'The Warrior' to 'Inferno': Irrfan Khan's most memorable Hollywood performances

Bollywood star Irrfan Khan, who brought a modern sensibility to his Bollywood films, passed away on Wednesday, aged 53. The death, after a prolonged battle with cancer, was confirmed by a spokesman who said Khan was surrounded by family at the time.

"He fought the many battles that came with it," read a line in his official statement, referring to the diagnosis of Khan's rare cancer condition in 2018.

Khan was among the first Indian actors to make a consistent mark in Western cinema, following in the footsteps of crossover pioneers such as Saeed Jaffrey, Roshan Seth and Om Puri. After making his international film debut with ‘The Warrior’, he went on quickly rise up the ranks to feature in several Academy Award-winning Hollywood films including ‘Life of Pi’, ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ and critically acclaimed films including ‘The Namesake’, ‘A Mighty Heart’ and even featured in world-wide box office hits.

Born Sahabzade Irfan Ali Khan in the western desert state of Rajasthan, in a family with no ties to cinema, we take a look at some of his prolific works in Hollywood.

Irrfan Khan took a giant leap outside the Bollywood film industry by making his international debut in British director Asif Kapadia’s 2001 film ‘The Warrior’. Set in feudal Rajasthan, the film adventure/drama went on to win a BAFTA for best British film and in turn introduced Khan to Western audiences.

In the 2006 film, ‘The Namesake’, Irrfan Khan won hearts for his role alongside Tabu in this magical and intensely moving film by director Mira Nair. Not only was the audience happy to tag along on the journey of this couple in a foreign land, but the Indian diaspora also found its voice that was elegant, articulate and real.

Giving us another adventure of a lifetime, Irrfan Khan played the perfect narrator as he shared the exquisite and unbelievable journey of his character Pi, from a zoo in Puducherry to his tragic voyage that saw him sail the Pacific with a Bengal Tiger. The film directed by Ang Lee won several prestigious awards globally and even took home the Oscar for Best Picture that year.

Irrfan Khan seamlessly transitioned into a popular Hollywood name with his commendable body of work. His dedication to his craft also helped bag him a role in the Angelina Jolie-starrer ‘A Mighty Heart’. Irrfan played a small but significant supporting role as a Pakistani intelligence officer opposite Angelina’s Marianne Pearl, the widow of the Wall Street journalist Daniel Pearl who was kidnapped and murder by Pakistani jihadis.

There when the gates of the theme park showcasing genetically-engineered dinosaurs reopened, our Bollywood star Irrfan Khan, who played the role of Simon Masrani, the CEO and owner of the new and improved Jurassic World. Although his character was quickly shaping up to be the best part of the film, he meets his sudden demise when he selflessly takes it upon himself to help ease the situation after a Rex escapes. Sadly his heroic mission is cut short when a flock of pterosaurs crash into his helicopter, creating a fiery explosion.

Irrfan Khan also featured as the grey shaded character Rajit Ratha in the Andrew Garfield led – ‘The Amazing Spiderman’. In a few but significant scenes, Irrfan’s character played an important part in turning the narrative around and in turn giving the friendly neighbourhood hero his nemesis in Doctor Curt Connors who becomes The Lizard after his regeneration formula gives him some unexpected side effects.

One of Irrfan’s most recent Hollywood films included his work on ‘Inferno’, co-starring with Tom Hanks and Felicity Jones. The Bollywood star played the role of Harry Sims, head of The Consortium, helping Bertrand Zobrist, a dangerously unstable billionaire geneticist who believed that rigorous measures were necessary to reduce the Earth's growing population.

Irrfan’s last Hollywood film is the 2018 drama ‘Puzzle’. In the film directed by Marc Turtletaub, Irrfan played the role of wealthy inventor and champion puzzler named Robert. While the film didn’t get its Indian release, Khan was given due credit for changing the tone of the film with his charismatic presence and the energy he brought to his role.