Irrfan, apart from an acclaimed Bollywood and Hollywood celebrity, was a simple and down-to-earth person. Not just an onscreen hero, but the actor proved to be the guardian angel to many families struggling to be equipped with basic needs. A humble and generous soul who loved helping others, Irrfan's demise came across as a major personal loss to the residents of Igatpuri in Maharashtra. Irrfan, a decade ago interacted with the locals during his visit to the village to buy a plot for his weekend home. For the villagers, he was their real-life hero. Recalling the deceased actor's contribution towards the development of the village, Gorakh Bodke, a member of the Zilla Parishad in Igatpuri and an influential local politician, heaped praise on him during an interview with a leading publication. Bodke told that when he requested Irrfan for an ambulance for those in need, he agreed to contribute one. Later, he began taking a keen interest in the overall progress of the village.

"Whenever we needed him, he stood by us. He gave us an ambulance, sponsored school structures and books for students. He was a guardian angel to so many families. He never said no whenever anyone asked for help," told Bodke.

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Irrfan, as per the report, would donate notebooks, textbooks, raincoats and sweaters to over 1000 tribal students. Apart from this, on festivals, the actor would send across sweets and sponsored a dozen computers so that students stay connected to the digital world. With Irrfan's constant contribution and help, the villagers have decided to rename the district as 'hero chi wadi' which means the neighbourhood of the hero. 

Irrfan breathed his last at the age of 54 in Mumbai on April 29. He was battling cancer for the past two years and is survived by his wife Sutapa Sikdar and sons Babil-Ayaan.

(Source: India Today)