Bollywood superstars Aishwarya Rai, Amitabh Bachchan and son Abhishek test positive for Covid-19
Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan announced on Saturday, July 11 that he tested positive for Covid-19. On Twitter, where the actor has more than 42 million followers, he wrote, “I have tested Covid positive... shifted to hospital... hospital informing authorities... family and staff undergone tests, results awaited... All that have been in close proximity to me in the last 10 days are requested to please get themselves tested!”
But it seemed that he wasn’t the only one in the family to be affected by the coronavirus. Soon after Amitabh shared his coronavirus diagnosis, his son and actor Abhishek Bachchan revealed he also has tested positive for Covid-19. Abhishek took to Twitter and wrote, “Earlier today both my father and I tested positive for COVID 19. Both of us having mild symptoms have been admitted to the 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.”
They were both admitted to Mumbai’s Nanavati hospital. A Nanavati hospital official told Indian Express that both Amitabh and Abhishek were in stable condition. While it was initially reported that the rest of the Bachchan family — Amitabh’s wife actor Jaya Bachchan, Abhishek’s wife actor Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, and their daughter Aaradhya — all tested negative for the novel coronavirus, that no longer holds true.
On Sunday, it was reported that Aishwarya and her daughter Aaradhya tested positive for coronavirus as well. While Amitabh and Abhishek are currently hospitalized, Aishwarya and Aaradhya will reportedly quarantine at home.
“Aishwarya and Aaradhya have also tested COVID-19 positive. They will be self-quarantining at home," Abhishek wrote on Twitter. He added, "The rest of the family including my mother have tested negative. Thank you all for your wishes and prayers."
According to a report in the Hindustan Times, during the nationwide lockdown in India that began on March 25 in the wake of the pandemic, Amitabh worked on several projects from home. He reportedly filmed a public service announcement video, in which he shared preventive measures to curb the spread of Covid-19. He also featured in a short film, ‘Family’, that promoted the importance of social distancing during the pandemic. This too was shot from home and featured other famous Bollywood actors like Alia Bhatt, Diljit Dosanjh and Ranbir Kapoor.
Following that, in May, Amitabh shot several promos for the game show ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’, an Indian version of ‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?’. The Hindustan Times report added that about ten days ago, Amitabh was “dubbing for a promotional/ad film at the dubbing studio at his office”, which is next to his family home.
At 77, Amitabh has been involved in around 200 films. In Hollywood, he made an appearance in the 2013 film ‘The Great Gatsby’. His five-decade-long career includes hits like ‘Saat Hindustani’, ‘Sholay’, ‘Zanjeer’, ‘Amar Akbar Anthony’ and more. Most recently, he appeared in ‘Gulabo Sitabo’ earlier last month.
His daughter-in-law, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, on the other hand, has had a bigger Hollywood career. She’s appeared in films like ‘Bride And Prejudice’, ‘Provoked’, ‘The Last Legion’, ‘Pink Panther 2’, and more.