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NDTV
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
A Tigmanshu Dhulia-Irrfan Jugalbandi, Why Haasil Remains A Cult Classic 22 Years Since Its Release
"Tumko yaad rakhenge guru hum..." When Irrfan delivered that line with his trademark smirk, it felt like a promise, a threat, a mic drop wrapped in North Indian swagger. The kind of line that echoed through hostel rooms and college canteens long after the credits of Haasil rolled. And who can forget the poetic guerilla warfare threat: "Wo gunde hain. Sarkari gunde. Hum krantikari hain. Tum log gorilla ho. Gorilla war kiya jayega." Advertisement - Scroll to continue Twenty-two years ago, on May 16, 2003, Director Tigmanshu Dhulia's cult debut Haasil arrived and redrafted the Bollywood rules in UP slang. Pure cinematic chutzpah that sounded like a revolution wrapped in pan masala and gunpowder. Long before streaming platforms made "gritty realism" into a buzzword, Tigmanshu Dhulia, backed by Irrfan, Jimi Shergill, Ashutosh Rana and a pitch-perfect supporting cast, pulled out a folding chair, planted it firmly in the Hindi heartland, and asked: "Ready for the real show?" I remember when Haasil first hit theaters, it barely made a splash. It was quickly buried beneath flashier Bollywood fare. But like a stubborn seed, it cracked through the concrete of indifference, and bloomed into that rare cinematic species we now call a 'cult classic'. Especially for the audiences of North India, Haasil wasn't just a film, it was a political thesis disguised as a campus romance. So, what lies beneath the making of Haasil 's legend? The trigger point of Haasil was a small news item about a smooth-talking thug from Mathura chasing a college girl. The plot is deceptively simple: a small town where life moves in its steady rhythm, and a young man in love caught in a world of jealousy, corruption, and conflict at a politically charged North Indian university. Tigmanshu Dhulia assisted filmmaker Shekhar Kapoor and served as casting director for the acclaimed Bandit Queen. It was on Shekhar's urging that Dhulia moved to Mumbai. But when Shekhar left for Hollywood, Dhulia was left to chase his own filmmaking dreams. After years of writing and directing for television, Dhulia chose to set his first film in Allahabad, the city he grew up in and knew intimately. Jimmy Shergill and Irrfan Khan in a film still Finding a producer for his first film was a nightmare, but Dhulia didn't give up. He kickstarted the dream with a bit of crowdfunding. For the romantic lead, he was looking for someone who looked cultured, well-mannered, and sincere. When he met Jimmy Shergill at filmmaker Shaad Ali's house, he knew right away Jimmy was the one. Having lived in Lucknow, Gorakhpur, and Delhi, Jimmy instantly understood the story's vibe and rhythm. "I told Tigmanshu if I don't do this movie, I am going to haunt you...I have to do this movie because nobody can do this movie better than I do it. Nobody can make you feel the vulnerability," Jimmy says in an old interview from the making of the film. Then they auditioned for the female lead and were truly impressed by Hrishita's [Bhatt] performance. For the role of the right-wing student leader, Dhulia had only one name in mind: Ashutosh Rana. A junior from his days at the prestigious National School of Drama (NSD), Rana was on board right away. The choice made perfect sense. Ashutosh had a strong command over Hindi, the kind needed for fiery speeches and the forceful tone. The role demanded a certain authority and Dhulia knew exactly how to tap into Ashutosh's persona and play to his image. With most of the casting done, the key villain role was still open. Dhulia had his heart set on Manoj Bajpayee. Satya had hit big, and Manoj was a star. Dhulia knew that if Manoj said yes, the film would instantly gain weight and saleability. He went to Manoj and narrated the role. "Manoj listened and then gently turned it down saying he wasn't ready to play a villain at that point in his career," Dhulia mentioned in an interview with NDTV. Manoj's refusal left Dhulia with only one other choice, none other than Irrfan Khan. A casting choice that, in hindsight, feels less like a Plan B and more like fate stepping in. Irrfan had been quietly hustling for over a decade. Familiar on television, overlooked by cinema. His brilliance was waiting to be seen. It was as if Haasil had always belonged to him, and the universe was just waiting to reveal it. As the discussions over the film began, the title was also finalised, "I remember the title came to my