Coronavirus update: Akshay Kumar tests positive for COVID-19, will not attend Cannes Festival

Akshay Kumar has tested positive for COVID-19 and will not be able to attend the Cannes Festival 2022.

Sharing the news on Twitter, Akshay Kumar wrote, "Was really looking forward to rooting for our cinema at the India Pavilion at Cannes 2022, but have sadly tested positive for Covid. Will rest it out."

The veteran star was supposed to walk the red carpet on the opening day of the 75th Cannes Festival as part of the Indian contingent along with music composer AR Rahman, actor-filmmaker R Madhavan, actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui, actresses Nayanthara and Tamannaah Bhatia, and filmmaker Shekhar Kapur.

This is the second time Akshay Kumar has tested positive for COVID-19. He had previously tested positive in April last year.

Meanwhile, Akshay Kumar is due to be seen next on the big screen in Chandraprakash Dwivedi's film Prithviraj (2022). The historical action drama, which also marks the big-screen debut of Miss World 2017 Manushi Chhillar, is the story of the twelfth century warrior king Prithviraj Chauhan. Akshay Kumar plays the titular role, while Chhillar plays the part of the princess Sanyogita, one of his wives. The film is slated for release on 3 June in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu.