Amitabh Bachchan was once declared ‘clinically dead’ after suffering a fatal injury on the sets of his blockbuster film Coolie. His condition quickly became life-threatening, but Jaya Bachchan remained his unwavering support. Her strength and resilience played a crucial role in his recovery, refusing to let fate take its course.
The accident happened on the sets of Coolie, a film that became a blockbuster, but not just for its story or performances. It was remembered for a near-fatal mishap that shocked the nation. During a fight scene with Puneet Issar, Amitabh Bachchan mistimed a jump and hit the edge of a table, causing a serious internal injury. What was meant to be a routine stunt turned into a life-threatening situation.
Amitabh was rushed to the hospital with severe internal bleeding. Doctors struggled to stabilize him, but his condition worsened. At one point, his vitals dropped to zero, and he was declared clinically dead. The news spread quickly, leaving colleagues and politicians, including his close friend Rajiv Gandhi, deeply worried. Fans across the country prayed for his recovery—some fasted, while others walked barefoot to holy sites, hoping for a miracle.
Years later, in an interview with Simi Garewal, Amitabh Bachchan opened up about the terrifying experience of being declared clinically dead. He revealed that the accident had caused a severe intestinal rupture, leading to a coma. After an emergency surgery, he was taken to Bombay, but complications arose when the sutures ruptured, requiring another operation. Following this second surgery, he remained unresponsive for 12-14 hours, with his pulse nearly absent and blood pressure dropping to critical levels. At that moment, doctors feared the worst, believing he might not survive.
Inside the hospital, Jaya Bachchan held onto hope despite the grim situation. Years later, on Rendezvous with Simi Garewal, she recalled gripping the Hanuman Chalisa, unable to read the words or accept the thought of losing her husband. As doctors desperately worked to revive him, she suddenly noticed a faint movement in his toe. At that moment, she knew he was still fighting.
Describing the emotional ordeal, Jaya shared how her brother-in-law had prepared her for the worst, but she refused to believe it. One of the doctors told her that only prayers could help. Though she couldn’t see what was happening clearly, she watched as the medical team pumped his heart and administered injections. Just when all hope seemed lost, she saw Amitabh’s toe move and immediately cried out, “He moved, he moved!” Moments later, he miraculously regained consciousness.
Even though Big B was revived, his struggle had just begun. In the following days, he underwent multiple surgeries, which took a severe toll on his health. Reports suggest he lost nearly 75 percent of his body strength. By the time the procedures were completed, he could no longer walk and had to relearn the basic movement. The exhaustion was visible—his once-strong physique had weakened, his face had changed, and his hair had thinned. From being a dynamic presence on the silver screen, Amitabh now faced the challenge of simply standing on his feet again.
