Bollywood has few bright stars whoseextraordinary work reminds us that cinema is an immersive art. Last yearBollywood lost one such gem, Irrfan Khan. Each character he portrayed was soengaging and relatable to the general audience.
He once said that he is totally indisagreement with the idea that actors are ‘heros’ and believed that the audienceshould not at all feel inferior to the person they are watching on screen. In apromotional event for his movie ‘Qarib Qarib single,’ the actor said, “there issomething ugly in creating that disparity which reinforces the notion that I amsomething special. That is not my taste. I would rather leave acting”. The lateactor had different views on cinema and felt that TV leaves an unrealisticimpression on common people.
“television changed things for our society. Peoplestarted looking at the cinema in different ways, as though becoming a star wasa career by itself. But slowly I could see that people are finding them, heroes.They are not heroes. They are glamorous people. Sportsmen for instance areplaying sports and they should be valued and given importance but society shouldnot aspire to become just that. That’s a shortcut. There are real heroes whoaffect people’s lives. They work selflessly just to change people’s life. Thoseare heroes. For a healthy society, at least, aspirations should be directed inthe right direction”, Irrfan further added.
Irrfan beautifully spoke about the changingface of television and the attitude of the audience towards cinema. On April 29,2020 this legendary actor left a hole in the Indian film industry. His workwill always keep him alive in the audience’s heart.