BOMBAY TIMES (September 7, 2020)

Arjun Kapoor and Malaika Arora confirmed yesterday that they have tested positive for Coronavirus. Speaking to Bombay Times, Malaika said, “Yes, I have tested positive, and am asymptomatic. I have self-quarantined at home. I will bounce back healthier and stronger.” Arjun took to social media and wrote, “It is my duty to inform all of you that I have tested positive for coronavirus. I’m feeling ok and I’m asymptomatic. I have isolated myself at home under the advice of doctors and authorities and will be under home quarantine. I thank you all in advance for your support and I will keep you all updated about my health in the days to come. These are extraordinary and unprecedented times and I have faith that all of humanity will overcome this virus (sic).”

In July, Malaika, who is on the judging panel of a dance reality show, had resumed shooting for it. Apart from her, two contestants on the show have also tested positive for coronavirus. The crew was going to shoot an episode today, but it has now been postponed. Meanwhile, Arjun had recently returned to shoot for his forthcoming film with Rakul Preet. On September 1, he shared a picture on Instagram from the sets of the film, and said, “Happy to just be back on set.”

With inputs by Rachana Dubey
------------------------
Himesh Mankad & Akash Bhatnagar (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 7, 2020)

On Sunday, Arjun Kapoor took to the social media to inform that he has tested positive for Covid-19. The actor was quick to add that he is “feeling ok” and is “asymptomatic”. “I have isolated myself at home under the advice of doctors and authorities and will be under home quarantine,” he informed.

The news has come six days after Arjun started shooting in Mumbai’s Film City Studios for his upcoming cross-border love story, also featuring Rakul Preet Singh, Aditi Rao Hydari, Neena Gupta and John Abraham, who is also produced it with Bhushan Kumar and Nikkhil Advani. Last week, Arjun had posted a picture from the studio with the caption, “Happy to just be back on set… Grateful to be working again, slow & steady under the right guidelines.” According to sources, the last portion of the film was to be shot in the city around September 10 with Arjun and Rakul, but following the development, the shoot stands cancelled and fresh dates will be worked out soon.

Later in the day, it was revealed that Arjun’s longtime girlfriend Malaika Arora has also tested positive. Like Arjun, even the actress is asymptomatic and has self-isolated. She was shooting for Sony TV’s dance reality show, India's Best Dancer, in which she is one of the judges. Ranjeet Thakur, the producer of the show confirmed that the shoot has been postponed by two days. “We will shoot this week’s episode on Wednesday. We might call in a guest judge to step in for Malaika ma’am. We expect her to join us in the next 10 to 14 days. Everyone else in the crew has tested negative,” he said.