Eminent Film Critic Rashid Irani Passes Away

A much-loved figure in Mumbai’s cinema circles and eminent film critic – Rashid Irani – passed away at the age of 74. He lived alone and was found dead at his residence in Dhobi Talao, South Mumbai, on 2nd August, 2021, and likely breathed his last on July 30, 2021. A former accountant and co-owner of the iconic-but-now-shut Brabourne Irani café at Dhobi Talao, Irani had been a film critic for more than four decades. He had multiple health issues.

“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,” shared long-time close friend and fellow film critic – Rafeeq Ellias, told PTI.

He added that Rashid Irani lived with severe blood pressure and diabetes conditions and had contracted Covid last year. Further, a fall at the Film Festival in Goa two years ago, had caused haemorrhage and that this was probably something similar. He lived by himself through his adult life.

The official social media account of the Mumbai Press Club also tweeted how Irani was, “one of the pillars of the Mumbai Press Club Film Society… He will be missed sorely by all members and staff.” The noted critic was a core member of the club, who didn’t miss a day at the media centre writing his reviews and watching films. Rashid Irani had contributed several articles in national dailies like Times of India, Hindustan Times and the website Scroll.in

In a recent interview he had spoken in a recent interview about the difficulty he was facing, managing the isolation and monotony of life in the pandemic. Cinema personalities including Karan Johar and Sudhir Mishra paid rich tributes to the late critic, with Johar saying that Irani’s insight on cinema would always be treasured.