The year was 1982. Amitabh Bachchan, a towering figure in Indian cinema, was filming a fight scene for the movie "Coolie" when a mistimed jump led to a near-fatal accident. The corner of a table struck his abdomen, causing a splenic rupture and significant blood loss. He was rushed to the hospital, where he underwent an emergency splenectomy and remained in critical condition for months. At one point, he was declared clinically dead before being miraculously revived.
News of the accident sent shockwaves throughout India and abroad. Prayers were offered, and people gathered in thousands, urging the star to survive. Among those who offered prayers was Kannada cinema legend, Dr. Rajkumar.
Recently, Amitabh Bachchan shared a moving story about Dr. Rajkumar's extraordinary gesture during a recent episode of 'Kaun Banega Crorepati 17'. Bachchan recounted how Rajkumar performed the 'Urulu Seve' ritual for his recovery. This sacred practice involves devotees wearing wet clothes and rolling on the temple floor as a form of prayer. Dr. Rajkumar undertook this arduous ritual, seeking divine intervention for Bachchan's survival.
"In 1982, I met with an accident on the sets of 'Coolie' in Bengaluru. Many people prayed for me, but Rajkumar Ji did something extraordinary," Bachchan said. "He went to a temple where devotees wear wet clothes and roll on the ground as part of a sacred ritual. He did that for my life".
Bachchan spoke fondly of the late Kannada icon, praising his humility and warmth. "In Karnataka, he is revered like a god, yet when I met him, he was incredibly humble," Bachchan added. "He wore simple clothes, lived in a modest home, and spoke with such warmth that you'd never guess he was one of the biggest stars".
Bachchan revealed that their bond lasted a lifetime. "From that moment until the day he passed away, we stayed connected. I was close to his children too, who have now become stars in their own right. I'm forever grateful to have been blessed by someone like Rajkumar," he said. Bachchan also mentioned that he had invited Rajkumar for a cameo in 'Coolie', but the accident disrupted those plans.
The filming of "Coolie" resumed on January 7, 1983, after Bachchan's recovery. The film's director, Manmohan Desai, changed the ending of the movie, allowing Bachchan's character to live, feeling it would be inappropriate for him to die on screen after his real-life brush with death. The scene where Bachchan was injured was frozen, and a caption was added, marking it as the moment of the accident. "Coolie" was released later that year and became a blockbuster, partly due to the publicity surrounding Bachchan's accident.
The story of Dr. Rajkumar's devotion exemplifies the outpouring of support and prayers that Amitabh Bachchan received during his recovery. It also highlights the deep respect and admiration that exists between figures in Indian cinema. The incident remains a significant event in Indian film history, demonstrating the power of stardom and the resilience of Amitabh Bachchan.
