Irrfan Khan’s death anniversary: Babil’s heart-wrenching notes to his late father – “He left before I could make him proud” |

Irrfan Khan will forever be cherished as an iconic performer in Indian cinema. Departing from this world, he left an indelible mark on the entertainment realm. Now, Babil Khan, Irrfan Khan’s son, is stepping into the limelight, recognized for his acting skills showcased in movies such as ‘Qala’ and ‘The Railway Men.’ Babil Khan has frequently expressed his affection for his father, the impact his father‘s guidance has had on his own life, and the invaluable lessons he has gleaned from the accomplished actor.
As we mark the fourth death anniversary of Irrfan Khan’s passing, let’s recall the moments when Babil shared memories of his father, Irrfan Khan.

“I wish I could have one last dance with you”

In February, Babil Khan remembered the occasion he spent with Irrfan Khan on a boat trip in a snowy landscape. He shared a picture of them standing on a boat, with Irrfan gazing to the side, while Babil looked into the distance. Sharing his feelings, Babil penned,“Nobody knew him like I did, nobody has known me like he did. It’s easy to say, to miss him, it’s easy. It’s easy to be cathartic and cry about losing him. It’s easy. Do you know what is hard? To remember the ecstasy in his voice when he would raise it in exaltation to scream “BABILUUUU!!!” every single time he’d see me. To remember then, how painful it would be to lose him for the stretches of barren time when he would be away shooting. It is impossible to bear the memory of how his beard felt on my fingers when I would scratch his cheek as he read his script or how my finger tips would rest gently on his eye lids when he took a nap. His voice, was brilliantly deep, yet it evoked nothing but a gentle prayer from me, a prayer that could only rise from one’s within when an external force has calmed your existential jitters to stillness. I wish I could have one last dance with you. “And to tell you, that without your lessons, I never would have survived.” I will look for you. I will find you again. Somewhere. Beyond.”

Holding hands with Irrfan Khan meant the world to him
In an interview with MensXP, Babil Khan reminisced about his childhood. He mentioned moments when he would some tomes lose sight of his father in crowded places during public outings. Babil recalled that even a brief moment of his father holding his hand meant the world to him.
He mentioned that when a bodyguard intervenes and leads his father away due to the rushing crowd, causing their hands to separate, it can be quite upsetting for a child. Babil explained that although he experienced physical distance from his father because of his busy shooting schedule, his father was always very loving and affectionate whenever he was around.

“I don’t like to laugh anymore”
In an interview with Indian Express, Babil Khan discussed how Irrfan Khan’s demise greatly affected his character. He stated, “A laughter that I have not experienced ever since he passed away. I used to laugh my heart out, I don’t laugh like that anymore. That’s such a strange thing. When you lose somebody you laugh with, you don’t ever laugh the same.”
“He left before I could make him proud”
In a conversation with Pinkvilla, Babil Khan expressed his desire for his father, Irrfan Khan, to be present and see his progress in both his personal and professional life, cherishing memories of Irrfan Khan in his heart. Babil remarked, “He left before he could see me grow. He left before I could make him proud, you know. I wish he was there to see where I have come as a human being, not professionally, just as a human being.”