Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan has shared chilling details of a life-threatening encounter earlier this year, when an armed intruder broke into his Mumbai home. The violent face-off left the actor with severe injuries, including a nick to his spinal cord that brought him perilously close to permanent paralysis.
A Night That Changed Everything
In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, Saif Ali Khan reflected on the traumatic incident, stating he feels "incredibly lucky and blessed" to have survived. He revealed the gravity of his injuries, which included damage to his neck and spine. "There was a nick to my spinal cord, and that could have led to paralysis, because I had lost feeling in my leg for a while," he confessed. The actor admitted that the thought of being bedridden or paralyzed is a fear that continues to haunt him.
Despite the horror, Khan said the experience has deepened his existing sense of gratitude. "I've always kind of been grateful, and I know that every day is a blessing. This might have accentuated it slightly," he shared, adding that he has always viewed his life as a privilege.
The Harrowing Sequence of Events
Saif had previously recounted the night's events in detail on the talk show 'Two Much,' hosted by Twinkle Khanna and Kajol. He described a late night after watching a movie with his sons, Taimur and Jeh, and a brief chat with his wife Kareena Kapoor Khan after she returned home.
The nightmare began when a domestic helper alerted him to a dangerous situation. "She said, 'There's someone in Jeh's room. He has a knife in his hand, and he says he wants money,'" Khan recalled. Reacting instantly, he rushed into his son's dark room and found an intruder standing over Jeh's bed armed with a knife.
"I tried to remember my training and blocked a couple of them. But then I felt a thump in my back that was really hard," Saif said, describing the violent struggle. He credits his domestic help, Gita, with saving his life. "She aided me in this struggle and pushed the guy off me. She saved my life at that point because he had cut me everywhere," he revealed. The assailant was eventually locked in a room until authorities arrived.
Living with Gratitude and Humor
Even while discussing such a traumatic event, Saif Ali Khan infused his signature wit into the conversation. He quipped, "And yeah, I get the feeling I have kind of nine lives." However, he soberly acknowledged the severity of the attack, calling it "quite close and scary."
The actor emphasized that his narrow escape has reinforced his appreciation for health and life. While he doesn't believe he has fundamentally changed, the incident serves as a stark reminder of his fortune. "I'm appreciative that I am healthy, and that keeps me grateful," he stated, concluding that the experience has only strengthened his belief in living life as a precious privilege.
