Unnikrishnan Namboothiri, the 98-year-old Malayalam actor who was diagnosed with Covid-19 in December 2020, has recovered from the virus and tested negative on Sunday.
The veteran actor was rushed to a private hospital in Kannur in Kerala three weeks ago after he was diagnosed with pneumonia, and was discharged upon recovery. However, after two days, Namboothiri had to be hospitalised again as he had developed a fever. It was then that he tested positive for Covid-19.
Speaking to Silverscreen India, PV Kunhikrishnan, Unnikrishnan’s son and a Kerala High Court judge said, “I think he was infected with Covid from the hospital.”
Unnikrishnan is currently recovering at Kunhikrishnan’s residence at their native place, Kunhikrishnan told Silverscreen India.
Being passionate about fitness from his youth, Unnikrishnan has been following a healthy lifestyle and does not have any lifestyle-related diseases, Kunhikrishnan said.
“His health is better than mine,” Kunhikrishnan said and added: “Yesterday night he was not able to sleep. The doctor suggested to check his blood for potassium and sodium levels. After we got the report, everything was normal. He has only got old-age problems.”
According to Kunhikrishnan, Unnikrishnan had no medical problems till the age of 94. “He even came to the high court for my swearing in ceremony,” he said.
The actor, however, underwent a surgery at the age of 94 after he suffered a fall at his house.
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Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, Unnikrishnan, who has never missed voting for any election, could not cast his vote during the Kerala Local Body elections that took place on December 9, 2020.
Unnikrishnan has predominantly acted in Malayalam films. He debuted in the 1996 Malayalam film Desadanam. He is also known for his roles in many films, including Kalyanaraman, Pokkiriraja and Rappakal.
He has also starred in a few popular Tamil films like Kandukondein Kandukondein, Pammal K Sambandham and Chandramukhi.