From Maqbool to The Namesake – Check out these 5 films of Irrfan Khan, that are based on famous novels

While a screenwriter can be inspired from many things like – plays, songs, true events, and even apps can spark their imagination and ignite a studio's green light, books continue to reign as the most fertile ground for cinematic inspiration. Whether it's Hollywood, Bollywood, Tollywood, or any other entertainment industry, interestingly books have more power on creative works.

While remembering Irrfan Khan, here we have collected five films that are highly based on books, and also led him to win a National Award.

Maqbool

This film tells a story about a man named Maqbool, who forged in the fires of violence, grapples with an unexpected storm: love for the alluring Nimmi, his boss's forbidden fruit. Her seductive whispers plant the seeds of ambition, urging him to claim the crown, even if it means a treacherous climb over his own master's corpse. Released in 2003, this Vishal Bhardwaj-directorial is inspired from William Shakespeare’s play - Macbeth.

Slumdog Millionaire

Plucked from the Mumbai slums, a teenager stands poised on the precipice of a fortune on ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati?' But as suspicion of cheating throws him under glaring lights, he delves into a past painted in hardship. Each answer, a brushstroke revealing experiences that hold the key to his improbable ascent. Released in 2008, this Danny Boyle-directorial is based on Vikas Swarup’s Q&A novel. This film has also won seven Oscars in 2009 at the 81st Academy Awards.

7 Khoon Maaf

Driven by an insatiable hunger for love in its purest form, Susanna (Priyanka Chopra) embarks on a relentless pursuit. Believing the perfect man holds the key, she accumulates a string of husbands, each succumbing to mysterious fates. Their deaths, veiled in secrets, whisper of a darkness that follows her every vow. Irrfan Khan had played one of Priyanka’s husbands. Released in 2011, this is the second time Khan had collaborated with Vishal Bhardwaj, which is based on Ruskin Bond’s short story - Susanna’s Seven Husband.

Haider

Haunted by his missing father and driven by a yearning for truth, Haider steps back onto the soil of Jammu and Kashmir. The air crackles with the tension of insurgency, every shadow a potential threat. Yet, even amidst the turmoil, his pursuit of closure remains paramount, a fragile ember amidst the storm of state politics. Although Khan had no major role in this film, his special appearance left everyone speechless. Released in 2014, this is the third time Khan had collaborated with Vishal Bhardwaj again, which is based on William Shakespeare's play - Hamlet.

The Namesake

Torn between two cultures, Ashima and Ashoke, immigrant Bengali parents, navigate the unfamiliar shores of America. Their son, Gogol, born on American soil, faces a different struggle: forging an identity amidst the clash of his parents' heritage and his own American upbringing. He stands at a crossroads, a hyphen in their shared story, unsure which path to claim. Released in 2006, this Mira Nair-directorial is based on Jhumpa Lahiri’s novel by the same name.