Actor Saif Ali Khan opened up about the knife attack on him earlier this year at his Bandra residence and revealed how he refused a wheelchair or ambulance after being discharged from the hospital. Speaking on the show Two Much with Kajol and Twinkle, Saif recounted the challenges he faced immediately after the attack and how he insisted on walking out himself to reassure his family and fans.
The January 16 attack
Saif was attacked in the early hours of January 16, 2025, at his Bandra home. The assailant stabbed him six times, targeting his neck and back. He was immediately hospitalised at Lilavati Hospital, where he underwent spinal and plastic surgeries. The assailant was later arrested. Saif was discharged on January 21, a week after the incident.
Refusing a wheelchair at the hospital
Recalling his arrival at the hospital, Saif said, “We walked into the hospital, and they were sleepy in the emergency area. I asked for a stretcher instead of a wheelchair. The staff initially refused, but when I said, ‘I’m Saif Ali Khan. It’s a medical emergency,’ pandemonium broke loose.”
He explained that he deliberately avoided a wheelchair to maintain calm and prevent unnecessary panic among family and fans. “It was very painful to walk, but I could walk. My instinct was not to create panic. I wanted to send a message that I was okay,” he said.
Avoiding the ambulance
Saif also refused to return home in an ambulance. “Somebody said, ‘You should go in an ambulance,’ somebody said, ‘You should use a wheelchair.’ But I thought it was better to walk out myself and reassure everyone,” he said. Host Kajol noted her surprise upon seeing the video of Saif walking out of the hospital post-surgery.
Twinkle Khanna added that Saif’s mother, veteran actor Sharmila Tagore, had advised him to use a wheelchair. She later admitted that if Saif had followed her advice, “there would have been no controversy.”
Support from Akshay Kumar
During the show, co-guest Akshay Kumar praised Saif’s bravery. “Hats off to you for fighting. It was so brave of you. You have been a real hero, at least for your son and your family,” he said.
Saif’s recent and upcoming projects
Saif recently starred in the Netflix film Jewel Thief: The Heist Begins, alongside Jaideep Ahlawat, Kunal Kapoor, and Nikita Dutta, which premiered on April 25. He will next be seen in Priyadarshan’s film, Haiwaan, featuring Akshay Kumar and Saiyami Kher.
Conclusion
Saif Ali Khan’s candid account of the attack highlights his resilience and presence of mind during a critical incident. By refusing external assistance, he not only reassured his family and fans but also demonstrated a remarkable spirit of bravery in the face of life-threatening danger.