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Rajesh Khanna’s Inquiry into Amitabh Bachchan’s Near-Death Experience
Amitabh Bachchan faced a life-threatening situation while shooting for the film Coolie in 1982, when a miscalculated jump during a scene resulted in a severe abdominal injury. This incident led to his emergency admission to an ICU in Mumbai. During a candid conversation in 1990 with fellow Bollywood legend Rajesh Khanna, Bachchan reflected on the profound impact the accident had on him, revealing that the experience was deeply unsettling.
In their exchange, Rajesh Khanna, who was known for his fearless attitude towards life, inquired whether the incident changed Bachchan’s perspective. He asked, “Did it make you a better human being? Did it make you more humble? Or did it make you feel like a superman, knowing that you had conquered death?” Bachchan responded by stating, “I think the people outside talked more about it than me. I haven’t had the time to reflect on it deeply. I may consider it more as I grow older. For now, I can only express gratitude to those who prayed for me.” He added that his family bore more emotional weight from the ordeal than he did himself.
Rajesh Khanna shared his own philosophy regarding death, stating, “If, on my death bed, I am asked, I shall say that I have no regrets, I have had the best of everything. So when death comes, I’ll just smile. I know that I have missed nothing.” He emphasized that a king remains a king, regardless of his circumstances, reflecting an unwavering acceptance of life’s impermanence. Bachchan, while respecting Khanna’s views, expressed that he could not envision death in such a serene light, stating he wouldn’t wish it upon even his worst enemy.
Despite their differing outlooks, both actors experienced shifts in their careers, transitioning into character roles after a period of superstardom. Amitabh acknowledged the inevitability of this change, saying, “We are all going to end up doing character roles whether we like it or not!” He noted the difficulty for audiences to still see him as a leading man; however, he complimented Khanna’s ability to romanticize life and death, indicating that his friend might continue to thrive in romantic roles.
As a testament to his enduring popularity, Amitabh Bachchan remains a significant figure in the Hindi film industry, most recently appearing in the film Kalki 2898 AD.
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