Veteran Bengali actor Soumitra Chatterjee, who is known for films like Apur Sansar, Charulata and Parineeta, has tested positive for Coronavirus. His daughter Poulami Basu said, “He is stable now. He had a low grade temperature for two days. We admitted him to a private hospital on Tuesday after his positive report a day earlier. Right now, his temperature is normal.”

Harshvardhan Rane, who has been seen in films such as Sanam Teri Kasam and Paltan, also revealed on social media yesterday that he tested COVID positive. “I had a fever and stomach ache, and went to a hospital to get an opinion. They said it’s mostly viral fever and performed a routine COVID test to rule it out. My Aarogya Setu App now says I’m COVID positive! Okay then, guess it’s 10 days of isolation from here on (sic),” he wrote.

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Dadasaheb Phalke awardee Soumitra Chatterjee has tested positive for Covid-19. The 85-year-old Bengali film actor was admitted to a private hospital in Central Kolkata on Tuesday at around 11 am. He is reported to be stable. A medical board has been formed for his treatment as the octogenarian suffers from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and diabetes and had been admitted to the hospital due to pneumonia in 2019.

Chatterjee had completed a series in the last week of September and was currently shooting for his biopic.

“He had low-grade fever for the last two days and tested positive on Monday after which he was admitted to the hospital. His condition is stable,” a family member reiterated.

Chatterjee is the first Indian film personality to be conferred with Legion of Honour, France’s highest civilian award, in 2018. He was also honoured with the Padma Bhushan and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Tagore Ratna. He received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India’s top film honour, in 2012, and bagged three National Awards for films like Antardhan, Dekha and Padokkhep.

Starting with his debut film, Apur Sansar, in 1959, he went on to do 14 films with mentor Satyajit Ray, including Devi, Teen Kanya, Charulata, Ghare Baire, Sonar Kella, Joi Baba Felunath and Ganashatru. He reigned as Bengal’s matinee idol for several years and later distinguished himself in character roles.