Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, one of Bollywood’s most beloved actresses, suffered a terrifying accident while filming the 2004 movie Khakee. The incident left her co-stars and crew members shaken, especially Amitabh Bachchan, who would later become her father-in-law. In a shocking revelation, Amitabh Bachchan admitted that he couldn’t sleep for two nights after witnessing Aishwarya’s injuries firsthand.
The Frightening Accident
The accident occurred during the shooting of Khakee near Nashik, Maharashtra, in 2003. Aishwarya Rai, along with her co-stars Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, and Tusshar Kapoor, were on set when a stuntman lost control of a speeding car. The car skidded and crashed directly into Aishwarya’s chair, catching both her and Tusshar Kapoor off guard.
Akshay Kumar, known for his quick thinking and bravery, immediately stepped in to help. He pulled the car away from Aishwarya and rushed her to a nearby hospital for treatment. The entire cast and crew were left deeply disturbed by the incident.
Amitabh Bachchan’s Sleepless Nights
Amitabh Bachchan, who would later become Aishwarya’s father-in-law following her marriage to his son Abhishek Bachchan, was particularly upset by the accident. He expressed his frustration with how the media downplayed the severity of Aishwarya’s injuries, labeling them as minor.
In an interview with Rediff, Amitabh Bachchan shared the gravity of the situation and his deep concern for Aishwarya. He revealed that he had offered to arrange for Anil Ambani’s private plane to take Aishwarya back to Mumbai for further treatment. However, due to the lack of night landing facilities in Nashik, special permission was needed to land the plane at a military base 45 minutes away from the hospital. The seats had to be removed from the aircraft to accommodate Aishwarya.
Despite these efforts, the media continued to brush off the incident as trivial, which deeply bothered Amitabh Bachchan. He recalled the traumatic event, saying, “For two nights, I couldn’t sleep. To see this happen in front of my eyes! Her back was lacerated with cactus thorns. The bone in the rear portion of her feet is broken. She suffered severe cuts. And her injury was reported as trivial.”
The Extent of Aishwarya’s Injuries
Contrary to the media’s portrayal, Aishwarya Rai’s injuries were far from minor. Amitabh Bachchan witnessed the accident firsthand and described the severity of her condition. Aishwarya’s back was pierced with cactus thorns, the bone in her foot was broken, and she had suffered severe cuts.
Following the accident, Aishwarya was flown to Mumbai in a helicopter and admitted to Hinduja Hospital. She received ten stitches and was placed on bed rest for a month to recover from her injuries.
Akshay Kumar: The Real-Life Hero
Akshay Kumar’s quick thinking and bravery during the accident did not go unnoticed. He played a crucial role in ensuring Aishwarya’s safety and swift medical attention. However, being the humble person he is, Akshay downplayed his actions when asked about the incident.
In an interview, Akshay said, “I did not ‘save’ Aishwarya Rai’s life. That sounds very dramatic. I just happened to be there when she was in a distressed situation. So I did the most logical thing: I drove her to a hospital. That is it. I would do the same for anyone.”
The Infamous “Aishwarya Point”
The spot where Aishwarya Rai’s accident occurred has now become known as “Aishwarya Point.” Interestingly, 12 years after the incident, Aishwarya’s husband, Abhishek Bachchan, found himself shooting at the very same location for his film All Is Well.
Sharing a photo from the spot on social media, Abhishek wrote, “How life comes a full circle. I was shooting today at this location which is called Aishwarya point!!! Yup you read it correct. This is the same location where 12 yrs ago Aishwarya was shooting for Khakee and had an accident where a bus crashed into her. She miraculously survived (thank God!). This is that very spot, hence the name. And today I shot here a car chase with a truck.”
A Crucial Film for Aishwarya’s Career
Kyun! Ho Gaya Na held significant importance for Aishwarya Rai’s career. Prior to this film, her previous movies, Kuch Naa Kaho and Dil Ka Rishta, had not performed well at the box office. Aishwarya hoped that this film would help revive her career and establish her as a leading actress in Bollywood.
At the same time, Aishwarya was also dealing with personal challenges. She had recently gone through a highly publicized breakup with Salman Khan, whom she had been dating since their film Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam in 1999. The end of this relationship added to the pressure she felt to deliver a successful film.
Amitabh Bachchan’s Support and Professionalism
Throughout her career, Aishwarya Rai has spoken highly of Amitabh Bachchan’s support and professionalism. She has recalled how Big B was incredibly supportive during her accident on the sets of Khakee, taking charge of the situation and arranging for her medical care and transportation.
Aishwarya has also praised Amitabh Bachchan’s dedication and kindness, noting that despite his iconic status, he remains approachable and fun to work with. His presence on set brings a sense of comfort and encouragement to his co-stars.
The Impact on Aishwarya and Abhishek’s Relationship
While the accident on the sets of Khakee was undoubtedly a traumatic experience for Aishwarya Rai, it also played a role in bringing her closer to her future husband, Abhishek Bachchan. Abhishek, being Amitabh Bachchan’s son, was well aware of the incident and the support his father provided to Aishwarya during that difficult time.
In the years following the accident, Aishwarya and Abhishek’s relationship blossomed, and they eventually tied the knot in a grand ceremony in April 2007. The couple has since become one of Bollywood’s most beloved and respected pairs, known for their love, support, and dedication to each other.
