Irrfan Khan's co-star Imran Hasnee on the actor's last journey, 'I was Numb'

Irrfan Khan passed away on April 29, 2020 sending shockwaves in the nation. Actor Imran Hasnee was a close friend of Irrfan and was one of the few people who were present to pay last respects to the late actor. Imran recalls being there and says he had to take special permission and was numb. Read to know more.

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Imran recalls being at Irrfan’s last journey

In an interview with news agency, Imran Hasnee recalled his presence in Irrfan Khan’s last journey. He said that as the lockdown is on, he had to take special permission to go there. He said that he was so numb at that point of time but he had to go rushing to see his friend who stood by him for 20 years. He mentioned that there was a time limit and only a select number of people could gather, so they were hurrying up everything. 

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Imran Hasnee worked with Irrfan Khan in a number of films. This includes Bollywood film Paan Singh Tomar (2012) and Hollywood projects like A Might Heart (2007) and the much-acclaimed Academy Award-winning film Slumdog Millionaire (2008). Irrfan played the titular character in Paan Singh Tomar with Imran as his elder brother, Matadeen Singh Tomar.

Talking about the filming of Paan Singh Tomar, Imran Hasnee said that they shot that film under very tough weather condition in Chambal and Roorkee, and in the evening they usually would get tired. When they had the time they would go to a nearby club and play billiards. He mentioned that there is a village in Roorkee where villagers prepare fresh gur (molasses) and they used to go to have freshly made hot gur. That used to be delicious! He stated that Irrfan Khan went through so much training to get the right body and body language, but you never heard him extensively talking about how he built his body that you otherwise get to see among others.

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Irrfan Khan won Best Actor at the 60th National Film Awards for his performance in Paan Singh Tomar. Imran Hasnee said that he was not one of those people who would indulge in celebration for an award. He would find happiness in small things, like flying kites or playing cricket. He used to feel happy to be surrounded by his family and close friends

Imran Hasnee was asked how he would like to remember Irrfan Khan. He replied saying, through his performances. Imraan stated that Irrfan’s performance was an extension of spiritual expression. That is why there was a connection between the art and the artist. That is why he touched so many lives through his on-screen presence.

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