Late actor Amjad Khan’s son Shadaab Khan recently opened up about the tragic road accident that changed his father’s life forever and revealed how Amitabh Bachchan stood firmly by the family during the difficult period.Amjad Khan, best remembered for his iconic portrayal of Gabbar Singh in Sholay, died on July 27, 1992, at the age of 51 in Mumbai after suffering a heart attack. The actor had battled several health complications over the years following a severe road accident in 1976, which led to major injuries, weight gain and long-term medical issues.‘Dad almost nahi bache’Speaking about the horrific Goa accident that took place during the shoot of The Great Gambler, Shadaab recalled how the car skidded on a wet road and crashed into a tree.“Dad almost nahi bache,” he told Vickey Lalwani, adding that his mother was pregnant with his sister at the time of the accident.Shadaab revealed that Amitabh Bachchan extended immense support to the family after the crash. He also shared an emotional anecdote involving legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray, who visited Amjad Khan in hospital while planning Shatranj Ke Khiladi.“Satyajit Ray hospital aaye aur dad se kaha, ‘Main ‘Shatranj Ke Khiladi’ bana raha hoon aur tum mere Wajid Ali Shah ho. Agar tumhe kuch ho gaya toh main film shelve kar dunga. Isliye meri film ke liye mat marna,’” Shadaab shared.According to him, Amjad Khan was semi-conscious but still registered Ray’s words.‘Ek saal tak almost bed-ridden rahe’Talking about the impact of the accident on his father’s health, Shadaab said the injuries caused irreversible changes in Amjad Khan’s life.“Accident ‘Sholay’ aur ‘Charas’ ke beech hua tha. Unki multiple bones toot gayi thi, lung rupture hua tha, throat injury hui thi. Ek saal tak almost bed-ridden rahe,” he said.Shadaab added that Amjad Khan, who was once deeply passionate about cricket and badminton, could no longer exercise after a rod was inserted into his leg for nearly two decades.“Exercise band ho gayi aur weight gain shuru ho gaya,” he revealed.‘Main kuch seconds late tha’Shadaab also emotionally recalled the night his father passed away in 1992.“Main ghar aaya toh mom ne kaha, ‘Jaake dekho, dad uth nahi rahe.’ Main gaya toh woh cold the,” he said.According to him, doctors urgently asked for an injection after Amjad Khan suffered a massive heart attack.“Main gaadi pagal ki tarah chala ke injection lekar aaya, lekin mujhe bola gaya ki main kuch seconds late tha,” he shared.The trauma left a deep emotional scar on him. “Maine ghar ki crockery tod di, wall pe punch maara, dad ke ek dost ko bhi push kar diya tha. 18 se 21 tak mera phase bahut turbulent tha,” Shadaab admitted.‘Romana ne mujhe calmer insaan bana diya’Shadaab credited time, work and his wife Romana for helping him heal emotionally over the years.“Main industry mein aaya, kaam karna shuru kiya toh gussa dheere-dheere kam hone laga. Phir meri wife Romana meri life mein aayi. Arranged marriage thi,” he said.He concluded by saying, “Main maanta hoon ki sahi insaan aapko better person bana deta hai. Mere andar jo real change aaya, woh meri shaadi ke baad aaya. Romana ne mujhe calmer aur more balanced insaan bana diya.”
