TRIVIA: Irrfan Khan Gave Up Interstellar As He Didn't Want To Be Away From Home For Four Months

Irrfan Khan had undoubtedly been one of the most active and prominent Indian actors in the West, In fact, it was Hollywood that had tapped into his potential way before Bollywood recognised and acknowledged it. He had been a part of several super successful Hollywood films including Slumdog Millionaire, Life Of Pi, Jurassic Park and The Amazing Spiderman. But did you know that many more films had been offered to the actor and he rejected them all. Films like The Body Of Lies, The Martian and The Reluctant Fundamentalist. But self-admittedly, the toughest Hollywood film he had rejected was Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar.

Yes, Irrfan Khan had been offered a role in Nolan’s Interstellar, but he chose to opt out of it. The reason was his love prior commitments. The film required him to stay in New York for four months at a stretch and he would not be allowed to shuttle to India in between. Talking to BT, he had said, “They expected a huge commitment from my end. I had to stay in the US for four months at a stretch. I tried to work out my schedule and suggested if I could shuttle between India and the US as it wouldn’t have been possible for me to be there for that long. I wanted to be here for The Lunchbox and D-Day. They couldn’t allow that. I don’t have a tendency to regret what I do, but knowing it’s a Christopher Nolan film, I can say that this has been one of the most difficult decisions I’ve made.”

In another interview with Brunch, he had revealed why he never planned on moving to Hollywood, where he kept getting interesting offers. He said, “My people are here and so are my stories. Today, small and unconventional films are redefining cinema in India. And I am happy to be part of this brave, new world. Hollywood is just a bonus.”

A man is defined by the choices he makes and Irrfan Khan redefined Indian cinema with his unconventional and brave choices. He will forever continue to live through his work.