Coolie stands as one of the most memorable milestones in Amitabh Bachchan’s illustrious career—not just for its box-office success, but for the life-threatening incident that almost claimed his life. Directed by Manmohan Desai, the 1983 blockbuster became iconic for more than its storyline; it was during its filming that the superstar faced a terrifying near-death experience that shook the entire nation.
The Fateful Accident
During the shoot of an intense action sequence with co-star Puneet Issar, Amitabh Bachchan misjudged a stunt and collided forcefully with the sharp edge of a table. What was meant to be a routine fight scene instantly turned tragic. The impact caused severe internal injuries, leading to massive internal bleeding. He was immediately rushed to the hospital, where doctors battled to keep him alive. For a harrowing moment, his heartbeat flatlined—his vitals dropped to zero, and he was medically declared “clinically dead.”
Nationwide Anxiety and Prayers
The news of his critical condition spread rapidly, triggering nationwide panic. Political leaders, film fraternity members, and millions of fans were gripped by fear. Rajiv Gandhi, a close friend of the actor, visited him at the hospital, while across India, people held vigils and offered prayers. Many devotees walked barefoot to temples, fasted, and lit candles, hoping for the actor’s recovery. The emotional wave that swept the country demonstrated how deeply loved and revered Bachchan was by his audience.
A Painful Recovery and Unyielding Spirit
Veteran actor Jeetendra later recalled visiting him at Breach Candy Hospital, where Bachchan, bedridden for weeks, told him he had forgotten how to walk. Such was the toll the prolonged recovery had taken. However, the megastar’s immense willpower became his greatest ally. Despite multiple surgeries and critical complications—including a ruptured intestine and a coma that lasted several hours—Bachchan fought his way back to life.
“I remember when I went to meet him at Breach Candy hospital, post his near-fatal accident on the set of Coolie (1982), he said, ‘I’ve forgotten how to walk.’ He’d been lying in bed recuperating for so long that he was unable to walk. But his willpower helped him fight back," he told Filmfare.
Legacy of Strength
When Coolie, co-starring Rishi Kapoor, Rati Agnihotri, and Waheeda Rehman, was finally released, it not only became the highest-grossing film of 1983 but also a symbol of Bachchan’s indomitable courage. The movie remains etched in cinematic history as the film that nearly ended—yet ultimately reaffirmed—the legend of Amitabh Bachchan.
The Fateful Accident
During the shoot of an intense action sequence with co-star Puneet Issar, Amitabh Bachchan misjudged a stunt and collided forcefully with the sharp edge of a table. What was meant to be a routine fight scene instantly turned tragic. The impact caused severe internal injuries, leading to massive internal bleeding. He was immediately rushed to the hospital, where doctors battled to keep him alive. For a harrowing moment, his heartbeat flatlined—his vitals dropped to zero, and he was medically declared “clinically dead.”
Nationwide Anxiety and Prayers
The news of his critical condition spread rapidly, triggering nationwide panic. Political leaders, film fraternity members, and millions of fans were gripped by fear. Rajiv Gandhi, a close friend of the actor, visited him at the hospital, while across India, people held vigils and offered prayers. Many devotees walked barefoot to temples, fasted, and lit candles, hoping for the actor’s recovery. The emotional wave that swept the country demonstrated how deeply loved and revered Bachchan was by his audience.
A Painful Recovery and Unyielding Spirit
Veteran actor Jeetendra later recalled visiting him at Breach Candy Hospital, where Bachchan, bedridden for weeks, told him he had forgotten how to walk. Such was the toll the prolonged recovery had taken. However, the megastar’s immense willpower became his greatest ally. Despite multiple surgeries and critical complications—including a ruptured intestine and a coma that lasted several hours—Bachchan fought his way back to life.
“I remember when I went to meet him at Breach Candy hospital, post his near-fatal accident on the set of Coolie (1982), he said, ‘I’ve forgotten how to walk.’ He’d been lying in bed recuperating for so long that he was unable to walk. But his willpower helped him fight back," he told Filmfare.
Legacy of Strength
When Coolie, co-starring Rishi Kapoor, Rati Agnihotri, and Waheeda Rehman, was finally released, it not only became the highest-grossing film of 1983 but also a symbol of Bachchan’s indomitable courage. The movie remains etched in cinematic history as the film that nearly ended—yet ultimately reaffirmed—the legend of Amitabh Bachchan.
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