Jaideep Ahlawat's dedication of his first Filmfare Award to the late Irrfan Khan was a poignant moment that highlighted the deep respect and admiration the actor held for his idol. Ahlawat, who won the Best Actor in a Drama Series (Male) award for his compelling performance as Hathiram Chaudhary in the acclaimed web series "Paatal Lok," was visibly emotional as he accepted the honor.

The Filmfare OTT Awards, in its maiden edition in December 2020, recognized the outstanding contributions to web series and films, with "Paatal Lok" emerging as a frontrunner. For Ahlawat, the award represented not only recognition for his work in the series but also the culmination of years of struggle and perseverance in the film industry.

In his acceptance speech, Ahlawat expressed his gratitude to the directors of "Paatal Lok," Avinash Arun and Prosit Roy, as well as the writer Sudip Sharma, and producers Anushka Sharma and Karnesh Sharma. He also thanked his co-stars, including Ishwak Singh and Abhishek Banerjee, for their support. However, it was his dedication of the award to Irrfan Khan that resonated deeply with the audience and his fans.

Ahlawat has often spoken about Irrfan Khan's influence on his career and his admiration for the late actor's work. Irrfan Khan, known for his natural acting style and powerful performances, was an inspiration to many aspiring actors, including Ahlawat. The "Paatal Lok" actor had even mentioned in an interview that one of the best compliments he ever received was a meme comparing him to Irrfan Khan. The meme featured Irrfan's picture with a quote saying, "Pata nahi dharti par acting ka kya ho raha hoga," and below it was a picture of Hathiram with the dialogue, "Main sambhal lunga bhai."

The dedication was a heartfelt tribute to someone Ahlawat considered an idol. He acknowledged Irrfan's impact on his journey as an actor and how Irrfan inspired him. In an earlier interview with Bollywood Hungama, Ahlawat shared conversations he had with Irrfan Khan, where the late actor expressed his longing for good stories and characters.

On Instagram, Ahlawat shared a picture of himself with the Black Lady, expressing his emotions. He wrote, "The Black Lady is at home now. I Dedicated this to The One & Only “Irrfan” Sir." He also thanked the Filmfare for the recognition and the entire team of "Paatal Lok."

Following Irrfan Khan's death on April 29, 2020, due to a neuroendocrine tumor, Ahlawat, like many in the film industry, mourned the loss of a remarkable talent. Dedicating his first Filmfare to Irrfan was a way for Jaideep to honor his memory and express his gratitude for the inspiration he received from the late actor. In June 2022, Ahlawat visited Irrfan Khan's family and shared a heartfelt note about feeling at home with them, further underscoring his deep connection with the late actor and his family.

As of June 2025, Jaideep Ahlawat continues to garner recognition for his work. He has received nominations for the IIFA Awards 2025 for his performance in "The Broken News Season 2" and "Maharaj", demonstrating his continued success and versatility as an actor. He is slated to appear in the Netflix movie "Jewel Thief" opposite Saif Ali Khan, further expanding his repertoire.