Actor Irrfan, 53, has been kept away from theatres for about two years by what he refers to as “unwanted guests” in his body. This Friday marks the return of one of India’s finest actors to the big screen with the release of Angrezi Medium, a heartwarming tale of a father-daughter relationship. On March 16, 2018, Irrfan shared the shocking news of being diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumour, a rare type of cancer. Almost a year later in the first half of 2019, the actor, who has given us classics such as Maqbool , Life of Pi and The Lunchbox , shot for Angrezi Medium in between his treatment. In a recent recorded message, Irrfan regretted not being able to be part of the promotions of this movie which is made “with so much love”. Yet, the consummate professional that he is, Irrfan responded to our questions via email. Excerpts:

You know what’s worse than one’s fear of death? To live and be dead. I relate to everything which works against the odds. I have faith in miracles and I have faith in obtaining the unattainable with undying spirit. And the father in this film represents that undying spirit.

Husband, wife, daughter, son, uncle, aunt are names of relationships. But the relationship doesn’t determine all the men who are fathers or all the women who are wives. Each story is different as it plays out as the situations are different and in its own way, each is special or I wouldn’t do them.