(CNN) — Bollywood star Irrfan Khan, known internationally for his roles in “Life Of Pi” and “Slumdog Millionaire,” died Wednesday, his representatives confirmed. He was 53.
“It’s saddening that this day, we have to bring forward the news of him passing away,” read a statement from Khan’s PR agency, Hardly Anonymous Communications. “Irrfan was a strong soul, someone who fought till the very end and always inspired everyone who came close to him.”
Khan, one of India’s best-known and most beloved actors, revealed in March 2018 that he had been diagnosed with a rare neuroendocrine tumor — a cancer that affects specialized cells in the body.
Earlier this week, Khan was admitted to the intensive care unit at a Mumbai hospital because of a colon infection, according to his PR agency.
He leaves behind his wife of 25 years and two children. His mother died last week; Khan was unable to attend her last rites owing to India’s coronavirus lockdown.
Born in the northern Indian state of Rajasthan, Khan attended the National School of Drama in New Delhi and started his acting career soon after. After playing mainly supporting and character roles for more than a decade, he broke into leading roles in the early 2000s, starring in the 2004 film “Haasil.”
He rose to international fame when he played a police inspector in “Slumdog Millionaire” (2008), which won eight Academy Awards and seven BAFTA Awards.
He then took on a bigger starring role playing the adult Pi in “Life of Pi,” which won multiple Golden Globes and Academy Awards, and played supporting roles in major U.S. films including “The Amazing Spider-Man,” “Jurassic World” and “Inferno.”
In the third season of HBO’s “In Treatment,” he played Sunil, an immigrant math professor.
He started his career as Irfan Khan, then added an “r” to his first name in 2012, saying he liked the way it sounded.
News of his death on Wednesday prompted an outpouring of tributes and messages of condolences on social media, with fans, politicians, and other Bollywood figures commemorating his life and career.
“Irrfan Khan’s demise is a loss to the world of cinema and theatre,” tweeted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “He will be remembered for his versatile performances across different mediums. My thoughts are with his family, friends and admirers.”
Amitabh Bachchan, another Bollywood icon, said in a tweet that Khan’s death created “a huge vacuum.”
“An incredible talent, a gracious colleague, a prolific contributor to the World of Cinema .. left us too soon,” Bachchan tweeted.
The-CNN-Wire
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