10 lesser known facts about Irrfan Khan
Last updated on - Nov 30, 2017, 14:16 ISTShare fbsharetwsharepinshare
01/1110 lesser known facts about Irrfan Khan
Irrfan Khan is undoubtedly one of the most versatile actors in the Bollywood film industry. Unconventional looks, no filmy background, and no success story to him, this star still managed to make his way to the very top and stayed there. Irrfan is one actor who has made a name for himself from the ground up, brick by brick. So, on his special day, we bring you some interesting facts about him.
02/11His real name is Sahabzade Irfan Ali Khan
He was born in the village of Tonk in Jaipur, in a well-off family with royal connections. He has two siblings and his father was a wealthy Zamindar who wanted his son to join the family tyre business. Well, we're certainly glad that he didn’t.
03/11He added an extra ‘R’ to his name, hence the name Irrfan
Not many know that Irrfan actually added an extra 'R' to his name. And it was not a numerologist who suggested this, Irrfan did it himself. He likes the sound an extra 'R' gives to his name. Because Irrfan disliked his long name, he started removing words from his name which resulted in just Irrfan.
04/11He became an actor by chance
He wanted to be a cricketer but his parents disapproved of it. As if by a stroke of luck, he got a scholarship to attend NSD (National School of Drama). He was pursuing his Masters in Jaipur at that time. And he lied about having past theater experience to get in. By all means, it was a ‘good lie.’
05/11He was a final year student at NSD (1988) when Mira Nair chose him for a role in 'Salaam Bombay'
Another interesting fact that might come as a surprise is that Irrfan was a final year student at NSD when Mira Nair chose him for a role in 'Salaam Bombay'. Unfortunately, his role was cut-short during production because of his tall height.
06/11Irrfan almost quit acting
A TV regular from 1994 to 1998, Irrfan was so bored at one point in time that he thought of quitting. Had it not been for Asif Kapadia's 'Warrior', Irrfan would have probably quit acting and descended into oblivion. Thank the Gods that didn't happen!
07/11At 6 feet, 1 inch, Irrfan is one of the tallest actors in Bollywood
He might not look that tall but at 6 feet, 1 inch, Irrfan is one of the tallest actors in Bollywood. His height is the same as that of veteran actor Amitabh Bachchan. Who could've guessed?
08/11He turned down a role in blockbuster Hollywood film 'Interstellar'
He was offered a big role in the blockbuster Hollywood film 'Interstellar' but turned it down as he was expected to stay in the USA for four months at a stretch. A man of his words, he was committed to 'The Lunchbox' and 'D-Day' at that time.
09/11Julia Roberts stopped outside the Kodak Theater to compliment Irrfan
Well, this might come as a surprise but Hollywood actress Julia Roberts stopped outside the Kodak Theater (where the Oscars were being staged) to compliment Irrfan on his role in 'Slumdog Millionaire'. 'Slumdog Millionaire' is the film that catapulted Irrfan's image to a global level.
10/11Irrfan reads a lot
He reads a lot; almost one new Hollywood script per week to get a better understanding of how to play his roles better. He is so serious about his scripts that his wife, writer Sutapa Sikdar, had to rewrite some episodes of a show he was in, almost a dozen times.
