Actor Rajesh Sharma hospitalised after ‘insect bite’; film body seeks probe

Actor Rajesh Sharma remains under medical observation after being admitted to a private hospital in Kolkata after a suspected insect bite during the shooting of the film Fauji, starring Prabhas, in Hyderabad's Ramoji Film City.

According to a statement issued by actor Sudipa Chatterjee on behalf of Sharma's family, the actor was interacting with local technicians in a densely vegetated area after the shoot when he felt what appeared to be an insect bite.

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However, that statement from Chatterjee is now deleted from social media.

Fauji makers deny incident

Fauji makers have denied the incident during the shooting and said the actor had wrapped up his schedule one week before the media reports of the incident and had returned home, reports said.

As the discomfort initially seemed minor, Sharma did not seek immediate medical attention. However, about six hours later, he developed severe pain in his right leg and his condition began to worsen, the statement had said.

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Despite the symptoms, Sharma boarded a flight to Kolkata, during which he developed a high fever. He was admitted to Manipal Hospital in Dhakuria the following day, Tuesday, and remains under close medical supervision, it said.

The family said the actor is suffering from high fever, breathlessness and a rapidly spreading infection in his right leg. The infection has reportedly spread from his toes to his knee, with large blisters forming over the affected area.

Sharma is a well-known actor in Bengali and Hindi cinema and has appeared in several critically acclaimed and commercially successful films.

Among his notable works are Khosla Ka Ghosla (2006), Ishqiya (2010), No One Killed Jessica (2011), Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015), and MS Dhoni: The Untold Story (2016).

AICWA seeks probe; Akshay Kumar ‘concerned’

Meanwhile, the All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) has urged Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy to order an immediate high-level investigation into the incident.

“The investigation should determine the exact cause of actor Rajesh Sharma’s medical emergency, examine whether all workplace safety, hygiene and emergency medical protocols were followed, and identify any negligence on the part of the producer, production house or any other responsible authority,” AICWA said in a statement on X (Formerly Twitter).

"Actor Rajesh Sharma's health reportedly deteriorated severely during the shooting schedule, following which he travelled to Kolkata and was admitted to a private hospital for medical treatment. The circumstances that led to such a serious medical emergency remain unclear and warrant an immediate, impartial and transparent investigation," the association said.

“The seriousness of the incident has become even more alarming in view of the latest medical update. Rajesh Sharma remains under close medical observation and is reportedly still not out of danger. Considering the gravity of his condition, AICWA believes that a thorough, independent and transparent investigation into the circumstances that led to this medical emergency during the shooting of Fauji is absolutely essential,” it added.

Actor Akshay Kumar said he was “very concerned” and wished Sharma a complete recovery soon. “Very concerned to hear about my dear friend Rajesh’s health condition after an insect bite while shooting. Hope Mahadev blesses him with fast and complete recovery. Jaldi theek ho ja yaar, abhi saath baith ke bhot hansna hai (Get well soon, my friend, we have sit and share many laughs) (sic),” Akshay said in a post on X.