'Life is so unpredictable': Producer of Deepika starrer on Irrfan's health issues

With the film industry fearing the worst about Irrfan Khan’s health, and close friends of the actor confirming the worst, it appears as though he would be away from the arclights for quite a while now. “It’s unlikely that he will return to shooting actively for quite a while now… I can’t put a number on his absence of leave. But the treatment is going to be a long process,” says a source in the know.

The worst hit on the professional level is Vishal Bhardwaj’s adaptation of crime reporter author Hussain Zaidi’s gangster story, Sapna Didi, featuring Deepika Padukone and Irrfan Khan. While Deepika and Irrfan both reported sick, Irrfan’s illness is far more serious than originally assumed. Prernaa Arora who’s the co-producer on the project, says the delay is not of importance as long as the actor gets well.

Sounding upset, Prernaa says, “We were about to begin shooting from next week. Vishal had just come back from his final recce. We were excited about the project; now this has happened. Irrfan and Deepika are our first and only choice. Life is so unpredictable. Every moment is a reminder to not take life for granted.”
The worried producer says she has been on tenterhooks about Irrfan’s health. “When Vishal learnt about Irrfan’s illness, I felt very uneasy. I just wish he gets well soon. He is a fighter, a self-made success story and an inspiration to so many of us.”

Recalling her association with the actor, Prernaa says, “I met Irrfan through Vishal. From Day one, Vishal was sure that Irrfan was going to be the one and only choice for this role. And that’s the way it’s going to remain. I can’t wait to start our film with him.”