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Puneet Issar: From Near Tragedy to Mahabharat Fame
27 Oct
Summary
- Puneet Issar faced six years of unemployment post-accident.
- He was known as the man who nearly killed Amitabh Bachchan.
- Issar insisted on playing Duryodhan, a role that defined him.
Actor Puneet Issar's career took a drastic turn in 1982 following an on-set accident involving Amitabh Bachchan during the filming of 'Coolie'.
Issar recounted that for six years, he struggled to find work and was unfortunately recognized primarily as the individual responsible for Bachchan's near-fatal injury. He emphasized that the incident was purely accidental.
Despite the professional setback, Issar eventually found significant success and a career resurgence with BR Chopra's 'Mahabharat'. Initially asked to play Bheem, Issar insisted on auditioning for Duryodhan, a role that became indelibly linked with his identity and cemented his fame.
The accident occurred during a fight sequence where a mistimed punch led to Bachchan's severe injury, requiring extensive medical treatment and recovery. This event reshaped perceptions of Issar, with many assuming his capabilities as a martial artist, overshadowing his earlier acting achievements.
Issar mentioned that to support his family, he accepted roles he hadn't initially envisioned, having been a trained artist and academic. He also noted that Amitabh Bachchan himself had described the critical moments of his recovery, including being clinically dead for a period before revival.
