In a poignant reflection on grief and memory, actor Parvathy Thiruvothu recently shared her thoughts on her Qarib Qarib Singlle co-star, the late Irrfan Khan. Speaking about the void left by his passing in 2020, Parvathy opened up about the struggle to process the loss of a man who was so deeply “excited about life.”
Reflecting on Grief and Loss
Parvathy highlighted how society often fails to address the reality of death and the long process of mourning. She expressed a sense of “survivor’s guilt” when thinking about Irrfan and her other late co-star, Puneeth Rajkumar.
“We don’t realise how lucky we are to be breathing, because it doesn’t make sense that I am alive and he is not. I don’t understand the logic of that.”
The “Bouncing Ball” of Energy
During the filming of their 2017 hit romantic comedy, Parvathy remembers Irrfan not as a somber veteran, but as someone entering a vibrant new chapter:
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Childlike Curiosity: She described him as a “bouncing ball” of energy who approached every day with wonder.
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New Beginnings: Irrfan often told her, “Abhi toh sirf shuruat hain” (It is just the beginning), reflecting his optimism for the future of his career and life.
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Kindness: Beyond his talent, she emphasized his gentle nature and the kindness he showed to those around him.
A Legacy That Spans Continents
Irrfan Khan’s journey from Salaam Bombay! (1988) to his final film Angrezi Medium (2020) remains one of the most respected in cinema history.
His Notable Body of Work:
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Indian Classics: Maqbool, Piku, Haider, and The Lunchbox.
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Global Blockbusters: Life of Pi, The Amazing Spider-Man, Jurassic World, and Inferno.
Despite being diagnosed with a neuroendocrine tumour in 2018, Irrfan fought the disease for two years with the same grace and “curiosity” that Parvathy recalls so fondly. He is survived by his wife, Sutapa Sikdar, and sons Babil and Ayan.
