Just realized that today is the birth anniversary of Irrfan Khan. The actor who broke boundaries and glass ceilings to become one of the most appreciated actors from both commercial and artistic aspect of movie-making. One of the few actors who got into Hollywood and did pivotal roles. An actor who could get into the skin of any character and own it. An actor who could play a rich evil businessman and a small village dacoit with equal panache. A man who uplifted small content-driven movies with his brilliance and helped them achieve commercial success. Irrfan Khan epitomized the success story of a struggling actor that Bollywood so loves to glorify when the success has been achieved. In fact, it is sort of a chain reaction when success fuels more success and then everyone embraces it to get their pie.

Irrfan starred in several epic movies such as Piku, Paan Singh Tomar, The Lunchbox, Haider and so on. Wherever he went, he left a deep impression by his subtle acting skills. Acting skills that were very unlike Bollywood (not to say that Bollywood has bad actors) in the sense that they were mellow (had a peculiarity) and never felt outlandish. Also, there appeared honesty and truthfulness in his characters that was marked by sheer lack of over-enthusiasm such as displayed by some of the newbies of Bollywood when they seem to think they are acting. He indeed was a breath of fresh air and was liked by people of all age group.

It’s not wrong to say that the actor got his due late and that when he was at the peak of his career, ready to enjoy the stardom, health caught up with him. In my heart of hearts, I feel that success was slow in catching him and that he should have been a success much before had he got the opportunities earlier or if we as audience were matured enough for good content and acting; and demanded it. After all, audience taste is what drives everything including the opportunities.

Now that when the man is not with us, let’s pray that India keeps creating such talent and that such talent finds its way to the top sooner. Also, let’s hope Bollywood and Indian Cinema keep recognizing such talent and give them the opportunity to display themselves to the world. I think that is all such a talent wants and something that it should rightly get.