Brahmastra, Gangubai Kathiawadi put on hold as Ranbir Kapoor and Sanjay Leela Bhansali test positive for COVID

Bollywood’s two big films Brahmastra, Gangubai Kathiawadi put on hold after Ranbir Kapoor, Sanjay Leela Bhansali test COVID-19 positive; crews screened again

Bollywood found itself in the grip of the Coronavirus as Ranbir Kapoor and filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali tested positive on Tuesday. With this, the shoot of their respective ambitious projects, Brahmastra and Gangubai Kathiawadi, came to an abrupt halt.

Kapoor, 38, was filming the Ayan Mukerji-directed superhero spectacle at a Kandivali studio since February-end with minimal crew. Leading lady Alia Bhatt, having finished most of her portions, reported to the set intermittently as she juggled the project with Gangubai Kathiawadi’s shoot. As per the state government’s on-set guidelines, the unit would undergo tests every week. “Ranbir tested positive on Monday. He immediately went into isolation at his Bandra home. The cast and crew are being screened again,” reveals a source. On Tuesday, the actor’s mother Neetu Kapoor took to Instagram to share an update about his health. The post read, “Thank you for your concern and good wishes. Ranbir has tested positive for COVID-19. He is on medication and recovering well. He is in self-quarantine at home and following all precautions.” 

Sanjay Leela Bhansali shot with Ajay Devgn in February-end

The actor was filming the last leg of Brahmastra, which has been having a long and arduous journey to the finish line ever since it went on floors in 2018. “Only Ranbir’s portions are remaining. Ayan won’t resume the final schedule until his leading man has fully recovered and is ready to bounce back. Ranbir and the unit’s safety is of utmost importance,” adds the source. The actor had apparently planned a small get-together for ladylove Bhatt’s birthday on March 15. The celebrations will happen on a later date.

Ranbir Kapoor with Ayan Mukerji and Alia Bhatt on Brahmastra’s set

Some miles away from Brahmastra’s Kandivali set, the unit of Gangubai Kathiawadi in Film City too underwent another round of screening. Bhansali, 58, had filmed portions with Ajay Devgn in the last week of February, marking their reunion after Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999). Post that, he had moved on to patchwork shoot. "The film's shoot has now come to a standstill. The director is practising isolation in his Juhu office while his mother has taken the test. Meanwhile, Alia has also gone into quarantine while awaiting her test results."

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