An Ode to the Actor Extraordinaire
“I don’t know why, but it feels like a personal loss.” These words were shared on whatsapp groups, instagram stories, and tweets on April 29, 2020 when the devastating news of the untimely demise of a beloved actor Irrfan khan came out. Many of us went in a melancholic mode and felt too heavy to want to do anything. His face, words, dialogs, characters, and interviews popped up almost everywhere. This was expected, as he was someone who was tremendously adored and respected by even the most extreme anti-bollywood lot among us. Imagine being so brilliant in your craft, that even the critics fail to criticize.
I think we are not just his fans or admirers. There is a genuine connection between him and us. He was not some starkid enjoying fame before even uttering his first words. His humble beginnings, absence of a godfather in an industry that thrives on it, and unbearable struggles made his success story look more real and inspirational. A story that made us believe that talent, hard work, and constant learning can sometimes make our dreams come true.
His acting mesmerized us and his characters reminded us of ourselves. Irrfan Khan not just portrayed those characters; he lived them with all his sincerity. He made them feel real and less fictional. He breathed life in those stories and made us find extraordinary in the ordinary. He was able to alter us in subtle ways and yet take us on a therapeutic journey of self-acceptance. He mirrored our emotions and we could see them clearly in their most untainted form.
I remember watching “Namesake” long time ago. Being a fan of Jhumpa Lahiri’s books, I wanted Irrfan Khan to do complete justice to her character, Ashoke Ganguli. Now, I cannot imagine anyone else giving an ode to unsure yet resilient first generation immigrants in the pre-google era. A population torn between holding on to its roots and adapting to a new foreign world while surviving and raising families.
No one could play a quintessential Indian father better than him. The ones who don’t say “I love you” out loud much but show their love silently in their sacrifices and actions. The ones who watch you become your own person, while secretly hoping you would keep a part of them alive in you. The death of Ashoke Ganguli and his son going on a journey of self-exploration to finally accept his Indian roots and appreciate everything his father had done for him tugs at my heartstrings everytime I think about that movie.
I don’t know much about acting, but I have read that non-verbal parts of acting are much harder. The anti-establishment rage and unbearable grief he expressed through his eyes in “Paan Singh Tomar” after getting horribly betrayed by Indian judiciary system shook me up from within. His throbbing words “Beehad mein baaghi hote hai, dakait milte hai parliament mein” prance around my mind everytime I come across news of politicians failing this country.
I can go on about his fantastically layered roles and acting prowess. Right from playing a man grappled by ambition, falling for the wrong woman, and guilt in “Maqbool” to overwhelmed yet adorable father who wants his daughter to get the best possible education in “Hindi Medium”, he has done it all brilliantly and with full conviction.
His impressive filmography boasts of range and substance. It is almost impossible to pick a favorite. But if I have to pick one, it has to be his role of Rana Chaudhary in “Piku”. This was clearly Deepika Padukone’s movie, but I loved what Irrfan Khan offered in this movie that celebrated feminism and modern women.
How do you save a woman who isn’t a damsel in distress? Piku Banerjee is an independent 30 year old working woman who single-handedly manages her work, household, and single-parenting her aging single father. I loved how she doesn’t multitask like a sacrificial goody two-shoes. She is loud and agitated. She screams, shouts, and expresses her anger and exhaustion unabashedly while handling her responsibilities.
How do you help a woman who is self-assured and knows her self-worth? The one who isn’t desperately looking for a prince charming. The one who is truly confident and doesn’t have anything to prove to anyone. The one who doesn’t confuse having modern beliefs with wearing modern clothes all the time. The one who proudly wears her sarees, kurtis, bindis, and enjoys her glass of wine. The one who doesn’t mix having physical needs with the need to get married. The one who doesn’t see marriage as the ultimate goal for a woman and doesn’t tolerate men who aren’t worth her time.
Rana Choudhary manages to break through her walls without making any noise. A man who is clearly not from her world or her type, sees through her tough façade and opens her up in ways she never imagined. Who knew an Indian hero could be so restrained in his manners? Rana teaches Piku to let go by giving her the control of the steering wheel. His presence has a calming effect on her when her eccentric family is at its crankiest and weirdest. He stands up for her and speaks up for her only when he sees she is clearly exhausted of fighting. He allows her to let her guard down and ask for help without making her feel inept. He helps her deal with her father’s demise by being a genuine friend who listens.
Rana is a hero who isn’t focusing on outrageously flirting with the stunning woman and taking advantage of her vulnerable state of mind. He shows his support by playing badminton with her to take her mind off from mourning for a while. There is respect in his attraction. He knows she might never be romantically interested in him. He sees through her flaws and allows her to feel vulnerable within her boundaries. In a world, where some men blame women for “friendzoning” them or not reciprocating their advances in spite of being at their “best behavior”, Rana shines like a knight without a shining armor.
Irrfan Khan dismissed the notion that genius and kindness don’t have to go together. Looking at him walking on red carpets all over world, you can notice his glorious confidence, which never moved even an inch towards arrogance. He was unfazed by the superficiality and glitz of the entertainment industry. He moved with the times and stayed relevant for all movie watching age groups. His presence on social media platforms and parody videos without oversharing his life and trying too hard to stay in the limelight speaks volumes of the balance he was able to maintain in almost every aspect of his professional and personal life.
The news of his death hit us harder especially in such uncertain times. When there is death in the air, losing a loved and respected artist adds on to the hopelessness we are already struggling with. We are eagerly waiting for the time to be free from our cages. Till that time comes, I am going to remind myself of these lines from “Namesake”.
“Pack a pillow and a blanket and see as much of the world as you can. You will not regret it. One day, it will be too late.”
My humble tribute to the galaxy of talent in the world of stars. An unreal actor, who kept it real.