mind at his rented Evershine Nagar flat... brainstorming twenty years ago," Dhulia had tweeted remembering Irrfan. There was no producer yet. The ones who promised to back the film, backed out. Dhulia had planned to shoot the film's climax at the iconic Kumbh Mela(2001) in Allahabad which was near. Dhulia recalled in a 2003 interview to during the film's release, " Haasil 's script had a certain deadline. The climax had to be shot at the Kumbh Mela... At this time, my friend Amita Sehgal, now the film's executive producer, got some money from her family and friends -- about Rs 4-5 lakh. We took our actors to Allahabad and shot the big scenes, the moving shots and everything and came back and edited the footage. Then we started showing this footage to people; that's how the film started." Irrfan Khan in a film still Dhulia used "guerrilla-style cameras" in the Kumbh and told the actors to run into the crowd. People around were confused, wondering who the guy was, running with a girl and shouting. The shots were wide and real, capturing the true energy of the Kumbh. The climax of Haasil was the first to be shot. The rest of the film followed. It wasn't plot-driven. There wasn't a rigid script; much of it lived in Dhulia's mind, meant to be improvised on set. Everything hinged on storytelling and the way characters spoke and interacted. As the shooting schedule drew near, Irrfan struggled to find the tone and mood the role demanded. Dhulia had chose Allahabad as the film's canvas, drawing on the city's authentic pulse to bring the story to life. Reflecting on those days in an old interview with Lehrein Retro, Irrfan recalled Tigmanshu's words: " Yaar Irrfan, role ko lah jana... In Allahabadi slang, lah jana means to utterly mesmerise everyone." Before shooting began, Irrfan wanted to spend time soaking in the city's vibe. He asked Tigmanshu to take him to Allahabad early. Once there, he began meeting students and university leaders to soak up the character's true colours. But when Tigmanshu reached Allahabad to shoot his debut film, he was met with a storm of hostility. Local authorities and some student leaders of Allahabad University didn't let him film on campus. Reflecting in an old interview, Tigmanshu had recalled, "I faced immense struggles making this film, releasing it, and bringing it to the audience. I grew up in Allahabad, and yet when I arrived there to shoot, I found a calculated political game in motion-a carefully woven conspiracy. I had come as an excited kid making his first film in his own city, but what happened to me was nothing short of sabotage. Those opposing the shoot told me-something I learned later-that I couldn't portray the university in a negative light. That's why, in Haasil, I made the choice never to name the city. Nowhere in the film do I mention Allahabad." This was a time of intense turmoil for Dhulia. He battled tirelessly to convince everyone, but couldn't shoot the film extensively in the city as he had envisioned. Yet, it was in this storm of setbacks, shattered plans and Dhulia's unwavering courage that Irrfan found a spark and his inspiration. He recalled in a 2003 interview to Lehrein Retro, "When we went to Allahabad, it happened that they said, 'You must leave, you can't shoot here... pack your bags and go back... and who knows when we'll shoot again... what will happen... because we don't have the budget to keep coming back over and over.' The way Tishu handled that situation mujhe pahli baar bahaduri shabd ka arth samajh mein aaya our mujhe laga kaise lah jana hai role ke liye (that's when I first truly understood what bravery really means. And I thought, this is exactly how I need to approach this role and mesmerise everyone." And mesmerise he did, leaving everyone spellbound as Ranvijay Singh. Later, many university scenes in the film were actually shot at locations in Pune and Mumbai, cleverly transformed to resemble Allahabad University. But the spirit of Allahabad was there unmistakably. Haasil broke the Bollywood mould with its raw, unpolished vibe unlike the cliches Bollywood is known for. Dhulia's sharp, off-the-cuff Allahabadi banter was utterly captivating. In a way, Haasil was like Romeo and Juliet, but set against student politics, simmering caste rivalries, power struggles, and sharp Allahabadi one-liners. Remember the scene when Ranvijay (Irrfan) teases an angry man holding a gun- "Ek baat suno pandit, tumse goli woli na challai. Mantar phoonk ke maar diyo saale." Irrfan crafts a villain that's cool yet reckless, charming yet menacing delivered with effortless confidence. Take this