Irrfan Khan Birth Anniversary: 5 Critically Acclaimed Films of The Piku Actor

Updated on: 06 January, 2025 06:52 PM IST |Amruta Karulkar

Irrfan Khan, born on January 7, 1967, was known for his ability to embody diverse characters with depth and authenticity. These roles showcase Irrfan Khans incredible range and his ability to bring depth and authenticity to diverse characters. He had a knack for portraying ordinary individuals with extraordinary stories, leaving a lasting impact on audiences. Here are five of his most acclaimed films:

1. Hindi Medium (2017)

Irrfan Khan plays Raj Batra, a wealthy Delhi businessman who owns a successful garment store. He and his wife are determined to get their daughter admitted to a prestigious English-medium school. To achieve this, they go to great lengths, including pretending to be poor and living in a slum. The film is a satirical commentary on India's education system and the obsession with the English language and social status. Irrfan's portrayal of a flawed yet relatable father earned him widespread acclaim and several awards.

2. Piku (2015)

In this film, Irrfan Khan plays Rana Chaudhary, a taxi service owner who gets caught up in the quirky world of the Banerjee family. He becomes the driver for Piku (Deepika Padukone) and her hypochondriac father (Amitabh Bachchan) on their road trip from Delhi to Kolkata. Rana is the grounded and sensible one amidst the eccentricities of the family. His character provides a balance to the father-daughter dynamic, and his subtle romantic interest in Piku adds a heartwarming touch to the story.

3. Qarib Qarib Single (2017)

Irrfan Khan portrays Yogi, a quirky and charmingly unconventional middle-aged man who connects with a woman named Jaya (Parvathy Thiruvothu) through an online dating platform. They embark on an unusual journey together, exploring their past relationships and discovering new possibilities. Yogi is a free-spirited and somewhat eccentric character, and Irrfan brings his signature charm and wit to the role.

4. The Lunchbox (2013)

Irrfan Khan plays Saajan Fernandes, a lonely, widowed accountant living a monotonous life in Mumbai. A mistaken delivery brings him a lunchbox meant for someone else, which contains delicious home-cooked meals and letters from a young housewife named Ila (Nimrat Kaur). An unusual epistolary friendship develops between them through the lunchbox. Saajan is a quiet and reserved character who gradually opens up and finds a new sense of hope and connection through his correspondence with Ila. Irrfan's subtle and nuanced performance beautifully portrays Saajan's emotional journey.

5. Paan Singh Tomar (2012)

This film features Irrfan Khan in the lead role of Paan Singh Tomar, a real-life athlete who was a national steeplechase champion. Due to unfortunate circumstances and bureaucratic apathy, he is forced to become a rebel and eventually a notorious dacoit (bandit). Irrfan's powerful portrayal captures the transformation of a sportsman into a desperate outlaw. This role is considered one of his finest performances, earning him the National Film Award for Best Actor.