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Amitabh Bachchan’s Coolie Accident: A Turning Point in Bollywood History

A pivotal event that shocked fans and changed lives

Amitabh Bachchan’s near-fatal incident on the set of the film Coolie in 1982 is etched in the annals of Bollywood history as one of the most harrowing and astonishing events. During a critical action sequence, actor Puneet Issar was meant to stage a mock punch directed at Bachchan. However, the situation escalated dramatically when Bachchan miscalculated a jump, resulting in him landing awkwardly on a table. This blunder led to a severe injury that threatened his life and required immediate surgical intervention. As news of the incident spread, the country held its breath, united in hope for his swift recovery.

The aftermath of this accident was tumultuous for Puneet Issar, who faced intense backlash despite adhering to the planned choreography. In an unexpected twist of fate, Amitabh Bachchan exhibited remarkable generosity, comforting Issar during his recovery and assuring him that it was merely an accident. Although Bachchan harbored no resentment, the incident had lasting repercussions for Issar, with many industry insiders nearly blacklisting him, which resulted in a considerable hiatus from work.

In a reflective interview with Rediff, Issar expressed admiration for Bachchan’s character, recalling, “I remember Mr. Bachchan telling me, ‘Puneet relax, it happened to me also. It was an accident. You didn’t mean it.’ Look at the greatness of that man. He told me all this when he was in hospital.” His sentiments reveal the deep impact Bachchan had not only on his career but also on his personal resilience during a time of distress.

Despite this reassurance, the road was challenging for Puneet Issar in the years following the accident. He recounted, “I would go to the hospital regularly to see Amitji. For 3, 4 years, I did not get any work. I had a wife to support and was jobless. I did Z grade films at that time.” It wasn’t until he endured a long six-year struggle that opportunities began to materialize again, eventually leading to his portrayal of Duryodhan in B R Chopra’s acclaimed television series, Mahabharata.

Throughout this daunting period, Puneet Issar and his wife maintained a connection with the Bachchan family. They visited Amitabh in the hospital, where his wife even donated blood, demonstrating their unwavering support. Issar expressed his gratitude towards the Bachchan family, particularly Jaya Bachchan, recalling her kindness during their difficult times. “He is a great man. I was petrified and thought all this had happened because of me. The press wrote all kinds of things about me, and I was paranoid,” he shared, emphasizing the emotional toll stemming from the incident.

While Puneet Issar never reunited with Amitabh Bachchan on screen following the events of Coolie, he did have the chance to work alongside Abhishek Bachchan, Amitabh’s son, in his debut film, Refugee, providing a sense of closure and continuity in his career.

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