Irrfan's son Babil & wife Sutapa Sikdar attend IFFI Goa, call it a 'Beautiful catharsis'

Actor Irrfan Khan's wife, Sutapa Sikdar, on Friday walked down memory lane as she emotionally remembered times spent with late star and said, though he passed away too soon, he lived a fulfilling life. Khan, one of India's finest and most versatile actors with acclaimed performances in films such as Maqbool, Namesake, Paan Singh Tomar and Hindi Medium, died in Mumbai in April 2020 at of 54.

To pay tribute to his legacy, 51st edition of International Film Festival of India (IFFI) screened Khan's Paan Singh Tomar. screening was attended by Sikdar and son Babil. Sikdar said 2012 film, about an award-winning athlete who is forced to rebel against system, is an apt hom to Khan.

"IFFI couldn't have chosen a better film. It talks about a race, an athlete. To quote Irrfan's dialogue from film, ''you have to finish race. Wher you lose or win. You have to touch finish line. Irrfan's finish line came too soon. But he played well. We are proud of you Irrfan," an emotional Sikdar said, as Babil hugged his mor.

Babil also took to his Instagram handle to share picture of Irrfan Khan and wrote, "Today, I need to share this as @iffigoa me it possible to watch and hear him on big screen one more time, that to in Paan Singh Tomar. (This man exuded a younger energy than me in his late 40s even)" [sic]

Directed by Tigmanshu Dhulia, Paan Singh Tomar bagged two National Awards, one for best film and or for best actor, which went to Khan. At screening, Sikdar recalled attending movie gala with Khan when both were students in New Delhi.

Sikdar said duo would have ''cutting chai'' and "drown in conversations about cinema" after every film screening. "That was beginning. I remember Irrfan having dreams in his eyes. It''s a special moment. It's an hour and privilege to be appreciated, given a tribute by same institute- IFFI."

Sikdar said it was a "brave decision" for her to step out—her first public appearance since Khan's demise—but one that provided her a closure. "This is first time I've come out of home. I h to, because one needs closures also to walk ahe. IFFI is closure for me. It's like being re for what we have done 30 years ago as students.

"I am happy people are here even in today''s exceptional times. It feels nice that we are here toger to celebrate a person," she ded. On January 7, Khan's family, along with a host of Bollywood celebrities remembered late star on his 55th birth anniversary.

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(With PTI inputs)