In 2004, while shooting for the film Khakee in Nashik, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was involved in a serious on-set accident that left the cast and crew in shock. The film, which featured Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, and Tusshar Kapoor in key roles, saw a terrifying incident when a speeding stunt vehicle lost control and crashed into Aishwarya’s chair. Amitabh Bachchan, who witnessed the accident, recently opened up about how deeply the event affected him.
The Incident
The accident occurred during an action sequence on the set of Khakee. According to Amitabh Bachchan, the stunt driver lost control of the vehicle, which veered off course and crashed into Aishwarya and Tusshar Kapoor. Both actors were severely injured, with Aishwarya bearing the brunt of the collision. Akshay Kumar quickly intervened and helped pull the vehicle away from Aishwarya before she was rushed to the hospital.
Despite the severity of her injuries, media reports at the time downplayed the incident, calling it a “minor” accident. This portrayal upset Amitabh, who shared the real extent of Aishwarya’s injuries in a conversation with Rediff. He revealed that she suffered lacerations from cactus thorns, a broken bone in her foot, and severe cuts.
Amitabh’s Sleepless Nights
Amitabh Bachchan recalled how shaken he was by the accident, stating that he couldn’t sleep for two nights after the incident. “To see this happen in front of my eyes!” he said, emphasizing the emotional toll it took on him. Aishwarya’s injuries were significant, yet many treated the accident as trivial. “Her injury was reported as trivial, but it was far from that,” Amitabh stressed.
He also mentioned how the Bachchan family took quick action to ensure Aishwarya’s safety. They organized a private plane, provided by Anil Ambani, to fly her back to Mumbai. The flight had to be coordinated with military officials since Nashik lacked a night landing facility. The seats on the plane were removed to make room for Aishwarya’s transport.
A History of On-Screen Collaborations
Before becoming family through her marriage to Abhishek Bachchan in 2007, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan had shared screen space with Amitabh in several films, including Mohabbatein, Kyun! Ho Gaya Na…, and Hum Kisise Kum Nahin. The duo also appeared together in the iconic song “Kajra Re” from the film Bunty Aur Babli, which also featured Abhishek.
Recent Projects
Amitabh Bachchan was last seen in the futuristic film Kalki 2898 AD, while Aishwarya Rai Bachchan recently appeared in Mani Ratnam’s critically acclaimed Ponniyin Selvan: II. Despite their busy schedules, both stars remain close and continue to be significant figures in Indian cinema.
Sources By Agencies
