Eminent film critic Rashid Irani, who was a core member of the Mumbai Press Club Film Society, breathed his last on July 30 at his residence. The noted film critic passed away at the age of 74 after suffering from multiple health issues. Confirming the sad news, Mumbai Press Club issued a statement on their official social media accounts that read, “Rashid Irani, 74, one of the country’s foremost film critics, passed away probably on 30 July at home. He was not seen for 2-3 days; a search by friends, club officials and police led to his home, where his mortal remains were found.”
Soon after this, heartfelt tributes started pouring in from all corners. Ace filmmaker Karan Johar took to his Twitter handle to pay his condolences and shared a priceless memory of him with the late film critic. KJO tweeted, Rest in peace Rashid….I remember all our interactions and conversations so fondly…. Your insight on Cinema will always be treasured.”
Sudhir Mishra also paid rich tributes to the late critic and wrote on his Twitter, “Oh shit !When I came 2Bombay in d early eighties,this was the kind of Bombayite I grew to love. Gentle ,firm , held his own in a discussion but always listened. In front of him his city changed.He was in a sense like d Grandfather in Fellini’s Amarcord:lost near his own house !”
Take a look at the tweets below:
Rashid Irani, 74, one of the country's foremost film critics, passed away probably on 30 July at home. He was not seen for 2-3 days; a search by friends, club officials and police led to his home, where his mortal remains were found. #Rashidirani pic.twitter.com/vGsi2KCzxW
— Mumbai Press Club (@mumbaipressclub) August 2, 2021
Rest in peace Rashid….I remember all our interactions and conversations so fondly…. Your insight on Cinema will always be treasured…..🙏🙏🙏🙏 https://t.co/kWTyaQpmn4
— Karan Johar (@karanjohar) August 2, 2021
Oh shit !When I came 2Bombay in d early eighties,this was the kind of Bombayite I grew to love .Gentle ,firm , held his own in a discussion but always listened. In front of him his city changed.He was in a sense like d Grandfather in Fellini’s Amarcord:lost near his own house ! https://t.co/3X4Pbvrywf
— Sudhir Mishra (@IAmSudhirMishra) August 2, 2021
While talking to PTI, Rashid Irani’s close friend Rafeeq Ellias said, “It is terrible news. Most likely, he passed away Friday morning while having his bath because he was (found) in the bathroom. Since Friday, he had not been seen at the press club or at his usual breakfast place. We all thought he had gone out of town, so we waited, hoping he would be back on Sunday night. But today we got worried. We called the cops and broke the door.”
Ellias also mentioned that Rashid Irani had not been keeping well and had contracted coronavirus last year.
Image Source: Twitter/Mumbai Press Club