It's Heartbreaking. He was my Dear Friend and the Bravest Soul": Aishwarya Rai Bachchan on Irrfan Khan's Demise

Irrfan Khan was "the brightest, most genuine, humble, kind and eventually the bravest soul," wrote his Jazbaa co-star Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in an Instagram story after the actor died in a Mumbai hospital on Wednesday. 

Mr Khan, who was 53, waged a year-and-a-half long battle against cancer. He was taken to hospital with a colon infection this week.

To Aishwarya, as to many other co-stars, the much-admired Irrfan Khan was more than a colleague - he was "dear friend." Aishwarya Rai Bachchan also sent "Much love and strength" to the actor's wife Sutapa Sikdar and sons Ayab and Babil.

Her post reads: "Heartbreaking news...so saddened to hear about the demise of my dear friend lrrfan...the brightest, most genuine, humble,kind, and eventually bravest soul.. May he Rest in Peace. God Bless Much love and strength to Sutapa, Babil, Ayan and his loved ones at this very difficult time."

Jazbaa, released in 2015, was Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's comeback project, ending the five-year break she took after her pregnancy and the birth of her daughter Aaradhya in 2011. Directed by Sanjay Gupta, the thriller starred Aishwarya as a lawyer whose daughter is kidnapped and Irrfan Khan as a maverick police officer.

Aishwarya's father-in-law, Amitabh Bachchan also shared a tribute for Irrfan Khan, with whom he co-starred in the 2015 film Piku. Big B described Mr Khan as "an incredible talent, a gracious colleague."

His tweet read: "T 3516 - .. just getting news of the passing of Irfaan Khan .. this is a most disturbing and sad news .. Folded handsAn incredible talent .. a gracious colleague .. a prolific contributor to the World of Cinema .. left us too soon .. creating a huge vacuum .. Prayers and duas"

Irrfan Khan "was an actor for whom I had great admiration," wrote Aishwarya's husband, Abhishek Bachchan.

His Tweet read: "Very sad to hear of Irrfan's passing. An immense talent! An actor for whom I had great admiration. My condolences to the family. Rest in Glory!"