Amitabh Bachchan, one of India’s best known movie stars, has tested positive for Covid-19 together with his actor son Abhishek Bachchan, they said late on Saturday (July 11).
Both were admitted to the same private hospital.
In a tweet, Amitabh Bachchan said that everyone in close proximity to him in the past ten days — including his staff and family — had taken the COVID-19 test and were awaiting results.
According to local media reports, Amitabh Bachchan’s wife and daughter-in-law, Jaya Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, have tested negative.
T 3590 -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 !— Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) July 11, 2020
Minutes later, his 44-year-old son Abhishek Bachchan also tweeted he had been infected.
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
“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,” he said.
“I request all to stay calm and not panic.”
The Bollywood actors were admitted to Nanavati Hospital in Mumbai, India’s financial and entertainment hub.
Speculation on how Bachchan got infected
Shortly after Bachchan’s announcement, speculation was rife on social media on how the senior actor and his son may have contracted COVID-19.
Amitabh had recently shot a promotional video for his quiz show, Kaun Banega Crorepati (Who Wants to be a Millionaire?), at his house, while Abhishek had visited a studio in Mumbai for dubbing work.