"Gone too soon" was the common feeling echoing across film industries, as actors, directors and co-stars mourned Irrfan Khan's untimely death from a rare form of cancer in a Mumbai hospital on Wednesday.
Irrfan, one of India's finest and most versatile actors, was diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumour in 2018. He is survived by his wife Sutapa and his sons Babil and Ayaan.
Those who had worked with the actor, remembered his "warm smile" and "magical talent" in films as diverse as "Maqbool", "The Namesake", "Life of Pi", "Paan Singh Tomar", "Haasil" and others.
Amitabh Bachchan, who worked with Irrfan on Shoojit Sircar's 2015 film "Piku", said the news of the actor's death was "most disturbing and sad".
"An incredible talent... a gracious colleague... a prolific contributor to the World of Cinema... left us too soon," he posted on Twitter.
Sircar was among the first to break the news of Irrfan's death.
"My dear friend Irfaan, you fought and fought and fought. I will always be proud of you.. we shall meet again, he wrote.
Sharing a picture with Irrfan, Shah Rukh tweeted, "My friend...inspiration & the greatest actor of our times. Allah bless your soul Irrfan bhai...will miss you as much as cherish the fact that you were part of our lives... Love you."
South superstar Mahesh Babu, who shared the screen space with Irrfan in his only Telugu film "Sainikudu", wrote, "Deeply saddened by the news of #IrrfanKhan's untimely demise. A brilliant actor gone too soon."
Music composer AR Rahman hailed Irrfan as "one of the greatest ambassadors of Indian cinema" and said the actor, who starred in "Slumdog Millionaire", has "gone too soon."
"The charisma you brought to everything you did was pure magic. Your talent forged the way for so many in so many avenues.. You inspired so many of us."