Irrfan Khan gets candid on his projects in 2008

Irrfan Khan's career is going great guns!

While Sunday didn't quite set the box office on fire, his equity has been rising constantly.

And now Irrfan is in multiple-movie deals with two leading production houses.

"That's right," informs Irrfan. "While I'm committed to do two films with UTV, I've signed a deal for several films with Sanjay Gupta. In addition to this, I'm also doing a film with Milan Luthria, the director whom I've admired for a long time."

It does look like a full plate for Irrfan in 2008.

"It is! And I'm happy to be working in all kinds of films from a comedy like Rakesh Roshan's Krazzy 4 to a drama like Sunny Deol's Right Ya Wrong.

I like the idea of doing films with big banners because, you're ensured high visibility. I'm enjoying this new phase, where I'm working with people like Sunny and Mr. Rakesh Roshan for the first time."

Not that Irrfan has forgotten his authentic roots.

"In Nishikant Kamath's Mumbai Meri Jaan, I play a South-Indian coffee seller on the roads. That's as real as it gets," informs Irrfan.

Irrfan Khan: Best among his Hollywood co-stars in Wes Anderson's Darjeeling Limited

Two months after the release of Irrfan Khan's latest international film, The Darjeeling Limited, which was shot in India, the verdict is out.

In a brief role, the fast-rising Indian actor has beaten his well-known co-stars namely Owen Wilson, Jason Schwartzman and Adrien Brody!

While the reviews have largely panned the film and performances, Irrfan has been singled out for praise.

The Times, UK says, "There's only one performance that rings true in this shambolic odyssey. It's incidental and it's played by….Irrfan Khan."

But the downsized part could be a downer for the actor's fans.

The international audience which warmed up to Irrfan's scintillating performance in Mira Nair's The Namesake and Michael Winterbottom's A Mighty Heart, are disappointed by the length of Irrfan's role in his new international film, British director Wes Anderson 's just released comedy, The Darjeeling Limited.

Irrfan, who now wants to do only centralized characters, has a walk-on part n this film. How come?

"Yes, the role in Darjeeling Limited is small. But it's a very decisive moment in the script and the critics have loved my work. Even an actor of Bill Murray's stature has a walk-on part in this movie.

So, I see no reason for audiences or me to feel let down. I did it with my eyes open. I wanted to work with director Wes Anderson ever since I saw his earlier comedy, Rushmore. And you know what? He wrote this role especially for me!" says Irrfan.

Irrfan sure has come a long way.

"I don't know about that," he shrugs. "For me, international recognition isn't a be-all. I'm currently shooting with Sunny Deol and it's a dream-come-true for me to be working with him."

Irrfan in Aditya Bhattacharya's comedy film, Dubai Returned

Irrfan Khan is a little tired of playing serious characters and happily moves to his first comedy named Dubai Returned.

Says the actor: "The film directed by Aditya Bhattacharya is ready for release. It's my first comedy. The audience will never expect to see me in this avatar. It's my first attempt at doing something satirical, and I'm very happy with it."

He says he had been looking at doing something light for a while now.

"In fact, I'd love to do a David Dhawan comedy. Unfortunately, I'm always cast as a malfunctional character," Khan said.

Irrfan Khan nominated for 2008 Spirit Awards

The prestigious 2008 Spirit Awards, precursor to the Oscars, have been announced. And much to Bollywood's surprise, among the independent films and their makers from across the world in line for this honour, is our Irrfan Khan!

He rubs shoulders in the Best Supporting Actor category with the likes of Steve Zahn, Marcus Carl Franklin and Kene Holliday.

Irrfan has been nominated for his performance as Tabu's silently progressive husband in The Namesake. Now the buzz is that Irrfan will also be nominated for an Oscar!

Speaking from New York, Irrfan could barely contain his surprise.

"Mira Nair got the Gotham Award and I was there to watch this historic moment. Barely 24 hours later comes this announcement about me. The Spirit Awards to me is every bit as prestigious as the Oscars.

But unlike the Oscars, they are totally independent and based entirely on merit rather than lobbying. I'm honoured to be alongside Don Cheadle, Frank Langella and Philip Seymour Hoffman (all nominated in the Best Actor category)."

Irrfan Khan in Ocean's 14?

Many new doors have opened for Irrfan after his performances in The Namesake and A Mighty Heart.

Filmmakers in Hollywood are now considering Irrfan for important roles in their films.

One such project, according to reports, is director Steven Soderbergh's next project Ocean's 14, which has George Clooney and Brad Pitt in main roles once again. Irrfan is being considered to play one of the conmen.

Sources are quoted as saying that Irrfan is in talks with the makers of the movie, but the actor cannot confirm anything until he signs on the dotted line.

Irrfan's manager Sunny Shah admits that Irrfan is getting many offers from Hollywood but he refuses to divulge any more details.

Stay tuned in!

Konkona and Irrfan in Neeraj Pathak's Right Or Wrong

Konkona Sen Sharma and Irrfan Khan, who made an entertaining couple in Metro, are set to act together again.

The duo will come together in a film titled Right Or Wrong, which will mark the directorial debut of writer Neeraj Pathak, who recently wrote Apne.

