When we talk about actors who completely changed the way we look at cinema, Irrfan Khan instantly comes to mind. He was not just a Bollywood star but an artist loved all around the world.
From humble beginnings in small roles to becoming a part of Hollywood blockbusters, Irrfan’s career was nothing short of inspiring. His acting was natural, heartfelt, and powerful; something audiences could always relate to.
In this article, we’ll go through the Irrfan Khan movie list that will help you to know his journey.
But before going to the complete movie list of Irrfan Khan, here are the top 10 movies of his.
Top 10 Popular Irrfan Khan Movies
Paan Singh Tomar (2012)
Based on a true story, this film follows Paan Singh Tomar, an athlete who represented India at national levels but was forced to turn into a rebel dacoit. Irrfan’s performance was raw, real, and unforgettable.
- Genre: Biographical Drama
- Director: Tigmanshu Dhulia
- Co-stars: Mahie Gill, Vipin Sharma
- Release Date: 2 March 2012
- IMDb Rating: 8.2/10
- Box Office Collection: ₹20+ Crore
- Status: Hit
The Lunchbox (2013)
A magical tale about a lonely widower and a housewife who exchange letters through Mumbai’s lunchbox delivery system. Irrfan played Saajan Fernandes with such depth that he won hearts globally.
- Genre: Romantic Drama
- Director: Ritesh Batra
- Co-stars: Nimrat Kaur, Nawazuddin Siddiqui
- Release Date: 20 September 2013
- IMDb Rating: 7.8/10
- Box Office Collection: ₹100+ Crore (worldwide)
- Status: Superhit (international success)
Maqbool (2003)
Vishal Bhardwaj’s Indian adaptation of Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Irrfan played Miyan Maqbool, torn between love and ambition, delivering one of his career-defining performances.
- Genre: Crime Drama
- Director: Vishal Bhardwaj
- Co-stars: Tabu, Pankaj Kapur, Om Puri, Naseeruddin Shah
- Release Date: 30 January 2004
- IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
- Box Office Collection: Average at the box office but a cult classic
- Status: Critical Hit
Life in a… Metro (2007)
A multi-story film about love and loneliness in Mumbai. Irrfan played Monty, a simple, funny man searching for love, giving audiences a refreshing and heartwarming performance.
- Genre: Romantic Drama
- Director: Anurag Basu
- Co-stars: Shilpa Shetty, Konkona Sen Sharma, Shiney Ahuja
- Release Date: 11 May 2007
- IMDb Rating: 7.5/10
- Box Office Collection: ₹22+ Crore
- Status: Hit
Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
The Oscar-winning film where Irrfan played a strict police inspector questioning the lead character. Even in limited screen time, his presence was strong and memorable.
- Genre: Drama
- Director: Danny Boyle
- Co-stars: Dev Patel, Anil Kapoor, Freida Pinto
- Release Date: 12 November 2008
- IMDb Rating: 8.0/10
- Box Office Collection: $378 Million worldwide
- Status: Blockbuster (Academy Award Winner)
The Namesake (2006)
An emotional film about family, roots, and identity. Irrfan played Ashoke Ganguli, a father trying to balance Indian traditions with American culture, giving a deeply moving performance.
- Genre: Drama
- Director: Mira Nair
- Co-stars: Tabu, Kal Penn
- Release Date: 9 March 2007 (USA)
- IMDb Rating: 7.5/10
- Box Office Collection: $20+ Million worldwide
- Status: Hit
Piku (2015)
A lighthearted film about a quirky father-daughter relationship. Irrfan, as Rana Chaudhary, brought balance to the emotional drama with his wit and charm.
- Genre: Comedy-Drama
- Director: Shoojit Sircar
- Co-stars: Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone
- Release Date: 8 May 2015
- IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
- Box Office Collection: ₹141 Crore worldwide
- Status: Superhit
Hindi Medium (2017)
A hilarious yet emotional take on India’s obsession with English-medium schools. Irrfan as Raj Batra nailed both the comic timing and heartfelt emotional beats.
- Genre: Comedy-Drama
- Director: Saket Chaudhary
- Co-stars: Saba Qamar, Deepak Dobriyal
- Release Date: 19 May 2017
- IMDb Rating: 7.8/10
- Box Office Collection: ₹322 Crore worldwide
- Status: Blockbuster
Haider (2014)
Synopsis: Based on Shakespeare’s Hamlet, set in Kashmir. Irrfan’s brief but impactful role as Roohdaar elevated the film’s intensity.
