Irrfan Khan was born and brought up in Jaipur, India. His full name is Sahabzade Irrfan Ali Khan. He was studying for his M.A. degree when he earned a scholarship to study at National School of Drama (NSD) in 1984. After graduating in 1987, Irrfan moved to Mumbai, where he acted in numerous television serials like `Chanakya`, `Banegi Apni Baat` and `Chandrakanta` (Doordarshan), `Star Bestsellers` (Star Plus), etc. He was the main villain in a series called Darr (which aired on Star Plus), where he played the role of a psycho serial killer, opposite Kay Kay Menon. His first stint with big screen came when Mira Nair offered him a cameo in ‘Saalam Bombay’ (1988). But the role was edited out of the final copy.
Irrfan kept busy with theatre and television till he appeared in the critically acclaimed film ‘Ek Doctor Ki Maut’. Since then Irfaan Khan has featured in various mainstream Bollywood movies. Irrfan appeared as supporting actor in most of his movies but things changed when he got lead role in an English film "The Warrior" directed by London based director Asif Kapadia. The film "The Warrior" stormed in international film festivals in 2001 and Irrfan Khan was noticed in a big way. In Bollywood, his first film as the lead actor was Rog, which proved a flop at box office. Irrfan Khan played the title role in the critically acclaimed film Maqbool, an adaptation of Shakespeare’s Macbeth.
In 2003 he acted in writer-director, Asvin Kumar`s short film, ‘Road to Ladakh’. After the film received rave reviews at international festivals, the film is now being made into a full-length feature, again starring Irrfan Khan.
Even after becoming a successful actor in bollywood, he has not severed his ties with television. He used to anchor a show `Mano ya na mano` (airing on Star One).