'One grudge against Irrfan, he spoilt me for life', says Sutapa Sikdar; thanks doctors in London, UK for support

The death of Irrfan Khan has sent cinema-lovers in the country and across the world into mourning. From the US and the UK to Japan and across other nations, fans have recalled the actor’s contribution to the world of cinema.

Back home, his wife Sutapa Sikdar and sons Babil and Ayaan also remembered the man, husband and the father figure in their lives. Sikdar eulogised her late husband in a powerful, emotionally-charged statement which was released on Friday.

In the statement, Sikdar said that if there's one grudge she'll always hold against her late husband is that his strive for perfection wouldn't let her settle for anything ordinary. "There was a rhythm which he always saw in everything, even in cacophony and chaos, so I have learnt to sing and dance to the music of that rhythm, even with my tone-deaf voice and two left feet."


Sikdar said that she had learnt to see a harmony in cacophony when the 'dramatic entry' of the 'uninvited guests' happened. "The doctor's reports were like scripts which I wanted to perfect, so I never miss any detail that he sought for in his performance," she added.

She then proceeded to thank the doctors in UK for their support. Sikdar called the late actor an 'orchestra conductor' and compared their two-and-a-half year old journey with an act in a play, which had its own interlude, beginning, middle and culmination.

"I see my little family, in a boat, with both my sons Babil and Ayaan, paddling it forward, with Irrfan guiding them 'wahan nahi, yahan se modo' but since life is not cinema and there are no retakes, I sincerely wish my children sail this boat safely with their father's guidance in mind and through the storm,” the statement read.

Sikdar said the family will plant a night-blooming jasmine, Irrfan's favourite, where he was laid to rest “after a victorious journey”.

Sikdar also took to Facebook on Thursday and updated her profile picture with an image of the couple smiling at the camera.

"I have not lost, I have gained in every which way..." she captioned the picture.

Sikdar’s emotional message struck a chord with the late actor’s fans who are mourning his tragic demise. ‘You are a very strong and level headed lady....admire you!!!’ wrote one of the users. ‘Love & Prayers for you & family..’ commented another.

His son Babil also took to Instagram to thank everyone for their condolences. In an Instagram story, Babil expressed gratitude for the support extended to them in this hour of crisis. The teenager wrote, "I'm deeply grateful for all the condolences you beautiful friends are pouring in for me. Although, I hope you understand that right now I'm not being able to reply because my vocabulary is dizzy. I will get back to each one of you but just not right now. Thank you so much! I love you".

Khan, a National Award Winner who acted in films like ‘Life of Pi’, ‘The Namesake’, was diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumour in 2018. He later went to the UK for treatment.

The actor was last seen in the film ‘Angrezi Medium’ which was a sequel to his 2017 hit ‘Hindi Medium’.