In a surprising confession on Kaun Banega Crorepati 17, actor Manoj Bajpayee revealed that Amitabh Bachchan once gave him a serious scare, “killed me,” in his words, while filming a stunt nearly 85 feet high. The anecdote has since sparked curiosity, laughter, and admiration for the veteran’s playful yet intense energy.
During the show, Manoj described how the stunt was supposed to be straightforward: they would be harnessed and suspended mid-air, replicating a fall. Because of his fear of heights, Manoj was already tense. The action director tried to calm him: “Close your eyes, I’ll be there, Amit ji will be holding your hand,” he recalled being told.
But once he reached around 80-85 feet, things took a turn. According to Manoj, Bachchan suddenly called out to him in a low voice: “Manoj, kuch ho jaye toh Jaya ko bol dena” — telling him to inform his wife Jaya Bachchan if anything went wrong. Hearing that, Manoj said he panicked even more. “I was already very scared,” he told Big B, according to the promo. “Aur phir aapne kaha, ‘Sach mein ghar pe mere khabar kar dena’.”
The tension in the moment was not just physical: Manoj joked that the whole sequence felt like a “planned mission” to terrify him. “The whole thing was planned — to take me up there, to prank me,” he said.
Bajpayee didn’t sugarcoat how intense the moment was. “Inhone meri jaan le li thi,” he said — “he took my life.” His raw honesty and humor won laughs from fellow guests Jaideep Ahlawat and Sharib Hashmi, but the underlying sentiment was serious.
The story is evocative of a deeper bond between the two actors, one that goes beyond admiration. For a man like Manoj, known for his grounded screen presence and credibility, this tale of physical fear and emotional vulnerability offers a rare, vulnerable glimpse into his dynamic with Big B — the superstar he respects deeply.
It is also a tribute to Bachchan’s larger-than-life persona, and his own penchant for playful theatrics. The prank was not malicious; it was, in Manoj’s recollection, a moment of powerful jest — and perhaps a reflection of the trust between them.
As the KBC episode rolls out, the story is resonating with audiences for its blend of warmth, shock, and nostalgia. Viewers are reminded that even the biggest stars among us have layers — and sometimes, a joke from Amitabh can rattle you in ways you didn’t expect.