Some on-screen duos have an undeniable chemistry that captivates audiences, and John Abraham and Anil Kapoor are one such pair. Their collaborations in films like ‘Race 2’, ‘Shootout at Wadala’, ‘Welcome Back’, and ‘Pagalpanti’ has left a lasting impression on fans. However, did you know that during the filming of ‘Shootout at Wadala’ in 2012, a terrifying incident almost turned fatal for John? It’s true—Anil Kapoor, known for his precision and professionalism, nearly caused a tragic accident on set due to a mishap with his aim. What exactly went down that day? Dive into the details of this shocking event and hear what John, Anil, and the film’s director, Sanjay Gupta, had to say about the near-miss that could have changed everything.
In a dramatic and nearly tragic turn of events on the set of ‘Shootout at Wadala’ in December 2012, John Abraham narrowly escaped death during the filming of the movie’s climax. According to a report by ‘Times of India’, what was supposed to be a routine action sequence at the Haffkine Institute turned into a harrowing experience when Anil Kapoor, portraying ACP Afaaque Baaghran (a character based on the real-life ACP Isaque Bagwan), fired a blank bullet at John’s character, Manya Surve.
The scene called for Kapoor to shoot from a distance of at least 15 feet, but due to a critical mistake by the gun-effects team, the shot was fired from just 1.5 feet away. As a result, the intensity of the blast was far greater than expected, striking John with force much stronger than intended. Fortunately, due to Kapoor’s off-target aim, the bullet grazed the left side of John’s neck instead of hitting him directly. The impact was still severe enough to cause significant burns and could have been fatal.
Witnesses on set described the immediate aftermath as chaotic. One source recalled the sheer panic that gripped everyone present, realizing just how close the accident had come to being deadly. Director Sanjay Gupta was visibly shaken and demanded answers for the miscalculation that had nearly cost his lead actor’s life.
Anil Kapoor later acknowledged the incident, expressing relief that John was not more seriously injured. John himself reflected on the narrow escape, stating, “It could have all ended for me on September 23. I still can’t believe I’m alive.” Despite the trauma, John carried on with his work, though the physical and emotional scars lingered. His neck bore the marks of the incident, and he admitted, “It hurts. But I’m pretending as if nothing happened. It’s something that will take a long time to forget.”
John also shared his thoughts on the incident, acknowledging that in the heat of the moment, no one could have anticipated the intensity of the blanks. He expressed a newfound belief in a higher power, remarking, “I think I should have checked Mr. Kapoor’s gun. I always double-check my own if I’m involved in a firing scene. I’m agnostic, but now I feel there is a God up there.”
Director Sanjay Gupta, still shaken by the incident, admitted that the thought of what could have happened sends shivers down his spine. Remarkably, the very shot that almost claimed John Abraham’s life was kept in the final cut of the movie, with no retakes necessary.
This incident stands as a stark reminder of the risks actors take on set, even when every precaution is supposed to be in place. Despite the close call, John Abraham’s professionalism and resilience allowed him to continue working, while the rest of the team was left to reflect on a near-disaster that could have changed their lives forever.
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