line: Tiwariji aap mast rahiye, jyada phantom na baniye. Or Gaurishankar's sharp threat to Ranvijay: " Do minute ka maun hoga tumhari yaad me. Tumhare launde aakar gana gayenge - 'Chalte chalte mere yeh geet yaad rakhna.' Bas! National holiday hoga ka tumri yaad me?" Or the unforgettable exchange between Ranvijay and Anirudh (Jimmy Shergill): Ranvijay: Matlab sex -vex ho gaya kya?? Aniruddh: Nahi bhaiya, usko is nazar se nahi dekha kabhi. Ranvijay: Nazar ka hi toh khel hai sab. Warna saala dil toh humara bhi saaf hai. Bhagwan ne humein aisi aankhein de di hain, kya kahein! Irrfan Khan embodied the brooding anti-hero. His eyes did half the acting. His pauses did the rest. His restrained dialogue delivery felt less like lines and more like slow, deliberate daggers. Even the side characters who were usually irrelevant in Hindi films felt important. Like everyone had a motive and a moment. Haasil also gave Hindi cinema a dialect and a texture making the Hindi heartland feel raw, real, and effortlessly cool, years before streaming platforms caught on. And the great thing was that telling the story of a region where abuses are practically punctuation, the film told its story without using any expletives. The shooting was over. But the journey of releasing the film wasn't easy. Despite the buzz from industry screenings and trial shows organised tirelessly by Tigmanshu Dhulia, the film found no takers. "At every trial, people loved what they saw," Dhulia recalled. "But they all asked the same question-'There's no star. How will it run?'" The original producers had backed out. It was only later that Shyam Shroff of Shringar Films stepped in and gave Haasil a lifeline. Made on a modest budget of Rs 4 crore, Haasil released quietly on May 16, 2003, with barely any promotion and minimal publicity. Critics praised the performances, especially of Jimmy, Ashutosh and Irrfan, but weren't too kind to the story and script. Theaters didn't see packed houses. But slowly, something began to shift. Haasil caught fire, and gradually, genuine applause began emerging from the viewers, from college dorms, hostel corridors, and chai stalls across the Hindi heartland. Word spread. Lines from the film became inside jokes. The character of Ranvijay became Irrfan's breakthrough, searing into screens and hearts alike. In the years that followed, Haasil earned the rare title of a 'cult film'. And perhaps, a trace of this character quietly echoed in many of Irrfan's performances that followed. In an interview, Tigmanshu Dhulia was asked when he first realised his debut film had turned into a cult movie. He answered, "The moment the calls started pouring in. The offers to sign me for new projects. When ' Haasil fan clubs' sprouted up on Orkut (a social media platform now defunct) overnight. Suddenly, everyone from university halls to college corridors was buzzing about the film's dialogues. Even stand-up comedians like Raju Srivastava and Sunil Pal were mimicking Irrfan's character on TV, and it blew up. That's when I knew something had clicked." For some reason the film wasn't sent to the National Awards but Irrfan went on to win the Filmfare Award. Long before the accolades, he alone knew this was the breakthrough he had been waiting for. After watching a few scenes in the editing room, Irrfan had declared that this villain will be remembered like Gabbar Singh of the iconic Sholay. Maybe not quite, but Haasil did for Irrfan what Sholay did for Amjad Khan. It marked him as a powerful new presence on big screen. At the time of Haasil's release, Irrfan had reflected, "People won't be able to forget my character in this film. It will stay with them for days. This is the true reward for all my years of hard work and struggle." If you read the interviews of Tigmanshu Dhulia or the reviews, you'll realise no one, during the making or right after its release, sensed the impact Irrfan would have. But Irrfan felt it in his bones. Though not his first role, Haasil truly introduced us to his powerhouse talent. Despite its commercial failure, Haasil gave Dhulia a strong foundation to build many memorable films in the years ahead. Twenty two years later, the lines from his debut are still quoted. The scenes are still revered. And the legend of Haasil lives on, not in box office numbers, but in the hushed awe of every fan who stumbled upon it and whispered, "Ab toh yeh jung hogi." Share
India.com
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
Meet actress who made debut with Shah Rukh Khan, was Shahid Kapoor's first heroine, later quit industry due to..., her name is..., married to...
