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Home / Entertainment / Bollywood News / Photos / Irrfan Khan birth anniversary: 12 underrated roles that deserve a watch

Irrfan Khan birth anniversary: 12 underrated roles that deserve a watch

Updated On: 07 January, 2026 01:31 PM IST | Amarylisa Gonsalves

Late actor Irrfan Khan may have left us too soon, but his legacy lives on. Even in a relatively short lifespan, he left a mark with his talent, giving some of the best movies and performances that live rent-free in our minds and hearts. While he received a lot of acclaim for his performances in movies like Paan Singh Tomar, The Lunchbox, Piku, Hindi Medium, and Life in a...Metro, there are some underrated gems wherein the actor shone bright but went unnoticed. On his birth anniversary, here`s looking at some of Irrfan Khan`s most underrated films.

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Late actor Irrfan Khan may have left us too soon, but his legacy lives on. Even in a relatively short lifespan, he left a mark with his talent, giving some of the best movies and performances that live rent-free in our minds and hearts. While he received a lot of acclaim for his performances in movies like Paan Singh Tomar, The Lunchbox, Piku, Hindi Medium, and Life in a...Metro, there are some underrated gems wherein the actor shone bright but went unnoticed. On his birth anniversary, here`s looking at some of Irrfan Khan`s most underrated films.

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Late actor Irrfan Khan may have left us too soon, but his legacy lives on. Even in a relatively short lifespan, he left a mark with his talent, giving some of the best movies and performances that live rent-free in our minds and hearts. While he received a lot of acclaim for his performances in movies like Paan Singh Tomar, The Lunchbox, Piku, Hindi Medium, and Life in a...Metro, there are some underrated gems wherein the actor shone bright but went unnoticed. On his birth anniversary, here`s looking at some of Irrfan Khan`s most underrated films.
<p><strong>Puzzle</strong></p> <p>Irrfan played the role of Robert, an eccentric inventor, in the American drama film. He becomes Agnes` puzzle partner and friend, who finds a new world and sense of purpose through her puzzle-solving ability.&nbsp;</p>

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Puzzle

Irrfan played the role of Robert, an eccentric inventor, in the American drama film. He becomes Agnes` puzzle partner and friend, who finds a new world and sense of purpose through her puzzle-solving ability. 

<p><strong>Haasil</strong></p> <p>Irrfan played the character Ranvijay Singh, a student leader with negative shades in this 2003 film.</p>

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Haasil

Irrfan played the character Ranvijay Singh, a student leader with negative shades in this 2003 film.

<p><strong>Life of Pi</strong></p> <p>Irrfan played the adult Pi Patel, who narrates the story of his incredible survival at sea to a writer.</p>

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Life of Pi

Irrfan played the adult Pi Patel, who narrates the story of his incredible survival at sea to a writer.

<p><strong>Jurassic World</strong></p> <p>Irrfan Khan portrayed the character Simon Masrani, the billionaire owner of the theme park in the 2015 film. His role was one of his most notable ones since it broke the non-stereotypical representations of Indian actors in Hollywood.&nbsp;</p>

5/13

Jurassic World

Irrfan Khan portrayed the character Simon Masrani, the billionaire owner of the theme park in the 2015 film. His role was one of his most notable ones since it broke the non-stereotypical representations of Indian actors in Hollywood. 

<p><strong>The Namesake</strong></p> <p>This English-language drama was directed by Mira Nair, in which Irrfan played Ashoke alongside Tabu. The film was about the struggles of an Indian family navigating life and straddling two different cultures in the United States.&nbsp;</p>

6/13

The Namesake

This English-language drama was directed by Mira Nair, in which Irrfan played Ashoke alongside Tabu. The film was about the struggles of an Indian family navigating life and straddling two different cultures in the United States. 

<p><strong>Slumdog Millionaire</strong></p> <p>Irrfan Khan played the role of a police inspector, who plays a crucial role in the journey of the protagonist, Jamal in this Oscar-winning film. Although it was a brief role, he made a lasting impact with his performance.&nbsp;</p>

7/13

Slumdog Millionaire

Irrfan Khan played the role of a police inspector, who plays a crucial role in the journey of the protagonist, Jamal in this Oscar-winning film. Although it was a brief role, he made a lasting impact with his performance. 

<p><strong>Qissa: The Tale of a Lonely Ghost</strong></p> <p>Irrfan Khan portrayed the character, Umber Singh, a rural Sikh man displaced by the 1947 Partition of India, who obsessively desires for a male heir.&nbsp;</p>

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Qissa: The Tale of a Lonely Ghost

Irrfan Khan portrayed the character, Umber Singh, a rural Sikh man displaced by the 1947 Partition of India, who obsessively desires for a male heir. 

<p><strong>Inferno</strong></p> <p>Irrfan Khan played the character of Harry Sims, also known as The Provost the head of an enigmatic international organisation called The Consortium,in the final film of the franchise.</p>

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Inferno

Irrfan Khan played the character of Harry Sims, also known as The Provost the head of an enigmatic international organisation called The Consortium,in the final film of the franchise.

<p><strong>Tokyo Trial</strong></p> <p>Irrfan Khan played the role of Justice Radhabinod Pal in the 2016 Netflix miniseries, who was the sole Indian judge on the International Military Tribunal for the Far East.&nbsp;</p>

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Tokyo Trial

Irrfan Khan played the role of Justice Radhabinod Pal in the 2016 Netflix miniseries, who was the sole Indian judge on the International Military Tribunal for the Far East. 

<p><strong>Billu Barber</strong></p> <p>In a film dominated by Shah Rukh Khan, Irrfan Khan`s sincere and humble portrayal of Billu, a simple barber, makes his presence felt.</p>

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Billu Barber

In a film dominated by Shah Rukh Khan, Irrfan Khan`s sincere and humble portrayal of Billu, a simple barber, makes his presence felt.

<p><strong>Maqbool</strong></p> <p>Irrfan Khan played the titular character, who is a loyal henchman convinced to take over his boss`s empire.</p>

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Maqbool

Irrfan Khan played the titular character, who is a loyal henchman convinced to take over his boss`s empire.

<p><strong>The Amazing Spider-Man</strong></p> <p>Irrfan played Dr Rajit Ratha, the Director of Business Development in the Biogenetic Division of Oscorp in Manhattan.&nbsp;</p>

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The Amazing Spider-Man

Irrfan played Dr Rajit Ratha, the Director of Business Development in the Biogenetic Division of Oscorp in Manhattan. 

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