Irrfan Khan was in severe pain during shooting of last film, kept ‘shrinking’ reveals costume designer

A committed performer to the core, the late Irrfan Khan continued to work almost until the end of his life. The celebrated actor, who died in 2020, made his final on screen appearance in Homi Adajania’s Angrezi Medium. Years after the film’s release, costume designer Smriti Chauhan has revisited those emotionally charged days, speaking about the immense physical suffering Irrfan endured while remaining devoted to his craft. She revealed that as filming progressed, his health declined visibly, and there were multiple occasions when production had to be halted because he was simply unable to withstand the pain.

Recalling her experience, Smriti explained that Irrfan rarely complained, but he did confide one persistent discomfort. He constantly felt extremely cold and requested special warmers from a particular brand based in London. She arranged them immediately, sensing how fragile his condition had become. According to her, his body weakened rapidly during the schedule, and his frame visibly reduced with time. To maintain continuity and appearance on screen, the costume team repeatedly adjusted his outfits by adding extensive padding beneath the garments.

She further shared that the changes were not limited to heavy costumes. Even scenes that required him to appear in minimal clothing demanded additional padding because his strength was fading steadily. For summer portions of the film, where his character wore only a vest, concealed layers were carefully added to ensure he looked consistent. Despite these measures, his illness remained evident. His family stayed close by on set, offering support, and there were moments when Irrfan had to step away during filming because his body could not cope with the strain.


Smriti also remembered particularly difficult days when shooting had to be abandoned altogether. There were instances when Irrfan attempted to come to the set but physically could not make it, forcing the team to cancel work. His pain, she said, was overwhelming, yet his determination to keep acting never faded. She felt that he viewed acting not merely as a profession, but as the very purpose of his existence, something he wished to pursue for as long as he could breathe.

In 2018, Irrfan publicly disclosed that he had been diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer. After enduring years of treatment and hardship with remarkable dignity, the actor passed away in April 2020, leaving behind a legacy defined by courage, passion, and unwavering dedication forever.