Irrfan Khan: Slumdog Millionaire and Life Of Pi actor dies aged 53

Life of Pi and Slumdog Millionaire actor, Irrfan Khan has died of cancer at the age of 53.

Khan is among a few Indian actors who are known worldwide with a consistent mark in the western cinema.

A statement issued by his family described him as "a man of few words and an actor of silent expressions with his deep eyes and his memorable actions on screen".

They said: "Irrfan was a strong soul, someone who fought till the very end and always inspired everyone who came close to him.

"After having been struck by lightning in 2018 with the news of a rare cancer, he took life soon after as it came and he fought the many battles that came with it.

"Surrounded by his love, his family for whom he most cared about, he left for heaven abode, leaving behind truly a legacy of his own.

"We all pray and hope that he is at peace."

A heartfelt note he wrote after he was diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumour reads in part: "As if I was tasting life for the first time, the magical side of it."