Irrfan Khan Death Anniversary: 'The Namesake' To 'Life Of Pi' - Films That Made The Late Actor A Global Star

Late actor Irrfan Khan was one of the best actors the Indian film industry has ever witnessed. He made his debut with the Oscar-nominated Hindi film 'Salaam Bombay!' and went on to star in some of the most critically acclaimed films in India like 'Life in a... Metro', 'The Lunchbox' and 'Hindi Medium.' However, the actor's success was not confined to the boundaries of India. He performed exceptionally well in several international projects, which garnered him lots of recognition abroad and put him on the map of world cinema.

The ace actor passed away on April 29th, 2020 leaving his fans and loved ones in shock. On his 3rd death anniversary let's remember 9 such film roles of the actor that fetched him global recognition.

In this 2006 English language film, Irrfan captured the intricacies of Ashoke, an Indian immigrant struggling to make a living in another country while keeping his native culture alive, as a university professor with Bengali roots residing in the US.

Despite having little screen time in this 2008 film, Irrfan managed to make a name for himself as a crude police inspector who underestimated the lead character Jamal (played by actor Dev Patel) and berated him until he gained confidence and became a millionaire on a quiz show. The film went on to win several prizes, including eight Academy prizes, taking Irrfan to the global stage.

It has a Buddhist parable-like quality in the sense that it features a warrior who vows to give up the sword upon having an epiphany. Lafcadia (Irfan Khan) is an enforcer in the employ of a cruel Raja from Rajasthan who is sent to teach a village a lesson as its denizens aren’t paying taxes.

Irrfan appeared in the blockbuster superhero film in 2012, as the dominant Rajit, the supervisor of Dr Curt Connors who pressures him into a method that results in Connors becoming a man-lizard hybrid.

This comedy stars Owen Wilson, Adrien Brody and Schwartzman as three estranged brothers who agree to meet in India a year after their father's funeral. Irrfan has a relatively small role in this coming-of-age film.

Irrfan, who played the adult version of the protagonist character `Pi Patel` in this 2012 adventure-drama film directed by Ang Lee, was primarily heard rather than seen, working as the narrator. The film was a smash hit with critics and audiences alike, becoming one of the year`s highest-grossing films and earning four Oscars out of eight nominations.

Khan is in full Bond villain mode here, dapperly clad, carrying a variety of vintage knives and asking rhetorical questions to his assistants. He is the real flesh and blood character in the film, starting as a bad guy and after realising his mistake, willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for the greater good of humanity.

Irrfan`s screen personality was a treat to watch onscreen as Simon, the proprietor of the renowned dinosaur theme park. The film is one of the biggest commercial successes starring the late actor, showing that he was loved not just in his native country, but also crossed borders to become a true worldwide cinema legend.

Irrfan Khan plays a wealthy, eccentric inventor Robert who is intrigued by her unorthodox ways of puzzle-solving. He makes her his partner and the duo are content to spend long hours in each other’s company.