Actor who lost 10 films overnight after a set accident with Amitabh Bachchan, went jobless for 6 years, is now…

In 1982, Amitabh Bachchan suffered a life-threatening injury while shooting an action scene for ‘Coolie’. During an intense sequence with Puneet Issar, a mistimed jump sent Bachchan crashing onto a table, causing a severe internal injury. Although he initially brushed it off, his condition worsened rapidly, forcing doctors to perform an emergency surgery. The nation held its breath as fans prayed for his survival. The accident is remembered as one of the most frightening episodes in Bollywood history.

In an interview with Digital Commentary, Puneet Issar revealed how the incident led to an unexpected fallout for him. Despite being an accident, he was unfairly held responsible by many within the industry. Filmmakers hesitated to cast him, fearing public reactions and carrying misconceptions about his physical strength. For nearly six years, Issar found himself without work, living through professional isolation and constant judgment. He called this period the most challenging phase of his life.

Before the tragedy, Issar was just 21 and had 10 films signed, including major villain roles opposite top stars. Overnight, everything disappeared. Once celebrated as a gold medalist from the Actors’ Studio and a professor of language and diction, he was suddenly labelled only as a “fighter.” With responsibilities at home and no big offers, Issar accepted whatever roles came his way just to survive. The sharp downfall forced him to rebuild his career from scratch.

The aftermath of the ‘Coolie’ accident meant that Puneet Issar never worked with Amitabh Bachchan again. Though the industry eventually acknowledged the mishap as a tragic accident, the professional gap between the two actors remained. Issar continued working steadily in supporting and action roles, refusing to let the stigma define him permanently. His resilience slowly began to reshape his identity in the industry.

Issar’s career gradually revived through landmark roles and new opportunities. He gained massive recognition for his iconic portrayal of Duryodhana in ‘Mahabharat’ (1988–1990), which restored his standing as a powerful screen performer. He later worked with Abhishek Bachchan in his debut film ‘Refugee’, directed ‘Garv: Pride and Honour’ (2004) starring Salman Khan, and appeared in the hit ‘Sanam Bewafa’ as Khan’s brother-in-law. These milestones helped Puneet Issar rebuild his reputation and carve a lasting space in Indian entertainment.