In 1982, a serious incident on the set of the hit film “Coolie” led to a life-threatening injury for Amitabh Bachchan, unfolding into a dramatic episode that lasted for months and thrust Puneet Issar into public scrutiny. This in-depth account brings forth Puneet Issar’s experiences, the aftermath of the action sequence, and the detailed revelations about medical oversights tied to the incident, as told by Issar years after the fateful event, and focuses on the Amitabh Bachchan Coolie accident revelation.
Intense Action Sequence Goes Awry on the Set
The accident took place during the shooting of an action scene for “Coolie,” with Amitabh Bachchan and Puneet Issar at its center. The rehearsal had been meticulously planned, with Amitabh suggesting to Puneet that the punches should connect slightly to preserve the authenticity on camera. However, the planned movements did not go as intended, and the timing of the stunt was thrown off, causing a devastating injury to Amitabh Bachchan. Issar later reflected on this experience, highlighting the split-second misjudgment that led to one of the most critical moments in Indian film history.
“It was a sequence where I was supposed to hit Mr Bachchan, where he was supposed to throw some punches, and there was a camera angle where I was supposed to catch him and throw him against the board and then catch him and throw him on the table. During the rehearsal, it was visible that I was not touching him so Amit ji said that you can touch me because I will back off anyway. When I banged him against the board, it was reflex action that he came forward and the timing got screwed and I hit him. It was just an accident.”
—Puneet Issar, Actor
This statement underscores the unintentional nature of the tragedy. Despite the careful planning, the misaligned movements resulted in Bachchan sustaining a ruptured intestine, leading to a prolonged hospital stay and near-fatal complications.
Aftermath: Public Reaction and Media Scrutiny
The repercussions extended beyond the set as Puneet Issar found himself under intense scrutiny and public judgment. The media landscape of the time was rife with speculation, and some went so far as to label Issar a “murderer.” Rumors spread suggesting the act may have been intentional, fed by stories of rivalry and revenge in the industry. As a result, Issar experienced significant professional setbacks, with producers and directors distancing themselves due to concerns over his physique and his involvement in the accident.
Despite the controversy, Amitabh Bachchan reached out to Puneet Issar during his hospital days. Bachchan reassured Issar, stating that he should not dwell on the incident, reaffirming it was purely accidental. Bachchan later made a public gesture by emerging from the hospital with Issar, showing solidarity and dispelling rumors of any lingering animosity. Through these actions, Bachchan helped restore some of the public faith in Issar’s intentions during the ill-fated scene.
Puneet Issar’s Account of Hospital Care and Medical Oversight
The story of the accident took another turn with Issar’s remarks about the subsequent medical care Bachchan received. Puneet revealed that the critical point in Bachchan’s declining health was due to a delayed diagnosis by the attending doctors. According to Issar, the doctors failed to recognize the severity of the internal injury, specifically the rupture of the intestine, which allowed the condition to deteriorate.
“It was negligence on the part of the doctors because they couldn’t diagnose what was wrong with him, that his intestine was ruptured. If it was just a regular intestine rupture, they could have repaired it but it went from bad to worse.”
—Puneet Issar, Actor
This frank assessment points to a chain of events where not only was the on-set accident life-threatening, but the aftermath was exacerbated by failures in timely medical intervention. The situation, as Puneet described, could have been contained if the medical team had identified the root cause early on. The delays led to a far more dangerous situation, intensifying the emotional turmoil for all those involved.
The Days After: Amitabh Bachchan’s Close Brush With Mortality
Following the accident, Amitabh Bachchan was initially treated in Bengaluru, the location of the shoot, before being urgently transported by air to Mumbai for advanced medical care. His condition was so severe that, during medical procedures, there was a fleeting period when he was declared technically dead. However, beckoned by the prayers and earnest hopes of his family, particularly Jaya Bachchan, and the unwavering support of devoted fans across the nation, Amitabh defied the odds and gradually recovered.
Bachchan’s miraculous recovery was often attributed by him to the spiritual efforts and prayers conducted by countless admirers, as well as the steadfast support of his wife. These fervent expressions of faith and solidarity from fans and loved ones were said to have played a significant role in boosting his morale throughout the arduous journey back to health.
Impact of the Incident on Puneet Issar and Bollywood
The consequences of the 1982 Coolie accident rippled across both Puneet Issar’s personal and professional life, as well as the wider film industry. Issar endured grave loss of opportunities, negative public sentiment, and a lingering stigma associated with being involved in the near-fatal mishap. Industry peers, influenced by public perception and media reports, hesitated to cast him in new projects, impacting his career trajectory for years after the incident.
Meanwhile, the incident prompted ongoing discussions regarding on-set safety practices, actor welfare, and the need for adequate medical preparedness during high-risk shooting scenarios. The emotional turmoil and dramatic narrative associated with this accident served as a wake-up call for Bollywood and others in the entertainment industry, prompting a more careful approach to filming dangerous sequences and ensuring immediate access to specialized care.
Looking Forward: Legacy and Reflection
The Coolie incident and Amitabh Bachchan’s near-fatal injury continue to be referenced in Bollywood’s chronicles as one of the most dramatic examples of how fast circumstances can spiral beyond control on a film set. Puneet Issar’s candid revelations many years later, focusing on the Amitabh Bachchan Coolie accident revelation, have provided valuable insight into the pressures faced by actors both during and long after such traumatic events. His narrative, as relayed in his interview with Siddharth Kannan, further highlights the deep emotional wounds, both public and private, that linger after headline-making moments.
The episode underscores the unpredictable risks actors endure in the pursuit of cinematic storytelling and reinforces the vital importance of safety protocols and responsive medical care. It serves as a testimony to the spirit and resilience of those involved—most notably Amitabh Bachchan, whose recovery was nothing short of extraordinary, and Puneet Issar, who lived for years under the shadow of public misunderstanding and continues to share his perspective in the hope of setting the record straight.