Meet actress who made debut with Shah Rukh Khan, was Shahid Kapoor's first heroine, later quit industry due to..., her name is..., married to... In the unpredictable world of Bollywood, fame is always fleeting. A celebrity who would be winning hearts one day might become totally irrelevant and vanish in thin air the next day. However, in a place where many celebrities come and go, there are a few celebrities who remain etched in our memory despite their active contribution to the industry. There is one such actress who is an example of this. Starring opposite big names like Shah Rukh Khan and Shahid Kapoor, this girl wasn't a household name or a blockbuster star, but her early work in Indian pop culture and cinema is still remembered by people who grew up watching her films. Born on 10 May 1981 in Mumbai, Hrishitaa Bhatt made her debut in the film Ashoka (2001) in which she appeared with the 'Badshah' of Bollywood, Shah Rukh Khan. For this film, Rishita also received the Zee Cine Award for Best Debut Actress. Her next film was 'Dil Vil Pyar Pyar' (2002) which was liked by the people, but it didn't make a mark at the box office. After this, Hrishitaa worked in films like 'Jawani Diwani', 'Shararat', and 'Haasil' However, the performance that rose Hrishitaa Bhatt to fame was when she appeared in a hugely popular music video 'Aankhon Mein Tera Hi Chehra' by the Aryans. The song, which came out in 1999, was a blockbuster and Shahid's first appearance in front of the camera. Shahid was only 17 when he had his first on-screen romantic pairing with Hrishitaa, who became his 'first heroine' — a tag that has remained with her over the years as Shahid became one of the leading Bollywood actors. With the success of the music video, Rishita moved over to films. She made her entry into Bollywood in 2001 with Asoka alongside Shah Rukh Khan. In the subsequent years, Rishita acted in movies such as Haasil, Shararat, and Jawani Diwani, sharing screens with the stars Jimmy Shergill and Hrithik Roshan. Although Hrishitaa worked with top names in Bollywood and was a powerhouse of talent, she couldn't make a mark in massy films or become a household name. Coming to her personal life, Hrishitaa tied the knot in 2017 with Anant Tiwari top diplomat for the United Nations, in an intimate wedding ceremony with only her family and friends as guests. Today, she stays low-key but active on Instagram, where she has a following of more than 1 million fans. Although she is not acting anymore, her ageless beauty and poise continue to mesmerize her dedicated fans.
Time of India
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Did you know Babil Khan once SPAT chewing gum on his late father Irrfan Khan's face?
