Coronavirus update: Eight crew members of Rajinikanth’s Annaatthe test positive for COVID-19, shoot halted

The shoot of actor Rajinikanth’s upcoming Tamil film Annaatthe, which has been taking place in Hyderabad over the past few weeks, had to be halted on Wednesday after eight crew members tested positive for the coronavirus, as per Tamil television news reports.

Rajinikanth, Nayanthara arrive in Hyderabad for Annaatthe shoot, see pics

According to reports, Rajinikanth will return to Chennai later today or early tomorrow.

In a recent interaction with reporters in Chennai, Rajinikanth revealed close to 40% of shooting was remaining for the project in which he plays a caring brother to Keerthy Suresh's character.

Annaatthe is Nayanthara's second consecutive film opposite Rajinikanth after Darbar (2020), which was directed by A.R Murugadoss.

Rajinikanth is expected to complete shooting for the film in three to four weeks and then shift focus to his political journey. He recently announced that he would soon launch his own party and take the full-length plunge into politics.

Earlier this month, Rajinikanth took to Twitter to reveal that he was finally ready to take the long-delayed political plunge.

In a brief statement, the star said that his party would be non-corrupt, honest and transparent. He also said that it would sweep the next state assembly elections.