Peshawar massacre: Amitabh Bachchan says his feelings indescribable

E-Paper | October 15, 2026

Peshawar massacre: Amitabh Bachchan says his feelings indescribable

Dawn.com Published December 18, 2014

The dastardly attack on Army Public School in Peshawar has left many Bollywood greats in a state of shock. In his blog, Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan said that instead of sympathising, the world should pray for the survivors and victims.

The veteran actor posted: "I can reconcile with my mind... I can reconcile with my body... I can reconcile with idiocy... I can reconcile with victory and defeat... but how does one reconcile with the tragedy and the horror of the children in Peshawar, Pakistan...

“Life goes on as does the wheel of fortune... moving endlessly on its axis of all what life and the heavens purported to bless us with... but when you look back, it is time for you to look forward... the horror does not need any accreditation... it does not need attention or sympathy... right now it needs only prayer and thoughts with those little ones.”

Feeling the pain and agony, the 72-year-old wrote: "Going about our daily work is ridden with the thoughts of those that perished... those that shall never see their homes again… those who went to educate themselves, to learn, to understand, to live... and they all ended up a heap of... it is difficult even to talk about it…"

He further wrote: "It is difficult to even begin to describe what our feelings should be, for all that we can possibly perceive is that a prayer and comfort is all that we should be giving to those that survived.”

World

Two ships sink near Hormuz after being hit by projectiles

Israeli settlers set fire to mosque in occupied West Bank

AI worms, fears of ‘major’ incident spur safety calls

rehan

Dec 18, 2014 02:10pm

Since when have Amitabh's feelings become headlines? I believe he said he is VERY worried about "being forgotten" . Must have something to do with that fear.

Recommend 0

syed wasim haider

Dec 18, 2014 02:12pm

A tragedy which is most difficult to imagine, to write. Simply disgusting. It is greatness of Indian Film industry who showed their concern; and why not they are most sensitive people. Thanks for this.

Recommend 0

KRana

Dec 18, 2014 02:28pm

Great Man, great actor with great thought

Recommend 0

Jason

Dec 18, 2014 02:44pm

Don't waste your time Mr. Bacchan. Pakistani Media and Musharraf have already started blaming India for this horrible massacre. As much as I'm saddened by the loss, I strongly feel that Pakistan is only interested shifting the blame on others rather than acting like a man and taking responsibility and accountability of what happened in their own home. A day will come when they will run out of excuses and lies.

Recommend 0

naved

Dec 18, 2014 02:47pm

after that barbaric attack i still looking for any chinese comment. can DAWN dare to publish my comment this time. i belive neither the chinese will care nor DAWN will post this comment.

Recommend 0

Ihtesham Kayani

Dec 18, 2014 02:49pm

Only a human can feel the pain of Peshawar tragedy where innocent students were killed mercilessly and Amitabh Bachchan is a great human without a shadow of doubt.

Recommend 0

Krishankant Jingar

Dec 18, 2014 02:58pm

We Indians are with you at this tough time. Don't have words to describe feeling right now.

Recommend 0

Zainullah Khan

Dec 18, 2014 03:15pm

@Jason You are totally wrong.

Recommend 0

Shah

Dec 18, 2014 03:18pm

@Jason Even Western think tanks are saying Indian and Afghan intelligence agencies are behind TTP. what would you say to them? denilas after denials. Indians wake up, stopn using RAW for killing!

Recommend 0

Vikas

Dec 18, 2014 03:43pm

Mr Bachchan, I respect your feelings. But you don't have to offer condolences because Pakistan has granted bail to the terrorist who killed 200 in your own city.

Recommend 0

Abdullah

Dec 18, 2014 03:52pm

Even beast would cry at what has been done.... let alone the arch rivals.... the attack is on the heart of the world..

Recommend 0

Abhai

Dec 18, 2014 04:00pm

What Musharraf says will not affect how I think, he is only trying to gain some coverage. I think the killing was the most horrendous act and I am saddened. My patriotism isn't flawed, it doesn't affect my sensitivities and my humanity. I share the grief with Pakistanis.

Recommend 0

Devendra

Dec 18, 2014 04:01pm

All of us here in India with Pakistan in this hour of grief. My heart goes to kids who lost their lives and the grieving parents. Our heartfelt condolences to the families and whole of Pakistan.

Recommend 0

Pradeep

Dec 18, 2014 04:06pm

I wish I had a time machine and I could go back to this dark day and offer my life to save these little angels. I wish I could hug Pakistani brothers and share their grief. We are so sorry GOD, we failed you.

