Film star tests positive after Bollywood dynasty is struck by celebrity Covid outbreak
BOLLYWOOD was left reeling yesterday after actress Aishwarya Rai tested positive for coronavirus, 24 hours after her actor-husband Abhishek Bachchan and father-in-law, Amitabh, also an actor, were taken to hospital with the infection. Rai’s eight-year-old daughter, Aaradhya, has also tested positive.
Abhishek Bachchan had recently dubbed one of his movies, sparking fears of an outbreak within the Indian film industry. Health officials have so far identified 30 people as high-risk contacts but indicated that there may be more. They said they were checking how many other celebrities may have been in contact with the family.
Mr Bachchan tweeted: “My father and I remain in hospital till the doctors decide otherwise. Everyone please remain cautious and safe. Please follow all rules!
“Aishwarya and Aaradhya have also tested Covid-19 positive. They will be self-quarantining at home. The Mumbai Municipal Corporation has been updated of their situation and are doing the needful,” he said.
“The rest of the family including my mother have tested negative. Thank you all for your wishes and prayers.”
Legendary Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan, 77, and his son Abhishek tested positive on Saturday. He urged all those in proximity with him in the previous 10 days to get tested. Rai, 46, a former Miss World, has worked in several Bollywood and Hollywood films. She is a brand ambassador for several multinationals.
Authorities fumigated the Bachchans’ upmarket residence in Mumbai, spraying disinfectant in the large compound comprised of four bungalows.
Vishwas Mote, the assistant municipal commissioner, said: “All four bungalows of the Bachchan family have been sealed and declared as a containment zone. We are conducting contact tracing among all staff members, and till now 30 have been identified as high risk contacts.”
Bollywood recently resumed film shoots after a hiatus following the nationwide lockdown in late March.