Actor Irrfan Khan, who was admitted to Mumbai’s Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital with a colon infection, has died. The Piku star battled a tumour for several months and returned to Mumbai some months ago after being treated in London. Irrfan Khan is survived by his wife Sutapa and two sons. Yesterday, his spokesperson confirmed that he had been taken to the intensive care unit and later, dismissed rumours that Irrfan Khan had died.

“Yes it is true that Irrfan khan is admitted to ICU at Kokilaben in Mumbai because of a colon infection. We would keep everyone updated. He is under doctor’s observation. His strength and courage have helped him battle and fight so far and we are sure with his tremendous willpower and prayers of all his well-wishers, he will recover soon,” read the statement issued on behalf of Irrfan by his spokesperson on Tuesday evening.

The Piku actor was diagnosed with an neuroendocrine tumour in March 2018, soon after which he flew to London for treatment. He returned to India in February 2019 to shoot Angrezi Medium and flew back to London after a brief stay. The actor returned to India in September last year after surgery and treatment in London.

Irrfan Khan’s mother Saeeda Begum died at the age of 95 on Saturday morning in Jaipur. According to news agency ANI, Irrfan, who couldn’t travel from Mumbai due to the coronavirus lockdown, paid his last respects to his late mother through a video conferencing session.

After initial treatment, the actor flew to London to avail best possible medical care. Through much of that year and the following year, nothing was heard from the actor other than an occasion interview of his, done during that period, which he shared on Twitter. Some time, in 2019, his health reportedly showed signs of improvement and he began shooting for his first time after diagnosis, Angrezi Medium, a sequel to his hit 2017, Hindi Medium. With a supportive crew and cast, Irrfan Khan managed to shoot the film in London and Rajasthan.

In between, after successfully battling the treated disease, the actor returned to India for good. Announcing his return, he wrote on Twitter in April: “Maybe, somewhere in the pursuit of winning, we forget how much it means to be loved. In our vulnerability, we are reminded. As I leave my footprints onto these steps of my life, I want to pause to be grateful for receiving your immense love and support, it soothed me in my process of healing. So I travel back to you, thanking you from the bottom of my heart.”

However, around the film was to be released in March this year, Actor Irrfan Khan could be available for the promotions of the film, as his health again took a beating. As speculation filled the air, the actor released a recorded message at the time of the film’s trailer release in February saying he had ‘unwanted guests in my body’.

Only couple of days back, there had been reports that the actor had attended the funeral of his mother Saeda Begum via video conferencing. She had died on Saturday, April 25.