Recommend 0

hameed

Dec 18, 2014 04:10pm

We Peshwaraities are in constant grief and the support pouring in from across the world and particlualry from such known voices is heartening and reassuring , GOd Bless u Big B

Recommend 0

Talha

Dec 18, 2014 04:13pm

Even beyond prayers it is time you pressure your government to use its influence over Afghanistan so that they give us Mullah Fazlullah who was the mastermind of this attack and is hiding in Afghanistan.

Recommend 0

apoorva

Dec 18, 2014 04:25pm

@Pradeep cant agree more

Recommend 0

Azmeen

Dec 18, 2014 04:28pm

Thank you, Bacchanal. You have a lot of respect among Pakistanis due to you matchless achievements in the showbiz, as well as positive approach towards humanity.

Recommend 0

Fareed Hayat

Dec 18, 2014 05:48pm

Thank you sir.

Recommend 0

Gul khan

Dec 18, 2014 06:27pm

Thanks Sir.. Thanks to all the indian brothers and sisters..

Recommend 0

Kanwarch

Dec 18, 2014 06:35pm

@Pradeep Thank you brother. Your sentiments are sincere and genuine and are highly appreciated. May Gid keep everybody safe

Recommend 0

OmarFL

Dec 18, 2014 07:07pm

Thank you Mr Bachchan. I cannot believe that even at this stage, people are pointing fingers and trying to act smart

Recommend 0

czar

Dec 18, 2014 07:52pm

I am just amazed with love and solidarity from our brothers sisters from India. It shows we all are brothers in humanity. Pain hurts everyone equally. i appreciate the outpouring of support from our friends and neighbor. Please ignore my ignorant countrymen who still have negative things to say Thank you from Pakistan!

Recommend 0

Dec 18, 2014 08:17pm

@Jason That day has gone by two days ago.

Recommend 0

Muhammad

Dec 18, 2014 08:59pm

Thank you sir!

Recommend 0

Bilal

Dec 18, 2014 10:34pm

Appreciated.

Recommend 0

Sohail

Dec 18, 2014 10:46pm

Great words, Big B. It's a genuine expression of your kindness, empathy and humanity.

Recommend 0

Omer Aziz

Dec 18, 2014 11:57pm

With respects, you are my hero and truly a great person. Thank you for the kind words.

Recommend 0

Vineet Ahuja

Dec 19, 2014 12:42am

99% population of India and Pakistan are innocent and want peace and better life for their children. 1% people are lawmakers / policy makers / decision makers / strategist who run the show mostly from closed doors. Media and other interest groups help them by making their mandate sound like sentiment of the masses. These policies have given nothing to masses and have made them pay the price with their lives and now even small kids are made to sacrifice their lives. Our leaders have played that game for 6 decades and have failed us, enough now already. Only hope is that masses on both side should stay UNITED and any attempt by media or others should not impact their unity. Change will follow if we stay United. May God give strength to families of those who lost their loved ones and may the soul of little angels rest in peace.

Recommend 0

Ayesha

Dec 19, 2014 12:45am

Thank you, Mr Amithab, your words are soothing, and we appreciate.

Recommend 0

Indian

Dec 19, 2014 01:00am

I cried hearing this with tears( although I Dont like Pakistan though we in past belong to near Peshawar.) Condemn such nonsense attack. I m in tears .pray to god to give some sense to terrorists. I wish all Islamic scholars especially religious leaders condemn this attack.

Recommend 0

Asif

Dec 19, 2014 01:23am

Thank You!

Recommend 0

deendyal lulla

Dec 19, 2014 01:46am

He could say a dialogoue from his landmark movies like Mard and Coolie.

Recommend 0

Fawad

Dec 19, 2014 02:12am

@Jason It is the norm for India and Pakistan to deflect blame to each other. There is as much corruption in Indian politics as there is in Pakistan. For the past 60 years we have been blaming each other and using each other's name to push our own agendas. Amitabh did not offer his condolences to Pakistan but to the families who lost their future in these little ones. @ rehan... dont be that guy please.. Dont say if there is nothing you can say. Dont read if you dont feel Amitabh's condolences are not worth a headline. @pradeep ... hats off to you and all the sincere condolences from across the border.

Recommend 0

Red River

Dec 19, 2014 02:42am

what kind of people are they killings of innocence school children?

Recommend 0

Dec 19, 2014 03:10am

Thank you Sir for your prayers for our fallen angels they did nothing to deserve this who so ever was behind this will pay for it one way or another we are down and hurt today but we will rise and over come this pain , grief we greatly appreciate that all love and prayers shown , sent to us from our neighbours at this moment is commendable no matter how bad things or polictics between us even we cannot fathom that anyone remotely human can do such a thing to angels either side of border.

