8 Years Of Qarib Qarib Single: Parvathy Thiruvothu Remembers Irrfan Khan and a Role That Changed Her Path

Eight years later, Qarib Qarib Single continues to hold a special place in audiences’ hearts — and in Parvathy’s. It was also her debut film in Bollywood. Stepping into Hindi cinema opposite the late Irrfan Khan, Parvathy found herself part of a narrative that was tender, quirky, and quietly profound — much like the two characters at its core.

In her conversation with IANS, she remembers the experience with unmistakable warmth.. “I think the biggest thing I took from my time with Irrfan sir is the value of presence. He made you feel like every moment mattered, without ever trying too hard. Working with him truly felt like a blessing, and it’s something I keep returning to in my work even now.”

That ease translated on-screen into a chemistry that remains one of the film’s most celebrated elements. As Jaya and Yogi, Parvathy and Irrfan created a connection built not on grand romance, but on awkward charm, honest conversations, and the slow, unforced discovery of two flawed people finding comfort in each other’s company.

It’s this authenticity, Parvathy believes, that makes Qarib Qarib Single endlessly rewatchable. "I think people still go back to Qarib Qarib Single because it’s not trying to be anything else. It’s just a simple, honest story about two imperfect people finding a little bit of hope in each other. That kind of sincerity really lasts. Every time I rewatch it, I notice something new, some quiet little detail I missed before.”

Eight years on, the film still marks an important milestone in her journey — a project she chose with instinct, and one that reaffirmed her belief in honest storytelling. And with director Tanuja Chandra and writer Gazal Dhaliwal shaping the film’s emotional core, she feels they ensured the heart of it always stayed in the right place. For audiences, it remains one of Irrfan Khan’s most quietly magical performances, made even more special by the effortless balance Parvathy brought to the screen.