Adil Hussain: I felt a punch to my heart when Irrfan passed away

At the Dharamshala International Film Festival, Adil Hussain reflected on the craft of acting and the mark Irrfan left on audiences. When asked about overcoming the challenge of being different in films of the same genre, he said, “It will be always different if you are truly yourself, even if the genre is the same, if you don't fall into the cliches of acting.

It is extremely difficult. When you are not that person who is wearing a social mask, the one you wear when you are with your parents or lover or husband or when you are at a party and nobody is watching you and therefore, you are quieter, and from there when you act, you will be different. And the one actor who comes to my mind who was like that was Irrfan.”

Adil opined that Irrfan embodied a rare honesty in his work. “He tried his best to do that and that’s why when he died, I was shocked despite knowing that he was suffering from a terminal disease.

I had a tough time accepting his demise. He tried his best to be as vulnerable and as transparent as possible. Did you see him very different in different characters? No. He was trying to be as open and vulnerable as possible. Not in all films.

He was brilliant in The Warrior, The Namesake and Qissa - he was at his best in these films.”Despite meeting Irrfan only a handful of times, Hussain recalled the deep personal impact his passing left on him. He shared, “I had met Irrfan only thrice during the promotions of Life of Pi. I never had any conversation with him about acting or anything, but despite that, I felt a punch in my heart when he passed away. I was surprised about the way I felt.”