Recommend 0

sam

Dec 19, 2014 05:21am

sorry to see all this happen. Unfortunate around the world after 911 it is clear time and again that violence begets more violence not peace. Unless the cycle of violence is broken with acts of kindness, forgiveness and peace overtures, the cycle continues. This phenomena is not simply happening in Pakistan but is a world wide epidemic now. Amitab should also condemn the violence in India by organized crime and violence against minorities, women such as rape is so common. Many bollywood movies in India depict general violence and violence against women openly.

Recommend 0

sohail

Dec 19, 2014 05:45am

@Vineet Ahuja great comments

Recommend 0

Kabir

Dec 19, 2014 06:39am

@rehan People who haven't done anything remarkable in life, who lives on fringes always despise , dislike the people who have achieved something in life - coz by criticizing them, they think they have achieved something.

Recommend 0

abdur

Dec 19, 2014 07:18am

@Shah typical Zaid Hamid. A statement without proof

Recommend 0

Dec 19, 2014 07:59am

@Fawad, Well said Fawad. Very nice.

Recommend 0

Nasir

Dec 19, 2014 08:18am

Thank you Mr. Buchchan. We really appreciate sharing our grief. Thanks and peace.

Recommend 0

Zulfiqar

Dec 19, 2014 08:50am

@rehan stop the hate please.. it does not belong in these forums.

Recommend 0

Parvez

Dec 19, 2014 12:10pm

@Shah Please tell which 'foreign media' has pointed finger on Indians for this act?

Recommend 0

shyam

Dec 19, 2014 12:58pm

"Aaj jannat me bahoot chahal pahal hogi, suna hai dharti se nanhe farishto ki fauj nikli hai". A message in our society group has us again in tears.

Recommend 0

sajn

Dec 19, 2014 04:21pm

@Shah Let us say worst case scenario is true and foreign agents were behind this. At what point do you ask why the animals that actually did the killing are absolved of any blame? It doesn't matter how many countries/agencies are working against Pakistan, this was not a normal (if there is such a thing) terrorist attack. This was something that even hardened criminals would revolt against. So why blame the other when we should be asking why we have not done enough to remove the cancer within our own body?

Recommend 0

sajn

Dec 19, 2014 04:25pm

@Vikas My friend, please note that Pakistan has not granted him bail, one judge has. We do not all agree with what has happened but that is the legal system that we have. We all know our legal system is flawed but we hope it is improving and that future governments will make the justice system better.

Recommend 0

Batool Imran

Dec 19, 2014 05:01pm

@Jason Everyone, Everyone plays the blame game. Who funds TTP, why the fund it what they want from it is all based on mere speculation. The common man does not know the truth. Stop judging Pakistan and everyone in it on mere speculation of a few. Musharraf is not an angel to say the least. Not everything he says is supposed to be right or wrong. As for the issue of responsibility and accountability I do not see why you have the idea that the breaches in security have not been accepted. Or that this is an invitation of all out war has not been accepted. Yes Pakistan let the Afghan refugees in, and yes you can blame TTP's terror stream in Pakistan on the government but do not say we are the ONLY one playing the blame game. WE ARE NOT. Any attack of terrorism In India or elsewhere is directly all about Pakistan too aint it?

Recommend 0

Sierrabrave

Dec 19, 2014 06:28pm

@Shah heard of Divide et Impera or Divide and Rule. The west is more than happy to oblige when you are so willing to believe in the other being evil

Recommend 0

zia

Dec 19, 2014 08:28pm

Thank you India and Bollywood for these kind gestures. Please do not listen to Musharraf and other like him, see what the government is doing.

Recommend 0

arv

Dec 19, 2014 08:32pm

I dont think even a single country or its agency (even pakistan) said that it was done by india.. Pakistani government did not say anything....

Recommend 0

Naan

Dec 20, 2014 03:44am

India and the world stand with you - no words adequate to comfort you, no tears left to roll down our cheeks. We feel your pain, we hurt in your loss, we send humanity and love across the man made borders. We don't care fr the nonsense where some are blaming us Indians.

Recommend 0

Naan

Dec 20, 2014 03:44am

India feels your pain

Recommend 0

Dec 20, 2014 04:56am

we appreciate and you said very rightly.

Recommend 0

CHANAKYA

Dec 20, 2014 06:17am

In what way Pakistan has benefited by the Partition of the Country?Have they had any happiness or peace of mind for the last 65 years?Muslims left behind by them in India are 10 times happier.Time for everyone in Pakistan to think over the issue.

Recommend 0

Suresh

Dec 20, 2014 01:34pm

What happened in Peshawar was happened much more in Gujarat Massacre, Indian democracy / Supreme court couldn't catch the culprit / killer, see the gr8 democracy.

Recommend 0