Sahabzade Irfan Ali Khan, a renowned Indian film actor, was born on January 7, 1967, in Jaipur, Rajasthan, to a Pashto-speaking Muslim family. His mother, Begum Khan, hailed from the Tonk Hakim family, while his father, Jagirdar Khan, from the Khajuriya village, ran a tire business. The Khan family name, which means "king" or great leader, has its roots in Turkish and Mongol languages.
Irfan's family has a rich history, with descendants of Genghis Khan adopting Islam and becoming the Moghuls, who ruled India for several centuries until British rule. The Khan family's cultural heritage is deeply rooted in their Pashto-speaking tradition.
In his early 20s, Irfan was a skilled cricket player, selected to participate in the CK Nayudu Tournament, a stepping stone to First-Class cricket. However, due to financial constraints, he did not participate and instead focused on acting. This decision marked the beginning of his illustrious career in the film industry.
Irfan's journey to stardom began when he earned a scholarship to the National School of Acting in New Delhi in 1984. His dedication to his craft earned him the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian honor, for his outstanding contribution to the field of arts.
Throughout his career, Irfan has received numerous accolades for his performances. His portrayal of Paan Singh Tomar in the biographical sports drama Paan Singh Tomar (2011) won him the National Film Award for Best Actor and the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor. His performance in the BAFTA Award-nominated romance The Lunchbox (2013) earned him widespread critical acclaim.
Globally, Irfan has appeared in films such as The Warrior (2001),The Namesake (2006),The Darjeeling Limited (2007),Slumdog Millionaire (2008),New York, I Love You (2009),The Amazing Spider-Man (2012),Life of Pi (2012),Jurassic World (2015),and Inferno (2016). As of 2017, his films have grossed $3.643 billion at the worldwide box office.
Irfan is married to Sutapa Sikdar, a Hindu of the Brahmin caste, whom he met in 1995. She is a movie producer, dialogue writer, and screenwriter, known for her work on films such as Khamoshi: The Musical (Dialogue Writer, 1996),Supari (Dialogue Writer, 2003),Kahaani (Dialogue Writer, 2003),Madaari (Producer, 2016),and Qarib Qarib Singlle (Producer, 2017). The couple has two children, Ayaan Khan and Babil Khan.
Irrfan Khan is known for his outspoken views on religion, often taking on Muslim fundamentalists and advocating for personal religious discovery. Despite facing criticism and threats of violence, he remains unapologetic and proud of his stance, stating, "to discover yourself, to find God." His wife, Sutapa Sikdar, has expressed pride in her husband's courage, saying, "We are very proud of him."
