Kannada Legend Rajkumar's Prayers Aided Amitabh Bachchan's Recovery in 1982

In October 2025, Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan recounted a touching story about the late Kannada cinema legend Dr. Rajkumar and his unwavering support during Bachchan's near-fatal accident in 1982.

Bachchan, who was hosting the 17th season of the quiz show 'Kaun Banega Crorepati', revealed that in 1982, he met with a serious accident on the sets of the film 'Coolie' in Bengaluru. As he lay critically injured, many people prayed for his recovery, but Rajkumar took his devotion a step further. The Kannada icon performed the urulu seve ritual, where devotees wear wet clothes and roll on the temple floor, to seek divine intervention for Bachchan's survival.

Bachchan spoke fondly of Rajkumar, describing him as a revered figure in Karnataka who nonetheless remained incredibly humble in person. "He wore simple clothes, lived in a modest home, and spoke with such warmth that you'd never guess he was one of the biggest stars," Bachchan said.

The bond between the two actors lasted a lifetime, with Bachchan remaining close to Rajkumar's children, who have since become stars in their own right. "From that moment until the day he passed away, we stayed connected. I'm forever grateful to have been blessed by someone like Rajkumar," Bachchan expressed.