'It’s not easy living every day without you': Shoojit Sircar pens emotional note for Irrfan Khan on 'Piku' actor's death anniversary

In an Instagram post, Shoojit dropped a number of pictures from the sets of Piku where he had directed Irrfan.

The pictures captured Shoojit with Irrfan as well as Deepika Padukone, who played the titular role of the 2015 film.

In a long note, Shoojit turned emotional as he revealed how tough it is for him to live life without Irrfan.

(From L to R) Deepika Padukone, Irrfan Khan and Shoojit Sircar on the sets of Piku. Photo courtesy: Shoojit Sircar Instagram handle

"Friend, wherever you are, I know you’re doing well and have probably made many new friends there. I’m sure people have fallen in love with your charm, as we all have. Here, I’m doing fine. But there’s one thing you might not be aware of Irfaan - just how much you’re loved and missed here. You’d be surprised:)," said Shoojit.

The director, who is known for films like Madras Cafe, October, Sardar Udham et al, remembered his days of chatting with Irrfan, discussions on life and death and "jhal muri sessions".

He wrote, "I miss our jhal muri sessions and the laughter we shared. Your discussions on the magic of life were always fascinating. I cherish those moments. Remember our long conversations about spiritualism and science when you were in London? Those talks were incredibly deep.

"I’ve got the books you recommended, and I often think about our discussions on life and death. Your smile and those mystical eyes of yours are etched in my memory. It’s not easy living every day without you; there’s a huge vacuum."

Shoojit wrote about his bonding with Irrfan's two children including young actor Baabil Khan, who has already earned appreciation with The Railway Men, Qala.

Shoojit writes, "Irfaan, I wanted to let you know that Babil and Ayan are doing well. Babil and I play football together, and I’ve become a bit of a guardian to him. Don’t worry, I’m looking out for him. Sutapa and I talk often. Me and Ronnie, we’ve just finished a film project with Babil. He’s growing into a fine artist, slowly carving his own space in the industry. I’m sure he’s on the right path, just like you always envisioned."

"I know you’re watching over us from wherever you are, and that’s a comfort. There’s so much to talk about, but for now, I’ll just say adieu, friend. Lots of love," he concludes the post.

Irrfan, who is best known for films Paan Singh Tomar, The Lunch Box, Life of Pi, Piku, died on this day in 2020 after his fight with neuroendocrine cancer which also caused a colon infection.

In a recent interview with IBNS, Shoojit revealed how his bonding with Irrfan led him to direct I Want To Talk, the former's latest film where he narrated one of his friend's a successful battle with cancer.

Shoojit Sircar with Irrfan Khan at Howrah Bridge in Kolkata during shooting for Piku. Photo courtesy: Shoojit Sircar Instagram handle

"Yes, somewhere of course, because he (Irrfan Khan) was dealing with cancer for two years and I started working on the script just after that. The fact that he could not deal with the disease definitely made an impact on me.

"So I had to make a film where someone could deal with it. Arjun Sen, my friend, is someone who has dealt with the disease beautifully and he is still alive. That's the journey. I wanted to come up with that hope," Shoojit had said.

Irrfan's final appearance on screen was Homi Adajania's Angrezi Medium which released on March 13, 2020.

Meanwhile, Piku, which starred acting legend Amitabh Bachchan besides Deepika Padukone and late Irrfan Khan, will re-release in theatres on May 9, 2025 on the occasion of its 10th anniversary.