In a huge relief for the superstar fans, Rajinikanth has tested negative for the COVID-19 viral infection. The actor was put through the COVID-19 testing on Wednesday after some members in the technical crew of his upcoming 'Annaathe' movie had confirmed to have contracted the viral infection. The shocking development has come at a high time when Rajinikanth has been on the verge of launching his political party. 

After reporting the grounds of COVID-19 spread, the movie shooting, that was underway in Ramoji city in Hyderabad, had temporarily halted after the emergence of the unanticipated event. Rajinikanth and the crew including Nayanthara had gone to Hyderabad from Chennai before ten days and the superstar had been taking part in the shooting with the determination of completing his shooting within December to launch the political party in January. 

In what would become his last movie, 'Annaathe' has been camped in Hyderabad and the team held an aggressive shooting with the view of completing Rajini's portion ahead of his political entry. However, the movie team had shockingly witnessed the grounds of COVID-19 spread, which had applied brakes and halted the movie shooting and the development would be pushing Rajinikanth to brace up the fresh challenge in launching his political party as per his announcement. 

While the development of COVID-19 spread at the Annaathe shooting had drawn massive attention across and beyond the borders with reports confirming that eight members of the movie's technical team, the movie producer Sun Pictures had revealed that four members of the crew had tested positive following which Annaathe shooting has been postponed. Taking to Twitter, Sun Pictures said, "Announcement: During routine testing at Annaathe shoot, four crew members have tested positive for COVID19". 

"Superstar Rajinikanth and other crew members have tested negative. To ensure utmost safety Annaatthe shooting has been postponed". Sun Pictures tweeted. It has become the first official announcement from the makers concerning the COVID-19 outbreak at the shooting spot. According to reports, Rajinikanth would be returning to Chennai either on Wednesday or on Thursday and with having no clear idea on when the shooting will be resumed, the reports say that Rajinikanth would likely stay under quarantine in Chennai during which he would limit meeting the members and leaders of his outfit. 

While Rajinikanth had announced that he would be launching his political entry in January after finishing the Annatthe shooting, the current development had pushed the actor to defer the political announcement after completing the shooting and things get back to normalcy. The reports close to the developments say that Rajinikanth will likely launch his political party in February when the state would be a month ahead of the assembly polls. 

Rajinikanth had earlier said that he would be launching his political party after completing the 'Annaatthe' shooting and asserted that the shooting would be getting completed soon. The reports say that the actor has been preparing for politics but his entry won't be possible until he completes the shooting and he won't resume the shooting until everyone affected by the pandemic gets recovered and with the assurance of tight and preventive measures in the shooting spot. 

'Annaatthe' team was shooting for the movie at Ramoji Film city and they scheduled to complete the shooting in 45 days. Bankrolled by Sun Pictures, the movie is directed by Siva. While Imman had composed the music, the movie has roped in Nayanthara, Keerthy Suresh, Meena, and Khushbhu in important roles. Being speculated as the rural drama, the Annaatthe shooting was officially launched last December in Chennai.

Announcement : During routine testing at #Annaathe shoot 4 crew members have tested positive for Covid19. Superstar @rajinikanth and other crew members have tested negative. To ensure utmost safety #Annaatthe shooting has been postponed.

— Sun Pictures (@sunpictures) December 23, 2020