How Hrithik Roshan Stunt Went Wrong on Krrish

Film-making is often perceived as glamorous and exciting, but behind the scenes, it comes with incredible risks. Many actors and stunt performers push their limits to entertain audiences, sometimes at the cost of extreme danger—or even their lives. Over the years, Bollywood has witnessed several terrifying on-set incidents where stars narrowly escaped death, often due to technical malfunctions, human error, or sheer misjudgment.

From Hrithik Roshan’s 50-foot fall in *Krrish* to Amitabh Bachchan’s near-fatal injury in *Coolie*, many stars have faced life-threatening situations while filming. These incidents highlight the dangers of filmmaking and the silent bravery of actors and stunt teams who risk it all for cinematic brilliance.

This article delves into some of the most infamous on-set accidents in Bollywood, revealing the harrowing moments behind the scenes.

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1. Amitabh Bachchan’s Near-Death Experience in *Coolie* (1982)

One of Bollywood’s most infamous on-set accidents occurred during the filming of *Coolie* (1983), starring Amitabh Bachchan. In a fight scene with co-star Puneet Issar, Bachchan misjudged his timing, leading to Puneet delivering a powerful punch more forcefully than intended.

The impact ruptured Bachchan’s spleen, causing severe internal bleeding. In a shocking turn of events, he continued filming before collapsing moments later. Rushed to the hospital, doctors declared him clinically dead before reviving him with emergency injections and surgery.

Bachchan later revealed that he received **40 injections** to stabilize him. The incident gained nationwide attention, with then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi visiting him in the hospital. The film’s director, Manmohan Desai, changed the movie’s original tragic ending to avoid further emotional distress to fans.

Aftermath
– Puneet Issar faced immense backlash, with some blaming him for the incident.
– Bachchan publicly defended Issar, saying, *”Puneet, it’s not your fault.”*
– The film became a **blockbuster**, with audiences flocking to see Bachchan’s survival story.

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2. Hrithik Roshan’s 50-Foot Fall in *Krrish* (2006)

Hrithik Roshan, known for performing his own stunts, had a terrifying near-death experience while filming *Krrish*. In a scene where he had to jump from a great height, the **safety wires got tangled and snapped**, sending him plummeting **nearly 50 feet** to the ground.

In an incredible stroke of luck, it had rained that day, and nearby shopkeepers had opened **rain canopies** below. Hrithik crashed onto one, which cushioned his fall. Still, he suffered a severe **knee ligament injury** and back trauma.

Aftermath
– Hrithik worked with physiotherapists but continued filming despite injuries.
– The film became a **huge success**, justifying the risks taken.
– The incident led to stricter safety protocols in Indian action films.

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3. John Abraham’s Blank Bullet Incident in Shootout at Wadala (2013)

During the filming of *Shootout at Wadala*, John Abraham faced extreme danger when co-star **Anil Kapoor fired a blank bullet from just 1.5 feet away**. Unlike real bullets, blanks contain gunpowder but no projectile—however, they can still cause devastating injuries at close range.

The gunpowder **burned John’s neck** and collarbone, leaving permanent scars. He later stated in interviews that if the angle had been slightly different, the blast could have **killed him instantly**.

Aftermath
– The incident highlighted the need for **strict gun safety protocols** on sets.
– Years later, Hollywood’s *Rust* (2021) tragedy (where a live bullet killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins) reignited discussions about on-set weapon safety.

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4. Stunt Gone Wrong: Akshay Kumar Saves Lara Dutta from Drowning

While filming *Andaaz* (2003) in Cape Town, Lara Dutta was shooting a song sequence near cliffs when a **sudden wave knocked her off-balance** into the sea. She could not swim, and strong currents threatened to pull her under.

Akshay Kumar, known for his stunt skills, **jumped in without hesitation** and rescued her. Lara later recalled the terrifying experience, saying she temporarily quit swimming-related scenes after the incident.

Aftermath
– The incident showcased Akshay’s real-life heroism.
– Bollywood increased safety measures for water-based sequences.

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5. Salman Khan’s Close Call with a Train in Tere Naam (2003)

In *Tere Naam*, Salman Khan famously walked on railway tracks while a train approached from behind. Due to a miscalculation, the train came **dangerously close** before crew members yanked him away just in time.

Aftermath
– Salman remained unusually composed, later joking about the incident.
– The scene intensified discussions about stunt safety protocols.

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6. Nargis and Sunil Dutt’s Fiery Ordeal in *Mother India* (1957)

During *Mother India*’s climax, Nargis filmed a scene surrounded by flaming haystacks. Suddenly, **strong winds spread the flames**, trapping her inside. Sunil Dutt (her co-star and future husband) **leapt into the fire** to carry her out, suffering severe burns.

Their real-life romance blossomed from this near-tragedy, and they married a year later.

Aftermath
– Strengthened film industry fire safety rules.
– The film became a classic, while their love story became legendary.

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Conclusion

Bollywood’s history is filled with tales of courage, risk, and near-death stunts that could have ended tragically. While actors and filmmakers push boundaries for realism, these incidents serve as stark reminders that **safety should never be compromised**.

The film industry has since adopted **stricter regulations**, but the legacy of these close calls remains a testament to the dedication—and sometimes sheer luck—of those who create movie magic.

Would you like to see a **Part 2** covering more film set disasters? Let us know in the comments!

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Key Takeaways
✅ Amitabh Bachchan’s Coolie accident led to improved medical protocols.
✅ Hrithik’s Krrish fall emphasized wire stunt safety.
✅ John Abraham’s blank bullet incident highlighted gun safety.
✅ Akshay Kumar’s real-life bravery saved Lara Dutta.
✅ Nargis and Sunil Dutt’s bond formed in fire became legendary.

Would you watch a biopic on these real-life Bollywood near-mishaps? Let us know! 🎬