Retha Brown
Amitabh Bachchan, one of India’s best-known film actors, has tested positive for Covid-19, he told his millions of Twitter followers.
“I have tested COVID positive, shifted to hospital, hospital informing authorities, family and staff have undergone tests, results awaited,” he wrote.
T 3590 -I have tested CoviD positive .. shifted to Hospital .. hospital informing authorities .. family and staff undergone tests , results awaited ..
— Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) July 11, 2020
All that have been in close proximity to me in the last 10 days are requested to please get themselves tested !
His son, Abhishek, later tweeted he had also tested positive.
Earlier today both my father and I tested positive for COVID 19. Both of us having mild symptoms have been admitted to hospital. We have informed all the required authorities and our family and staff are all being tested. I request all to stay calm and not panic. Thank you. 🙏🏽
— Abhishek Bachchan (@juniorbachchan) July 11, 2020
Bachchan, 77, has been involved in 200 films since becoming a star five decades ago.
He, and Abhishek, 44, have been taken to Nanavati Hospital in Mumbai, and his son described them both as having mild symptoms.
Amitabh is stable with mild symptoms and is currently in the isolation unit of the hospital, news agency ANI reported, quoting a public relations officer for the hospital.
He urged anyone who had been close to him in the past 10 days to get tested. The rest of the Bachchan family – actors Jaya Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, and daughter Aaradhya – have returned negative coronavirus antigen test reports, local media reported.
The news has led to an outpouring of support for the pair on social media. Among those paying their respects were actress Sonam K Ahuja and former India cricket player Irfan Pathan.
“Dear Amitabh Ji, I join the whole Nation in wishing you a quick recovery! After all, you are the idol of millions in this country, an iconic superstar! We will all take good care of you. Best wishes for a speedy recovery!” said India’s Health Minister Harsh Vardhan(2020).
Dear Amitabh ji, I join the whole Nation in wishing you a quick recovery!
— Dr Harsh Vardhan (@drharshvardhan) July 11, 2020
After all, you are the idol of millions in this country, an iconic superstar!
We will all take good care of you. Best wishes for a speedy recovery!@SrBachchan @juniorbachchan #AmitabhBachchan #COVID https://t.co/NHeY7e2mjC pic.twitter.com/CsVKlvCJeG
Bachchan Snr has enjoyed starring roles in hit movies such as Zanjeer and Sholay. Since rising to fame in the 1970s, he has won numerous accolades including four National Film Awards and 15 Filmfare Awards. France has also bestowed its highest civilian award, the Legion of Honour, for his contribution to cinema.
He was also a businessman, setting up the Amitabh Bachchan Corporation in 1995 for event management and the production of films. After the venture failed, he went on to host TV game show Kaun Banega Crorepati – based on the UK game show Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? – and has starred in more movies since. His latest film was the comedy Gulabo Sitabo (2020), released on Amazon.
