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Puneet Issar, best known for playing Duryodhan in BR Chopra’s *Mahabharat*, has opened up about a difficult chapter in his career following the 1982 *Coolie* incident involving Amitabh Bachchan. The actor revealed that he struggled to find work for six years, as public perception of him changed dramatically. He eventually found renewed recognition through his iconic role in the mythological television series.
Before becoming a household name as Duryodhan, Puneet Issar was building his career in Hindi cinema. However, a fight sequence in *Coolie* involving Amitabh Bachchan became a turning point in his professional life.
In a recent conversation with Amit Bhatia, Issar reflected on the years that followed, describing how he lost film opportunities and found himself known more for the controversy surrounding the incident than for his acting credentials.
Puneet Issar Says He Struggled to Find Work for Six Years
Recalling that period, Issar said he was frequently identified as the man who almost killed Amitabh Bachchan. He emphasised that the incident was accidental and that he had never intended to hurt the superstar, whom he deeply admired.
“I didn’t get work for six years after that, but I became world famous,” the actor recalled.
Issar said he was dropped from some films and struggled to secure the kind of roles he wanted. Despite the professional setbacks, he maintained that he did not blame anyone for what happened.
Looking back, he described the experience as a difficult phase that ultimately taught him patience and humility.
How the ‘Coolie’ Incident Changed His Career
The incident took place in 1982 while Bachchan and Issar were filming a fight sequence for *Coolie* in Bengaluru. A mistimed punch left Bachchan seriously injured, leading to multiple surgeries and a prolonged period of critical illness.
For Issar, the professional consequences continued long after filming stopped. In an earlier conversation with Digital Commentary, he explained that his martial arts background contributed to public assumptions about his physical strength. He holds an eighth-degree black belt, and some people began associating him primarily with fighting and action roles.
Issar recalled that he had been just 21 when his career took an unexpected turn. He said he had around 10 films in his portfolio and had been signed to play the main villain opposite Bachchan.
He also felt that his earlier accomplishments were overlooked. His training as an actor, his achievements at an acting studio and his experience as a professor of language and diction no longer received the same attention.
With fewer opportunities available, he accepted roles he might not otherwise have chosen, partly because he had a family to support.
How ‘Mahabharat’ Turned Puneet Issar’s Career Around
Issar eventually found a major breakthrough with BR Chopra’s *Mahabharat, playing Duryodhan in the television series.
Interestingly, the makers initially wanted him to portray Bheem. Issar, however, was determined to play Duryodhan and insisted on auditioning for the role.
He recalled that BR Chopra and his colleague were surprised by his request, but Issar remained convinced that Duryodhan was the character he wanted to bring to life.
His decision proved significant. His portrayal became one of the series’ most memorable performances, earning him widespread recognition and a lasting place in Indian television history.
Issar said audiences connected strongly with the character, helping him establish a new professional identity after years of uncertainty.
People Suddenly Forgot I Was a Trained Artist
Issar has previously explained how public perception overshadowed his professional achievements. Because of his martial arts training, he said, people began making assumptions about his strength and became apprehensive about working with him.
He recalled that his identity as a trained performer and language specialist was gradually replaced by an image centred on physical strength.
The actor said the experience taught him to remain patient and humble, even when circumstances were beyond his control.
Financial responsibilities also influenced his career choices. As a married man, he needed to continue earning, which meant accepting work even when the available roles did not align with his original ambitions.
His account highlights the personal and professional challenges of rebuilding a career when public perception begins to overshadow an actor’s body of work.
Amitabh Bachchan Recalled His Critical Condition
Bachchan has also discussed the severity of his medical emergency in a personal blog post. He recalled that his condition deteriorated after he was admitted to Mumbai’s Breach Candy Hospital.
The superstar described how doctors worked to revive him after he was reportedly clinically dead for a few minutes. His recovery became one of the most widely remembered episodes of his life.
While Bachchan eventually returned to work, Issar says the experience marked a prolonged period of professional uncertainty for him before *Mahabharat* opened a new chapter in his career.
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