Irfan will never be forgotten... .

- The team of 'Maqbool' salutes this amazing actor

- 'Irfan was a very brilliant artist. I was often jealous of him. I think when I was Irfan's age, I didn't develop the same understanding as him.'

Veteran actor Irrfan Khan, who fell in love with God four years ago, has given memorable performances in a number of films. One of these films was 'Maqbool'. Produced by Vishal Bharadwaj, Tabu, starring Pankaj Kapoor, Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri and Piyush Mishra, recently marked two decades since its release. Today, when Irrfan is no longer with us, the makers of this film, Vishal Bhardwaj and Naseeruddin Shah, commemorate the time of 'Maqbool'. When this film was 20 years old, he spoke a lot about the Jannatshin actor in a program called 'Irrfan: A Retrospective'.

Vishal Bharadwaj said, "When Maqbool was being made, we all seemed to be opening something inside ourselves. Despite this, Irfan was doing his work with ease. In fact, he understood very well what was not said - described in the script. All the work was being done in friendship. And it seemed as if something new was happening. Our feeling was 100% correct. The response that followed the release of the film proved that something unusual had happened.'

Vishal Bhardwaj also sang a song sung by Irfan in this program. The film maker said, 'This heavenly actor was very funny. He also did not miss impersonating the doctors who were treating him for cancer. At that time his wife Sutapa used to get angry with the actor saying, Tamiz se baat karo. Wo tumhara heal kar raha hai! I feel like I am incomplete without Irfan.'

When Naseeruddin Shah said on his first meeting with Irrfan, 'I met Irrfan for the first time when he was rehearsing a play with my wife Ratna (Pathak Shah). When I was introduced to Irfan, I was mesmerized by his eyes. At that time I had no idea of ​​the depth of his performance. Irfan had great love for me. And he was also very dear to me. We were not close friends though. Yes, I always admired his work.

The veteran actor further said, 'Irrfan was a very brilliant actor. I was often jealous of him. I feel that when I was Irfan's age, I did not develop the same understanding as him. I could not be such a fun actor then. However, it is certain that I did not like all his films, but yes, Irfan's work has never seen any rawness.'

Irrfan's wife Sutapa also told Sambharta at the time of 'Maqbool' that, 'It was being shot in Bhopal and at that time I became pregnant for the second time. My little son Ayaan was in my lap. Meanwhile, the doctors told me that my delivery could be premature. When I called Irfan and told this, he came running to me, though he was still worried about Vishal Bhardwaj. After he came to me he started telling the baby in my womb that Vishal Bhardwaj will suffer a lot if your padhramani comes early. So don't do that! To our surprise, Ayaan was born late. As if he had listened to his father - accepted it.'

Vishal Bharadwaj feels the loss of Irfan today. There are no two opinions about it, but her and Irfan's relationship was like a kitty-bitta from time to time. They did many films together but at one point they were separated for three years due to a disagreement between them. Later, when Vishal Bharadwaj was making 'Saat Khoon Maaf', he called Irrfan for a small role. And the actor also accepted the film without a second thought. Giving the reason for this, Irfan said that I had to convince Vishal Bhardwaj.

Long Live, Irfan!