Babil Khan, son of the late Irrfan Khan, reminisces about his father's legacy and their bond. He recalls a mischievous childhood incident where he accidentally spat chewing gum on Irrfan's face during a film shoot. Babil also shared a heartfelt tribute on the fifth death anniversary of his father, remembering Irrfan's strength and grace in facing life's challenges. Babil Khan , son of the late legendary actor Irrfan Khan , made a heartfelt entry into Bollywood with his debut film Qala. Even five years after Irrfan's passing, Babil continues to remember his father with deep love and emotion. While his Instagram account is filled with priceless childhood memories and touching tributes to his "baba," Babil has often spoken about the bond they shared. A Mischievous Childhood Memory However, did you know that he once spat chewing gum on Irrfan Khan's face? Yes, you read that right! In an interview with RavanSpeaks, Babil Khan recalled a memorable childhood moment from when he visited one of his father Irrfan Khan's film sets. At the time, young Babil didn't fully understand what his father did for a living. He shared that he was a mischievous child, often running around the set without a clue about the seriousness of the work going on. In a candid confession, Babil recounted how he once accidentally spat chewing gum onto his father's face during a take. Instead of getting angry, Irrfan calmly used the moment to explain the importance and cost of filmmaking, helping his son understand the value of the craft. Irrfan Khan's Legacy: A Cinematic Icon Irrfan passed away in 2020 after his tough fight with a neuroendocrine tumour and was known for his work in both Bollywood and Hollywood. His filmography includes Piku, Life In A Metro, Haasil, Paan Singh Tomar, Maqbool, Haider, The Amazing Spider-Man, Life of Pi, and Jurassic World. Babil's Emotional Tribute on Irrfan's Fifth Death Anniversary On April 29, 2025, as the world marked the fifth death anniversary of Irrfan Khan, his son Babil paid a heartfelt tribute, reflecting on the strength and grace with which his father lived. Remembering Irrfan as both a warrior and a gentle soul, Babil spoke of how his father faced every challenge life threw at him—whether he wanted to or not. In a deeply emotional statement, he said, 'Baba walked this earth, swam the waters, marched into battles that were thrown at him regardless of his wishes. He was a warrior with a heavy foot that transformed into a prophet with steps so light he could walk on air.' His words captured the essence of Irrfan's resilience, humility, and the lasting impact he left behind. Irrfan Khan's Battle with Cancer and Untimely Passing In 2018, the versatile actor Irrfan, who was known to bring life to his characters, was diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer . He was treated in the USA for a year, and in 2019, he came back to India. Irrfan was then admitted to Mumbai's Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, where he was treated for his colon infection. Sadly, at the age of 53, the stellar actor passed away, leaving behind his sea of fans with his body of work and memories engraved for a lifetime.
Time of India
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Shoojit Sircar recalls Irrfan Khan; says, 'I just feel some of his best work was yet to come'
, this name is synonymous with versatility, dedication, and devotion. His love for his craft and passion for his work were reflected in every role he played, in every character that he brought to life. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Though a couple of years ago, Irrfan left the mortal world, he left behind a legacy of cinematic gems. However, according to , who was a dear friend of the actor and worked with him in ' Piku ,' Irrfan had more movies in him; his best was yet to come Speaking to us, Shoojit Sircar confessed how he really wanted to work with Irrfan Khan more. 'I would have done anything,' he mentioned. Remembering the late star, he added, 'I think I just feel some of his best work was yet to come.' He quoted all the work that Irrfan did in his career span were 'extremely rewarding.' 'But I think his best was just about to come,' emphasised the filmmaker. In our conversation, Shoojit narrated how his first meeting with Irrfan was a brief encounter. 'I met Irrfan through . The two had done 'Haasil.' I was doing my first film, and I wanted to meet Jimmy Shergill, who was in 'Haasil.' During that time, I had a very brief meeting with Irrfan - a purely a hello, hi meeting,' said Shoojit. He continued, 'Then I think, one day suddenly he called me up, he said, I want to speak to you. He came over and we sat, and because we were working on a similar script, similar subject, and then we connected. Irrfan wanted to know my treatment of my film and everything else, and I told him. He told me his treatment, and that's how we connected instantly.' Speaking further about the bond they shared, Shoojit said, 'I mean there was something, I know this for a fact that something else hooked us, you know, something else it was beyond words that I can't explain, that made us sit together, talk for hours and hours.' Tired of too many ads? go ad free now After Irrfan, Shoojit is planning to work with his son, Babil. He described him as a 'brilliant boy,' and said, 'Soon you will see me collaborating with him.' Audience already look for Irrfan in Babil and it would be a treat for them to see him working with the 'Piku' filmmaker.
