On
Tragedy
After
learning
about
the
major
tragedies
that
happened,
Sharmila
Tagore
said,
"Why
these
younger
actors
going
and
the
older
ones
are
still
around?
First,
we
lost
Irrfan
who
was
an
absolute
favourite
and
now
Rishi
Kapoor
who
was
not
only
a
fabulous
actor
but
also
part
of
my
family.
In
fact,
I'm
trying
to
call
(daughter-in-law,
Rishi's
niece)
Kareena
since
morning.
But
can't
get
through."
Fond
Of
Irrfan
Khan
Sharmila
Tagore
ji
was
fond
of
Irrfan
Khan.
The
actor
impressed
her
with
his
acting
talent
and
dedication
towards
craft.
Speaking
about
the
same,
Sharmila
ji
said,
"I
took
Irrfan's
death
very
personally.
He
was
an
actor
I
related
deeply
to.
His
performances
in
films
like
Maqbool,
Paan
Singh
Tomar,
for
which
he
won
the
National
award,
and
The
Namesake
were
so
subtle
layered
and
brilliant...I've
lost
track
of
how
many
times
I've
seen
The
Namesake.
Irrfan
transformed
into
a
Bengali
gentleman.
He
learnt
Bengali
for
the
film.
My
daughter
Soha
has
done
three
films
with
Irrfan.
I'm
very
envious
of
her."
Meeting
With
Irrfan
Khan
Remembering
meeting
Irrfan
Khan
at
an
International
Film
Festival
some
years
ago,
Sharmila
Tagore
said,
"I
remember
him
as
very
silent,
not
saying
much
but
very
observant.
He
spoke
about
how
important
it
was
for
an
actor
like
who
believed
in
realistic
acting
to
bridge
the
gap
between
niche
and
populist
cinema,
and
how
realistic
acting
became
boring
after
a
point.
Irrfan
wanted
to
change
that.
If
you
watch
his
performances
keenly
he
always
ended
his
scenes
on
an
ambiguous
note...a
quirky
twitch
of
the
eyebrow,
a
cryptic
smile.
His
performances
intrigued
me.
I
wanted
to
know
what
he
was
going
to
do
next.
What
was
he
hiding?"
Sweet
Words
For
Rishi
Kapoor
Sharmila
Tagore
admitted
that
Rishi
Kapoor
was
just
opposite
to
Irrfan
Khan.
She
said,
"He
came
on
the
screen
like
a
bright
light
and
embraced
the
audience.
Unlike
Irrfan
who
always
seemed
to
withhold
something,
Rishi
spilt
it
all
out
and
connected
unconditionally
with
the
audience.
No
matter
what
he
played,
the
lover
boy
or
the
old
father
in
102
Not
Out
he
was
completely
into
character.
I
remember
this
film
of
his
with
Dimple
Kapadia,
Pyaar
Mein
Twist
where
he
was
shown
walking
his
dog.
He
looked
so
proper
and
gentlemanly.
In
Hum
Tum
he
came
into
the
plot
midway.
But
the
screen
brightened
the
minute
he
walked
in.
Rishi
had
a
rare
ability
to
immerse
himself
in
every
character
completely.
And
he
was
a
people's
person.
He
could
connect
with
the
audience
immediately."
When
Sharmila
&
Rishi
Won
A
Joint
Award
Some
years
ago,
Sharmila
Tagore
and
Rishi
Kapoor
received
a
joint
award
of
Lifetime
Achievement.
Speaking
about
the
memory,
she
said,
"We
were
both
given
Filmfare
awards
for
Lifetime
Achievement.
Rishi
openly
grumbled
about
why
he
was
being
bracketed
with
me
since
I
was
around
for
so
much
longer.
That's
he
was.
He
spoke
his
mind
regardless
of
the
repercussions.
Recently
he
tweeted
about
liquor
shops
being
opened
during
the
lockdown.
People
were
outraged.
But
he
had
a
point.
Those
addicted
to
alcohol
are
bound
to
get
restless
sitting
at
home."
Sharmila
Tagore
On
The
Double
Loss
Of
The
Indian
Cinema
Sharmila
said,
"Irrfan
and
Rishi
had
both
gone
for
treatment
of
their
cancer.
They
came
back
and
we
all
hoped
that
they
would
be
fine.
That
was
not
to
be.
I
don't
know
what
greater
calamities
this
year
has
in
store."