Every new comer to the film industry has big dreams in his eyes. This 6 feet tall, dusky skinned actor often visualized giving his mother a big black suitcase crammed with notes like gansters do in our Masala films. Still living up to his dreams, Irrfan Khan, the bollywood actor, generally known for acting in Art Films, turns 49 today!
Sahabzade Irrfan Ali Khan, born on the 30th November, 1962, to Jagirdar ans Sayeeda Begum in Jaipur, belongs to a Muslim Pathan Nawab fmaily. He was pursuing an M.A. Degree when he earned a scholarship to study at National School of Drama (NSD) in New Delhi in 1984.
After graduating in 1987, Khan moved to Mumbai, where he acted in numerous television serials like Chanakya, Bharat Ek Khoj, Sara Jahan Hamara, Banegi Apni Baat, Chandrakanta (Doordarshan), "Anoo Goonj" on Doordarshan" Star Bestsellers (Star Plus), and Sparsh. He was the main villain in a series called Darr (which aired on Star Plus), where he played the role of a psycho serial killer, opposite Kay Kay Menon. He also played the role of famous revolutionary Urdu poet and Marxist political activist of India Makhdoom Mohiuddin in Kahkashan produced by Ali Sardar Jafri. He acted in some of the episodes of Star Bestsellers (aired on Star-Plus).
Theatre and television kept him afloat until Mira Nair offered him a cameo in Salaam Bombay (1988) though his role was edited out in the final film. After many unsuccessful films, things changed when London-based director Asif Kapadia gave him the lead in The Warrior, a historical film completed in 11 weeks on location in Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan. In 2001 The Warrior opened in international film festivals, making Irrfan Khan a known face.
In 2003 he acted in Indian born writer-director, Asvin Kumar's short film, "Road to Ladakh". After the film received rave reviews at international festivals, the film is now being made into a full length feature, again starring Irrfan Khan. That same year he played the title role in the critically acclaimed Maqbool, an adaptation of Shakespeare's Macbeth.
His first Bollywood main lead role came in 2005 with film Rog. Thereafter he appeared in several films either playing the leading role or a supporting role as a villain. In 2004 he won the Filmfare Best Villain Award for his role in film Haasil. Eventually, he also started taking up neutral and comic roles. Few of his noted films are - Life in a Metro (2007), The Namesake (2007), The Darjeeling Limited (2007), Aaja Nachle (2007), Sunday (2008), Krazzy 4 (2008), Mumbai Meri Jaan (2008), Slumdog Millionaire (2008), Dil Kabaddi (2008), Billu (2009), New York (2009), Hisss (2010), Ye Saali Zindagi (2011), 7 Khoon Maaf (2011) and Thank You (2011).
Khan is married to Sutapa Sikdar, who is a NSD graduate as well, with whom he has two kids - Babil and Ayan. Recently, he has worked for Hollywood film The Amazing Spider-Man, about to be released in March 2012. With every film, Khan has been delivering his best and is looked upon for more by his fans and admirers.
FridayMoviez wishes Irrfan Khan a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!