Right Or Wrong will have Sunny Deol and Irrfan Khan playing cops. Konkona Sen will play a lawyer and Isha Koppikar will play Sunny's wife.

The movie will be jointly produced by Subhash Ghai's Mukta Arts and Kishen Chaudhary's Icon Pictures and the film's music will be composed by Monty Sharma, who has also composed for Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Saawariya.

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Irrfan Khan at NYC premiere of A Mighty Heart

Irrfan Khan was in New York to attend the premiere of A Mighty Heart, a film based on life of American journalist Daniel Pearl starring Angelina Jolie.

When asked about his experience at the premiere, he said, "Fortunately for me, Namesake is also running in America and has received tremendous response from the viewers as well as critics. It is rare that two films of an artist are running at the same time and the performances in both the films are receiving rave reviews."

Irrfan is very excited about the response he is getting from the critics. "Some of the noted critics have commented that the performances are very diverse yet powerful and the characters in Namesake and A Mighty Heart merge seamlessly into the storyline. This was an emotional moment for me.

A Mighty Heart has moved the audiences. The subject of the film is very interesting and it has garnered huge interests due to the diverse star cast. Also, the audiences are very enthusiastic to find out how the story has been handled in the film and there is a lot of word-of-mouth going to promote the film."


When asked about his experience of working with one of the hottest stars of Hollywood, Irrfan said, "Working with Angelina was great."

Irrfan Khan in David Dhawan's next

Irrfan Khan was seen in an interesting comic role in Anurag Basu’s Metro which seems to have impressed the audiences. But above all, the actor has managed to amaze the king of comedy films, David Dhawan, so much that David has signed him for his next.

Irrfan loves comedy and he enjoyed his character in Metro. He further informs that he will be finalized for the one of two scripts that David is working on.

Known mainly for his serious roles, Irrfan had earlier done full fledged comedy in Aditya Bhattacharya’s Dubai Return which is yet to release. His forthcoming films are Rohit Shetty’s Sunday, which is a thriller and Rakesh Roshan’s Krazy 4.

Irrfan Khan at Cannes with Angelina Jolie

Irrfan Khan, Angelina Jolie, Futterman and British actress Archie Punjabi pose during a photocall at the 60th Cannes Film Festival for their film.

Bollywood actor Irrfan Khan will walk the red carpet with Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie at the upcoming Cannes Film Festival.

The 60th Cannes Fest begins today and Irrfan Khan is headed to the mega event for the premiere of Michael Winterbottom’s movie A Mighty Heart, starring Angelina Jolie, Dan Futterman and Irrfan.

The three stars will walk the red carpet together at Cannes on May 19, the day of the movie’s premiere. Reports have it that Irrfan will be wearing an outfit by DKNY or Gucci for the big event.

A Mighty Heart will be screened in the official section of the festival. While Irrfan’s other movie Metro will be showcased in marketing section. A month after the Cannes Fest, Irrfan will be flying to the US for the American premiere of the movie in Los Angeles and New York in June.


A Mighty Heart is based on a book by Marianne Pearl about her search for her husband Daniel Pearl, a Wall Street reporter who was abducted and slain by terrorists in Pakistan. Irrfan Khan plays a Pakistani agent in the film.

Major portions of the film were shot in Pune (India) last year.

Exclusive First Look - A Mighty Heart (Trailer) featuring Irrfan Khan

Here's an exclusive first look at Angelina Jolie's A Mighty Heart. Produced by Brad Pitt, the film is based on the memoir of Mariane Pearl, whose husband Daniel Pearl, was abducted and eventually murdered by terrorists in 2002.

And yes, it features apna Irrfan Khan also!

Irrfan Khan in Rohit Shetty's Sunday

Irrfan Khan will soon be seen in Kumar Mangat’s film Sunday, which also stars Ajay Devgan and Arshad Warsi. Rohit Shetty of Golmaal fame will be directing the film. He says that lead actress is yet to be decided upon, but Irrfan has certainly been roped in.

Irrfan will be playing the role of an NSD actor who is struggling to find his way into Bollywood. He will be seen sporting several get-ups for this film. According to Rohit Shetty, the movie has been titled Sunday as the main events that make up the story take place on a particular Sunday. Irrfan Khan is very excited about doing this project with Shetty, and is looking forward to doing this role.

After Sunday, Shetty will be looking at Golmaal 2, given the super success of Golmaal. The movie will have new writers – Rumi Jaffery and Younis Sujawal, as Neeraj Vora is busy with some other projects.

Shiney Ahuja and Irrfan Khan in Mira Nair's next

Shiney Ahuja has replaced Saif Ali Khan in Mira Nair’s next. It actually is a short film dealing with the issue of AIDS. However, it was only after Saif’s refusal to do the film that Shiney got in. Irrfan Khan will be playing the lead protagonist in the film. Shiney is very excited about the project and says that this film will surely be very special for him.

Apart from this film, Shiney is also working on Sudhir Mishra’s Khoya Khoya Chand, Anurag Basu’s Metro and Priyadarshan’s Chandramukhi.