MUMBAI: Bollywood lost one of its prized possessions today as Irrfan Khan passed away. The acting stalwart had been battling cancer since long and was admitted to a city hospital for colon infection. His funeral took place in Mumbai and despite the lockdown situation in Mumbai, several Bollywood celebrities arrived to pay their last respects. Vishal Bharadwaj, who had directed Irrfan in ‘Maqbool’ and ‘Haider’ was one of the first to arrive. Kapil Sharma and Mika Singh were also snapped by the paparazzi.

Irrfan Khan was buried in the presence of wife Sutapa Sikdar and sons Aayan and Babil at 3 pm today. The actor passed away after a long and spirited battle against neuroendocrine tumours. The funeral was small due to the lockdown restrictions in place due to coronaviFFrus pandemic.

Irrfan Khan’s family had issued a statement that read: "Irrfan was buried at the Versova kabrastan in Mumbai at 3 pm this afternoon soon after the news of his passing away was announced. In presence were his family, close relatives and friends. Everyone paid their final respects and mourned the loss of his passing away. We pray for his peace and we hope he’s in a better place today. He was strong in his fight, and we all have to be strong too in this loss."

The funeral took place amidst heavy police deployment because of the current health scare situation.

Earlier, his friends arrived at the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital to pay final tributes to the actor. Everyone was seen wearing masks and protective gear to keep safe from the coronavirus outbreak.

Filmmaker Tigmanshu Dhulia was also seen at the hospital in a mask. He said, “I knew him and became friends since National School of Drama (NSD) days, was two years senior to me (1986). This has happened at such a time of coronavirus to such a big actor. I am sad how small his ‘janaza’ (funeral) will be, else it would have been a ‘hujoom’ (mammoth turnout)…I am feeling so sad and living in Mumbai I can’t be a part of it.”

Tigmanshu directed Irrfan in Saheb Biwi Gangster Return, Paan Singh Tomar, Charas, Haasil, Fursat Main, Bharon Ni Khilaya Phool, Ek Shaam Ki Mulakat, and Naya Daur.

Producer Sandeep Singh shared photo of Irrfan"s last journey with an emotional note. "Never imagined shouldering the burden of your loss would weigh so heavy on my heart. Thank you Irrfan Bhai for standing by me in my times of crises. You were there when not many wanted to even acknowledge me. You are one of a kind and I will continue to use present tense, because for me human beings like you never die. Your persona, your aura, your love for cinema and your philosophy of life will continue to remain an inspiration and guide me. Thank you God for allowing me to walk with Irrfan Bhai one last time. Feel blessed to have gotten a chance to bid goodbye even as crores of your fans and friends wanted to be there. You are gone too soon, Bhai #ripirfankhan," he wrote.

Irrfan was under observation for an infected colon at the hospital. The actor in 2018 had announced that he’d been diagnosed with a neuroendocrine tumour.

“Irrfan was a strong soul, someone who fought till the very end and always inspired everyone who came close to him,” his publicist said in a statement.

In an interview in March 2020, he described life after the diagnosis as “a roller-coaster ride, a memorable one”. “Happy moments were underlined because of the inherent uncertainty. We cried a little and laughed a lot,” he said.