Indian Express
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Remembering Irrfan Khan on his fifth death anniversary: What Naseeruddin Shah, Tom Hanks, Vishal Bhardwaj said about the ‘coolest guy in the room'
'Why did he die so young?' a character in Varun Grover's Superboys of Malegaon asks as she watches Bruce Lee pack solid punches on the big screen. In response, Adarsh Gourav's character, an amateur filmmaker, looks at the screen and, in a very matter-of-fact way, says, 'He is not dead. Just watch! See how he is kicking.' Watching this scene freshens up the memory of Irrfan — an artist whose presence his fans and loved ones continue to feel with every film they rewatch. They find him alive and kicking on screen, and for a fleeting moment, it feels as though he is still here, sharing life with them. Irrfan had an unparalleled ability to be personally present with each member of the audience, simply through the sheer conviction of his performances. Even five years after his passing, his films still evoke the same intimacy and connection. Though a deeply private person, some of Irrfan 's associations in the Hindi film industry lasted a lifetime. Many of his close collaborators, too, found it difficult to imagine cinema without him. Here's how they shared memories of the late actor: Baap re baap Irrfan kya cheez hai: Tigmanshu Dhulia The audience first began to recognize Irrfan Khan through his work in Tigmanshu Dhulia's films like Paan Singh Tomar and Haasil. Tigmanshu and Irrfan's association dates back to their days at the National School of Drama (NSD), where Irrfan was two years senior to him. They formed a bond over their shared love for classic films. The filmmaker once recalled that Irrfan wasn't a particularly good actor during the early days at NSD. However, with time, he honed his craft and stunned everyone with his performances in plays. In an earlier interview, Tigmanshu said, 'Irrfan wasn't a good actor in his class when I met him but after one or two plays, they realised baap re baap ye kya cheez hai. I also saw Irrfan as the best actor and he never let me down in this department.' In a conversation with Mukesh Chhabra, Tigmanshu further shared how Irrfan's unique way of looking at life made him a truly great actor. He said, 'Irrfan could do anything except dancing. He understood life and he saw life through a positive lens. You can't be lifeless when you are an actor and he was full of life. That's why he was a live actor. He did magic on screen and people believed in that magic. Because he was able to do this, he had a connection with the audience. He had a purity inside as a human being and that's why he achieved this.' Bring Irrfan back, it's tough to survive without him: Shoojit Sircar Director Shoojit Sircar and Irrfan Khan's professional collaboration was limited, with Irrfan starring in Shoojit's much-loved film Piku. However, their bond went far deeper than just their work together. Shoojit was among the few people who frequently visited Irrfan during his cancer treatment. During those visits, Irrfan often confided in him, sharing his innermost thoughts about spirituality and life. The two would even meditate together. Shoojit recalled how Irrfan 'fought hard' against cancer and how his passing left a profound void in his life. Speaking on Unfiltered with Samdish, Shoojit said, 'It's difficult to find such a genuine man in the film industry. He had a different kind of humanism. He still had that sparkle in his eyes and a smile on his face.' Shoojit also revealed that after working with Irrfan in Piku, he couldn't imagine collaborating with anyone else. He had even envisioned casting Irrfan in his next film, Sardar Udham. 