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Abhinay Deo recalls Irrfan running 200 metres during Blackmail despite cancer, saying the actor warned him he might fall after another take.
Irrfan Khan during Blackmail as Abhinay Deo recalls his commitment on set.
Director Abhinay Deo has recalled a striking memory from the making of Blackmail, revealing that Irrfan completed a physically demanding running sequence even while he was battling cancer and undergoing treatment.
Abhinay, who directed Irrfan in the 2018 dark comedy, said he was unaware of the actor’s health condition at the time. According to him, Irrfan ran nearly 200 metres continuously for the shot and even repeated the sequence for multiple takes.
Speaking to SCREEN, Abhinay remembered Irrfan as an actor whose preparation never showed on screen because of how natural his performances appeared.
‘His Performances Flowed Like Water’
Abhinay said Irrfan would study his characters closely before filming, but there was never any visible effort in the eventual performance.
“There are so many things about him. He was an extremely spontaneous actor, one of the finest our country has ever had. He used to study his characters extensively, but you could never tell that he had done so much preparation. You never got the feeling that he was performing something he had rehearsed. His performances flowed like water. He was so spontaneous, and it was fabulous to watch him,” he said.
The filmmaker then recalled a sequence from Blackmail that required Irrfan to run approximately 200 metres without stopping.
Abhinay told the actor that they might need to repeat the scene if they did not get the required shot. Irrfan agreed without telling him that he was unwell.
Irrfan Told Abhinay Deo: ‘This Is The Last Take’
Irrfan completed the run once and then repeated it. When Abhinay asked for a third take to capture tighter frames, the actor finally told him he might not be able to continue afterwards.
“I told him, ‘See, Irrfan, if we manage in this shot then great, otherwise, we will have to retake the scene.’ He said, ‘Yes, we’ll do.’ He still didn’t tell me that he isn’t well. He did once, did the second time, and in the third attempt, I said, ‘Let’s do one last take for tighter frames.’ And, Irrfan said, ‘Abhinay, this is the last take because after this, I might fall,’” Abhinay recalled.
At the time, the filmmaker assumed Irrfan was simply exhausted because the sequence was being filmed late at night.
“I got shocked, and thought maybe he is tired because it was in the middle of the night. A few days later, I got to know that he is (diagnosed with cancer)…this was the commitment level, that guy just ran and ran in that state. These memories are truly special because they remind me of a great man at work, someone who was completely dedicated to his craft,” he added.
Abhinay Deo And Irrfan Had Discussed Blackmail Sequel
Abhinay also revealed that he and Irrfan had spoken about making a sequel to Blackmail towards the end of the film.
According to the director, Irrfan already knew by then that his health was serious. The two decided they would return to the sequel discussion after his treatment.
However, while the rough cut of Blackmail was being assembled, Irrfan’s health deteriorated further.
Irrfan had been diagnosed with a neuroendocrine tumour. He died on April 29, 2020, at the age of 53, two years after Blackmail released in theatres.
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Ask News18Irrfan completed a physically demanding sequence that required him to run continuously for roughly 200 metres, executing multiple takes while undergoing cancer treatment.
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Yatamanyu Narain is a Sub-Editor at News18.com with a passion for all things entertainment. Whether he\’s breaking the latest Bollywood news or chatting with rising stars in the OTT world, he’s always…Read More
October 24, 2026, 20:03 IST