Mumbai: The youth of the country praised the 49 year old actor, the star of Maqbool, Haasil and frequent Hollywood collaborator, after his blunt commentary on the star struck nation.

“It pains me when a film actor or a cricketer is a youth icon.“, He said. "They are not heroes.”.

We totally agree. With the Bollywood roster being filled by people involved in terrorism, manslaughter, rape, criminal intimidation, sexual exploitation and dealings with the underworld, one would assume it would be safe to say that Actors are not quite the role models one would envision for the youth.

"Irrfan has always been a voice of sobriety and groundedness in the Bollywood Universe,” said respondent Saara Akaash. “But it remains to be seen if this is just guerrilla marketing for his new movies.”

But the meaning of the Jurassic Park actor’s statement was lost upon several fans.

“I love Irrfan Khan,” says college student Irfan Khan. “He is my favourite actor and he has shown what a good role model he is yet again. He is truly an Icon we should aspire to.”

This seemed to be the general opinion as young film-goers continued to heap praises on him, repeatedly and vehemently venerated him as a Hero.