Bollywood lost one of its brightest star Irrfan Khan, when he died at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital on Wednesday (April 29) after battling a long illness. The 53-year-old actor, was admitted to the hospital on Tuesday for a colon infection.
Born as Sahabzada Irfan Ali Khan on 7 January, 1967 in the Rajasthan village of Tonk, the actor dropped the "Sahabzada" from his name as it pointed to his family's privileged past - he felt this would get in the way. He also changed his name from "Irfan" to "Irrfan" - not for any noble motive - but simply because he preferred the way it sounds.
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His mother's family had a royal lineage and his father was a wealthy, self-made businessman who owned a tyre business.
But do you know the actor also dropped the surname ‘Khan’ once he entered Bollywood.
Giving reason for the same in an old interview, Irrfan had said that he dropped his last name because he wanted his work to define him, not his lineage.
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"I dropped my surname when I joined the industry. I wanted my work and not my surname to fetch me recognition. I don’t believe in the power of a surname. What makes you powerful are your deeds and karma, whenever I go to my hometown, I still see people discussing how our forefathers did what they did, and how they are very proud of that. They are not responsible for their own choices. I feel sad. I feel what is the point of living in the past. You are alive. Your actions matter. Your actions and choices are going to make your life," Irrfan had said when asked why he dropped his last name.
Irrfan added, "It was a very conscious decision. At one point of time, I understood that it's us... it's our choices that write the story of our life. It's not our background, not my lineage, it's my actions and choices which will help me write the story of my life."
Meanwhile, the film industry took to social media to express sorrow as well as disbelief, and to express condolence to the bereaved family and to pray for his soul.