Positive For COVID-19, Amitabh Bachchan Asks His Closest Person To Be Tested

Bintang Bollywood Amitabh Bachchan (Photo: Twitter rSrBachchan)

JAKARTA - Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan stated that he was positive for the corona virus (COVID-19). He conveyed this statement via his Twitter account, @SrBachchan, Sunday, July 12.

"I tested positive for COVID, was rushed to the hospital, the hospital informed the government, family and employees that all were tested, the results are still pending," he tweeted.

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

Shortly after Amitabh Bachchan announced his condition, the son Abhisek (44) also revealed that he was positive for corona.

Amitabh Bachchan and Abhishek were taken to the Nanavati hospital in Mumbai, India where they had only mild symptoms.

Amitabh Bachchan urged anyone close to him in the past 10 days to get tested.

According to the Indian Express, Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope said all members of their family had tested negative in the rapid antigen test.

Hospital officials said Amitabh Bachchan had come for a preliminary examination after experiencing symptoms. "After he tested positive, he was advised to enter the hospital. He came home and returned to the hospital at 10pm. The hospital notified Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) after the report was positive, "said an official.

Apart from a number of actors and fans, Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari, Ram Vilas Paswan and Prakash Javadekar wish a "speedy recovery" to Amitabh Bachchan, who has battled health problems before.

In 2012, Amitanh Bachchan recovered from tuberculosis. After that, he suffered from Hepatitis B with impaired liver function.

Amitabh Bachchan has appeared in a number of well-known films such as Zanjeer and Sholay. Since his fame in the 1970s, he has won numerous awards including four National Film Awards and 15 Filmfare Awards.

In fact, France conferred the highest civilian award, the Legion of Honor, for its contribution to the film.

Outside of acting, Amitabh Bachchan was elected to the Indian parliament in 1984 on the orders of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.

But he resigned three years later disillusioned by the corruption scandal under Gandhi's rule.

He is also a businessman, founded Amitabh Bachchan Corporation in 1995 for event management and film production. After that failed attempt, he went on to host the TV game Kaun Banega Crorepati - based on the show Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? - and has starred in more films since then. His most recent film is the comedy Gulabo Sitabo, released on Amazon.

In recent months, he has been vocal in helping the government convey its message in the fight against the coronavirus.