: After Akshay Kumar, COVID-19 bug hits Vicky Kaushal, Bhumi Pednekar #IndiaNEWS #Coronavirus Mumbai: The coronavirus pandemic seems to have hit the Hindi film industry hard. After Akshay Kumar, actors

After Akshay Kumar, COVID-19 bug hits Vicky Kaushal, Bhumi Pednekar #IndiaNEWS #Coronavirus
Mumbai: The coronavirus pandemic seems to have hit the Hindi film industry hard. After Akshay Kumar, actors Vicky Kaushal and Bhumi Pednekar have tested positive for COVID-19 in Bollywood. The list will certainly go, sources associated with the Hindi film industry said Monday. A total of 1,03,558 new COVID-19 cases were recorded Monday in India. With Maharashtra being the most COVID-affected state with 4,52,445 COVID-19 cases, the entertainment industry has taken a major blow. It was trying to return to normalcy post last year’s nationwide lockdown.
Akshay was one of the first actors to resume film shootings. He announced Sunday that he had tested positive for the virus. The 53-year-old actor has been filming back-to-back projects. He contracted the virus five days after starting the production on his action adventure movie Ram Setu here.
Not just Kumar, 45 members of the film’s crew have also tested positive. In a statement Monday, the actor said he has been admitted to a city hospital as a precautionary measure.
“Thank you everyone for all your warm wishes and prayers, they seem to be working. I am doing fine, but as a precautionary measure under medical advice, I have been hospitalised. I hope to be back home soon. Take care,??? he tweeted.
BN Tiwari, president, Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) said a crew of nearly 100 was set to begin filming in Madh Island from April 5. However, when the mandatory COVID-19 tests were done, 40 junior artistes tested positive.
“They all have been quarantined after testing positive. Out of those, 40 were junior artistes while the rest were Akshays make up team, their assistants. Now the shooting has been halted indefinitely,??? Tiwari informed.
Hours after it was announced that shooting on Ram Setu has been put on hold, actor Bhumi Pednekar took to Instagram to share that she has also tested positive.
“I have tested positive for COVID-19. As of today, I have mild symptoms, but am feeling okay and have isolated myself,??? Bhumi wrote on Instagram.
Photo courtesy: Bhumi Pedenkar Instagram
Bhumi’s post was followed by actor Vicky Kaushal’s statement revealing his COVID-19 diagnosis.
“Inspite of all care and precautions, unfortunately, I have tested positive for COVID-19. Following all essential protocols, I am under home quarantine, taking medication as prescribed by my doctor,??? Kaushal said.
The duo was reportedly shooting together for filmmaker Shashank Khaitan’s ‘Dharma Productions’ film Mr Lele.
Both Bhumi and Kaushal urged their fans and social media followers to adhere to COVID-19 safety protocols.
TV actor Ajaz Khan was arrested by the NCB last week in connection with a drugs case.