Irrfan Khan wanted to establish THIS in his hometown Jaipur, reveals wife Sutapa Sikdar 5 years after his death: ‘We never had…’

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As a devoted admirer, I’ve always held Irrfan Khan in high regard for his exceptional acting skills that left an indelible impression on the world of cinema. His performances, marked by versatility and deep emotional depth, continue to resonate long after he graced our screens. Even though he is no longer physically with us, his cinematic journey serves as a constant source of inspiration for audiences across the globe. On this day that would have been his 57th birthday, his wife Sutapa Sikdar shared heartfelt reminiscences about him, keeping his legacy alive in our hearts and minds.

During her stay in Jaipur for the launch of the Irrfan Theatre Festival, Sutapa Sikdar disclosed to IANS that Irrfan Khan maintained a deep connection with his birthplace, Jaipur. In fact, he had long nurtured an ambition to establish an acting school in this very city.

Besides mentioning his acting talents, she revealed that Irrfan Khan harbored a deep love for agriculture and cultivating organic produce. Not only did he possess a mango farm situated in Maharashtra, but he also aspired to replicate such fruit plantations across various areas.

In her recollection, Sutapa painted the late actor as someone who was remarkably forgiving and gracious. She noted that he had nothing but positive words for his colleagues during work and never expressed discontentment over any situation.

As an ardent admirer, I can’t help but share this poignant tale about the extraordinary Irrfan Khan. In the twilight of his life, he embarked on a remarkable journey, completing no less than the 12-volume opus, The Complete Works of Vivekananda – a heartfelt gift from his cherished friends.

In quieter moments, I imagine him deep in thought, lost in contemplation, pondering life’s profound questions: Was he living with purpose? Did he truly embody the essence of his existence? These introspective musings, I believe, fueled his spirit and guided his actions.

Apart from highlighting his spiritual inclinations, Sutapa Sikdar mentioned Irrfan’s profound bond with Mahesh Bhatt, who introduced him to J. Krishnamurti, and other companions who helped draw Irrfan towards Osho. Irrfan felt that all individuals on a spiritual journey shared a universal spirit.

Instead of struggling in life, Sutapa asserted that the couple had never experienced hard times, instead choosing to say, “We’ve never had tough days.” They started their journey together on a bike, eventually moving up to a Land Cruiser.

As I reminisce, I can’t help but smile at the memories of our joyous bike rides. Those journeys, particularly the ones to my office in Lower Parel, Mumbai, hold a special place in my heart. We savored those moments of companionship, indulging in shared passions like delving into books and appreciating poetry.

She too pondered over Irrfan’s perspective that poverty wasn’t always a hardship, but rather the true challenge resides within one’s mind. Additionally, she expressed that Irrfan possessed an exceptional knack for narrating tales that touched people profoundly.

I found myself irresistibly captivated by the tale of Paan Singh Tomar – a story that struck a chord within me, echoing my firm conviction in poetic justice. On the other hand, there’s Maqbool, a cinematic masterpiece that left an indelible impression on me.

In April of 2020, the renowned actor Irrfan Khan succumbed to a courageous battle against a neuroendocrine tumor that lasted for two years. His loving wife, Sutapa, and their sons, Babil and Ayan, are left behind by this remarkable man.

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2025-01-07 10:08