MUMBAI: Irrfan Khan was buried in the presence of his wife Sutapa Sikdar and sons Aayan and Babil at 3 pm on Wednesday. The actor passed away after a long battle against neuroendocrine tumours.
The funeral was small due to the restrictions in place due to coronavirus pandemic.
The actor’s representatives released a statement that read:
Irrfan was buried at the Versova kabrastan in Mumbai at 3pm this afternoon soon after the news of his passing away was announced. In presence were his family, close relatives and friends. Everyone paid their final respects and mourned the loss of his passing away. We pray for his peace and we hope he’s in a better place today. He was strong in his fight, and we all have to be strong too in this loss.
It is the second tragedy for the family in less than a week.
The “Maqbool” actor lost his mother, 95-year-old Saeeda Begum, in Jaipur just four days ago and could not attend the funeral because of the nationwide lockdown.
Irrfan, that rare artiste who straddled multiple worlds, making his mark in both international and Indian cinema in roles intense and light-hearted, was admitted to the intensive care unit of the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital with a colon infection.
News of the death of the actor, who was diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumour in 2018, a rare form of cancer that attacks various parts of the body, was confirmed by his family in a statement.
“I trust, I have surrendered,” the family recalled him as saying when he was diagnosed with the disease.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Irrfan will be remembered for his versatile performances across different mediums. His demise is a loss to the world of cinema and theatre, Modi wrote on Twitter.
“My thoughts are with his family, friends and admirers. May his soul rest in peace,” the prime minister said.
The news of his death was first confirmed by his “Piku” director Shoojit Sircar who sent his condolences to the family and doffed his hat to the actor’s fighting spirit.
“My dear friend Irfaan. You fought and fought and fought. I will always be proud of you.. we shall meet again.. condolences to Sutapa and Babil.. you too fought, Sutapa you gave everything possible in this fight. Peace and Om shanti. Irfaan Khan salute,” the director said on Twitter.
“Piku” co-star Amitabh Bachchan remembered Irrfan as an “incredible talent” and a gracious colleague.
“… A prolific contributor to the World of Cinema… left us too soon… creating a huge vacuum…,” Bachchan tweeted.
Bollywood star Ajay Devgn, who shared the screen with the actor in 2008 comedy “Sunday”, said Indian cinema suffered an “irreparable loss” in Irrfan’s death.