- Genre: Crime-Drama
- Director: Vishal Bhardwaj
- Co-stars: Shahid Kapoor, Tabu, Shraddha Kapoor
- Release Date: 2 October 2014
- IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
- Box Office Collection: ₹49 Crore
- Status: Hit
Angrezi Medium (2020)
His final film is a heartwarming story about a father going to every length to fulfill his daughter’s dream of studying abroad. Irrfan as Champak Bansal was simply unforgettable.
- Genre: Comedy-Drama
- Director: Homi Adajania
- Co-stars: Radhika Madan, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Deepak Dobriyal
- Release Date: 13 March 2020
- IMDb Rating: 7.2/10
- Box Office Collection: ₹36 Crore (limited run due to COVID-19)
- Status: Average but loved by fans
Complete Irrfan Khan movies list
| Movies | Released year | Status |
| Salaam Bombay | 1988 | Critically Acclaimed |
| Kamla Ki Maut | 1989 | Average |
| Drishti | 1990 | Average |
| Ek Doctor Ki Maut | 1990 | Critically Acclaimed |
| Pita | 1991 | Flop |
| Mujhse Dosti Karoge | 1992 | Flop |
| Karamati Coat | 1993 | Average |
| Purush | 1994 | Average |
| Vaade Iraade | 1994 | Flop |
| The Cloud Door (Short) | 1994 | N/A |
| Private Detective: 2+2+1 | 1997 | Flop |
| Such a Long Journey | 1998 | Critically Acclaimed |
| Bada Din | 1998 | Flop |
| The Goal | 1999 | Average |
| Ghaath | 2000 | Flop |
| Kasoor | 2001 | Hit |
| The Warrior | 2001 | International Acclaim |
| Gunaah | 2002 | Flop |
| Haasil | 2003 | Critically Acclaimed |
| Supari | 2003 | Flop |
| Maqbool | 2003 | Cult Classic |
| Charas | 2004 | Flop |
| Aan: Men at Work | 2004 | Average |
| Rog | 2005 | Average |
| Yun Hota Toh Kya Hota | 2006 | Flop |
| The Namesake | 2006 | Hit |
| Life in a… Metro | 2007 | Hit |
| A Mighty Heart | 2007 | Hit |
| Slumdog Millionaire | 2008 | Blockbuster |
| Billu | 2009 | Average |
| New York | 2009 | Hit |
| Paan Singh Tomar | 2012 | Hit |
| Life of Pi | 2012 | Blockbuster |
| The Lunchbox | 2013 | Superhit |
| D-Day | 2013 | Average |
| Gunday | 2014 | Hit |
| Haider | 2014 | Hit |
| Piku | 2015 | Superhit |
| Jurassic World | 2015 | Blockbuster |
| Talvar | 2015 | Critically Acclaimed |
| Madaari | 2016 | Average |
| Inferno | 2016 | Average |
| Hindi Medium | 2017 | Blockbuster |
| Qarib Qarib Single | 2017 | Average |
| Karwaan | 2018 | Average |
| Blackmail | 2018 | Average |
| Angrezi Medium | 2020 | Average |
| Murder at Teesri Manzil | 2021 | Posthumous Release |
To wrap up
The Irrfan Khan movies list shows that his journey is a reminder that true talent always finds its way to shine.
From small roles in Indian parallel cinema to being part of Hollywood giants like Jurassic World and Life of Pi, he proved that acting is not about glamour but about honesty and connection.
Even though he left us too soon in 2020, his films keep him alive in the hearts of millions.
FAQs
Which was Irrfan Khan’s first film?
A: His first film was Salaam Bombay! (1988), where he played a small role as a letter writer.
Which Hollywood movies did Irrfan act in?
A: Some of his popular Hollywood films include The Namesake, Slumdog Millionaire, Life of Pi, The Amazing Spider-Man, Jurassic World, and Inferno.
Which was his last film?
A: Angrezi Medium (2020) was his last theatrical release, while Murder at Teesri Manzil 302 (2021) was released posthumously.
Which is considered his best performance?
A: While opinions differ, many fans and critics believe Paan Singh Tomar, The Lunchbox, Maqbool, and Hindi Medium are his career-best performances.
