Never worked with anyone like Irrfan Khan before, says Homi Adajania

Before the launch of the trailer for his upcoming film Angrezi Medium (2020), actor Irrfan Khan posted a heartwarming audio message about his health status and his comeback to cinema. Khan's message got fans and industry well-wishers emotional and also raised excitement for the film.

The film's director, Homi Adajania, revealed how he had wanted to work with Irrfan Khan ever since he saw him in Mira Nair's The Namesake (2007). “Irrfan and I met at the film’s screening and got along well," Adajania recalled. "He had watched Being Cyrus [Adajani's directorial debut] and agreed that we should collaborate."

Adajania and his team waited for Irrfan Khan to be well enough to begin shooting for Angrezi Medium. “There was no alternative to him, this film was meant to be made with Irrfan, so we waited for a year," Adajania said.

When filming finally began last summer, Adajania revealed that Khan was swamped with self-doubt on his first day back at work after over a year.

“He came in like an almost clean slate, wondering whether he had forgotten acting," the director said. "But there was never a false beat with him; Irrfan is incredibly organic. Acting is in his blood. I have never worked with anyone like him before. There was no stress on the sets as it is a positive and happy film.”

Angrezi Medium, produced by Dinesh Vijan and presented by Jio Studios, is due to be released on 13 March.