Late actor Irrfan Khan was recognized for his highly effective performing performances, emotional depth, and flexibility. He had an extended and tough journey to recognition with a bumpy begin. One of the heartbreaking moments within the actor’s profession was when his function in Mira Nair’s Salaam Bombay (1988) was drastically decreased as a result of his physique did not match the character requirement, which left him devastated.
In 1986, whereas famend filmmaker Mira Nair was casting for Salaam Bombay, she visited the Nationwide College of Drama (NSD). Throughout her go to, Irrfan Khan caught her consideration because of his fascinating presence and intense focus throughout a workshop. Nair was impressed that she determined to forged the actor as a road child named Salim within the movie.
It was a dream come true supply for the then 20-year-old actor, the one one from his batch to be chosen for a characteristic movie earlier than finishing his research. He went to Mumbai and lived, hoping the chance would lay the inspiration for his profession. However, the dream ended earlier than it started as Mira realized Irrfan’s bodily look did not match the malnourished road youngsters the movie that she needed him to showcase within the movie
In consequence, simply two days earlier than the shoot, she needed to take away him and provides him a minor function within the movie drastically lowering his display screen time.
Talking concerning the incident to Indian Journal Open 2025, he as soon as shared, “I sobbed the entire night time when Mira advised me my half was decreased. But it surely modified one thing inside me. I used to be ready for something after that.”
Regardless of the setback, the filmmaker assured the Angrezi Medium actor that she would forged him at some point she fulfilled almost 20 years later in The Namesake in 2006. Throughout these years, the actor struggled so much, first in tv after which within the movie business, till he obtained a breakthrough with Vishal Bhardwaj’s Maqbool in 2004.
ALSO READ: Irrfan Khan was ‘egocentric’ in his private life, claims Sudhir Mishra: ‘He wasn’t boring, he was badmaash’