Abhishek Bachchan recently shared his recollections of the traumatic period following Amitabh Bachchan's near-fatal accident on the set of "Coolie" in 1982. In a recent interview, Abhishek discussed how his mother, Jaya Bachchan, shielded the family from the severity of the situation.
The incident occurred while Amitabh Bachchan was filming a fight sequence with Puneet Issar for the movie "Coolie" at Bangalore University. During the scene, Amitabh was supposed to jump and land on a table, but he misjudged the jump, and the table's edge struck his abdomen, causing severe internal bleeding. He was immediately rushed to the hospital and underwent multiple surgeries. At one point, he was declared clinically dead before being revived by doctors.
Abhishek, who was around six years old at the time, remembers the night of the accident vividly. He recounted waiting at the hotel with his sister, Shweta, for their father to return from the shoot. When Amitabh arrived, he was surrounded by people helping him walk. Abhishek went to hug his father, but Amitabh pushed him away, unaware that his father was injured, Abhishek felt angry and confused.
To shield the children from the trauma, Jaya Bachchan made the hospital visits seem like a game. Abhishek stated that he doesn't remember seeing his mother cry during that time. According to Abhishek, his mother made the hospital visits as jovial as possible in order to shield the children from any kind of trauma.
Jaya Bachchan's strength and composure during the crisis were also noted by Puneet Issar. Issar recalled the immense kindness the Bachchans showed him after the accident. Despite the hostility from fans and media, Amitabh and Jaya were supportive and understanding, recognizing the incident as a tragic accident. Amitabh even met with Puneet in the hospital and reassured him that accidents happen in action filmmaking. Jaya's graciousness and empathy left a lasting impact, helping Issar cope with the guilt and anxiety he felt.
The "Coolie" accident was a harrowing experience for the Bachchan family and the entire nation. Amitabh's recovery was long and painful, involving multiple surgeries and a significant loss of physical strength. He had to relearn how to walk and regain his health over several months. August 2, the day he was revived, is celebrated by his fans as his second birthday.
Despite the trauma, the Bachchans emerged stronger, demonstrating resilience and grace in the face of adversity. Jaya Bachchan's efforts to protect her children and the family's kindness towards Puneet Issar highlight their strength and compassion during a difficult time.