'After I worked with him once, I thought now I will only work with him. Main toh bol raha hoon usko laa de wapas, usko leke aao (I am saying bring him back). Irrfan should come back. Uske bina mushkil hai, survive karna (It's tough to survive without him). I miss him in every film now, every film that I do. There was something Godliness about him.' I wished that when I was Irrfan's age, I had been that good: Naseeruddin Shah During his theatre days, Irrfan Khan looked up to Naseeruddin Shah as his inspiration, striving to imbibe Shah's craft into every performance. Over time, the admiration became mutual. After working with Irrfan in Vishal Bhardwaj's Maqbool, Naseeruddin Shah found himself in awe of the younger actor. Following Irrfan's passing, Naseeruddin penned a heartfelt tribute, admitting that while a young Irrfan once tried to emulate him, it was he who ultimately envied Irrfan's brilliance. He wrote, 'I wished that when I was his age, I had been that good. I really admired him in an unqualified manner. I don't think there is another actor I admired as much as I admired Irrfan. But that was not just because of his acting. He was also a gentle, affectionate and generous man.' Reflecting on what made Irrfan's performances so remarkable, Naseeruddin wrote, 'When you watched him act, you felt as if you could read his mind. He never made an effort to reach you. This is a strange paradox about Irrfan as an actor. An actor always makes efforts to reach out to his audience. Irrfan knew the audience would reach out to him.' Irrfan was always alive: Mira Nair Mira Nair was the first filmmaker to give Irrfan Khan his break in films with Salaam Bombay! (1988), but she was also the first to break his heart when she had to cut down his role. Irrfan was devastated when he realised that his extended part had been reduced to a tiny scene, and he cried over the setback. However, Mira later made it up to him by offering him a career-defining role in her 2006 film The Namesake. After his passing, Mira spoke fondly of the actor, saying, 'To speak of Irrfan Khan in the past tense is virtually impossible because Irrfan was always alive. He was alive to life, whimsy, and friendship, alive to the street child. Irrfan was one of the most beautiful listeners I have ever known. He listened beautifully and harnessed it into his art.' Irrfan is the coolest guy in the room: Tom Hanks Who could possibly intimidate Hollywood's two-time Oscar-winning actor Tom Hanks? The answer is Irrfan Khan. The actor — whose body of work in the West remains arguably the finest by any Indian artiste — left Tom Hanks in awe during the making of their 2016 film Inferno. Speaking at one of the film's promotional events, Tom had said, 'Here's what I hate about Irrfan KhanI always think I'm the coolest guy in the room, and everybody's hanging on to every word I say and everybody's a little intimidated to be in my presence. And then Irrfan Khan walks into the room. And he's the coolest guy in the room.' While Irrfan performed quietly and effortlessly in the film, Tom couldn't help but take acting notes from him. He recalled telling Irrfan, 'As soon as I walked up to him I said, 'Irrfan Khan, I'm going to steal from you everything I possibly can. I'm going to start speaking very quietly in films. I'm going to wear very nice suits. And I will draw out the last sound of every sentence that I say.' And by doing that, I will be doing a very pale imitation of the coolest guy in the room.' A part of me has died with him: Vishal Bhardwaj Vishal Bhardwaj and Irrfan Khan shared a deep bond. They worked in films like Maqbool, Haider, and 7 Khoon Maaf. During Irrfan's last days, the two stayed closely connected, with Irrfan often sending Vishal recordings of himself singing lullabies to cope with his pain. ' Ab aapko meri acting ke saath mera gaana bhi sunna padega (Along with my acting, you'll have to listen to my singing as well),' Irrfan would tell Vishal. The filmmaker even wrote a script around Irrfan and sent it to him in order to stay connected. After Irrfan's passing, Vishal was devastated. He wrote on social media, 'I feared that he would be gone much before his time but didn't expect that it would be so devastating and ravaging to me personally. It feels as if I am torn into two parts. A part of me has died with him.' Talking about the void Irrfan left behind, Vishal told Pinkvilla, 'You miss Irrfan in every film. Every film I see, I make, when I see good cinema I miss Irrfan. That is the biggest loss, personal loss to me, and I think for the whole industry.'
