When Irrfan Khan went to Rajesh Khanna’s house as an AC repairman; recalled his technical training days in Mumbai | Hindi Movie News

Long before becoming one of India’s most celebrated actors, Irrfan Khan explored different ways to earn a living. His journey into cinema was not an overnight decision. The actor once trained in technical work and even visited superstar Rajesh Khanna‘s residence to repair an air conditioner. During an old interview, Irrfan shared this amusing memory while discussing his early struggles with veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah. He also spoke about discovering his passion for films and the performances that shaped his understanding of acting.

Irrfan Khan says sustaining his inspiration was his biggest struggle

During the 2016 interaction with India Today, Irrfan Khan opened up about the challenges he faced while finding his place in the film industry. Speaking to Naseeruddin Shah, he explained that his biggest difficulty was keeping his enthusiasm alive rather than simply becoming an actor.“My only struggle was to sustain my inspiration. That time I realised that being an actor isn’t my inner call, it was a cultivated desire. First thing I bought from my salary was a VCR to watch films,” Irrfan Khan said.The actor also revealed that watching films became an important part of his early journey. His decision to purchase a VCR with his first salary reflected his growing interest in cinema.

When Irrfan Khan visited Rajesh Khanna’s house to repair an AC

Naseeruddin Shah subsequently asked Irrfan Khan when he first developed an interest in acting. In response, the actor recalled his technical training days and his journey from Jaipur to Mumbai. During that period, he once visited Rajesh Khanna’s residence for an air conditioner repair job.Naseeruddin Shah asked, “Do you remember whose house you went to, to fix the air conditioner?”Irrfan Khan replied, “Rajesh Khanna. I still remember the way bai opened the door she said ‘kaun?’ I said ‘AC wala’ and she replied ‘Aaiye’. Then I went to Jaipur and thought that mai air conditioning seekh jaunga then mai bahar jaaunga. I used to think jo bahar jaata hai usko paisa hi milta hai.” (“Rajesh Khanna. I still remember how the housemaid opened the door and asked, ‘Who is it?’ I said, ‘The AC repairman,’ and she replied, ‘Please come in.’ Then I went back to Jaipur and thought that if I learned air conditioning repair, I could go abroad. I used to believe that anyone who went abroad earned good money.”)Irrfan Khan also remembered returning to Jaipur and looking for opportunities to gain practical experience. His father introduced him to someone who helped him find work at a fan shop. However, the experience made him realise that earning money alone could not provide him with professional satisfaction.“Then I went to Jaipur and I wanted to do some practical work. My father introduced me to somebody usne pankhe ki dukaan pe baitha diya mujhe. (Laughs) Pankha theek kar raha hoon. Then it got clear that I can’t earn money just for the sake of earning money,” (“Then I went to Jaipur because I wanted to gain some practical experience. My father introduced me to someone who got me a job at a fan shop. (Laughs) I was repairing fans. That’s when I realised that I couldn’t earn money just for the sake of earning money.”) he said.

Naseeruddin Shah’s performance in ‘Umrao Jaan‘ impressed him

Irrfan Khan also discussed how certain performances changed his perception of cinema. He specifically remembered Naseeruddin Shah’s appearance alongside Rekha in the 1981 film ‘Umrao Jaan’. A particular exchange between the two actors caught his attention because of its unusual approach to flirting.“I still remember a shot in Umrao Jaan. There was a scene where Rekha, they have gone to picnic or something, and you are trying to flirt with her when she says ‘are what are you doing’. Then Naseer Sahab says ‘Waqt hai to yahi kar lete hain’. Maine is tarah ka line maarna kabhi dekha hi nahi tha cinema mein. Us trah ka attitude maine kabhi dekha nahi tha,” Irrfan Khan said. (“‘We have time, so let’s do this.’ I had never seen anyone deliver a flirtatious line like that in cinema. I had never seen that kind of attitude before” )

Irrfan Khan’s final films and lasting legacy

Irrfan Khan passed away on April 29, 2020, leaving behind an acclaimed body of work spanning Indian and international cinema. His final major Bollywood release during his lifetime was ‘Angrezi Medium’ (2020), directed by Homi Adajania. The film featured Kareena Kapoor Khan and Radhika Madan alongside him.His final theatrical release was ‘The Song of Scorpions’. The Anup Singh-directed drama premiered at the Locarno Film Festival in 2017 before reaching Indian theatres on April 28, 2023.