Rajesh Sharma has been admitted to a private hospital in Kolkata after his health deteriorated after a suspected insect bite during the shooting of Prabhas’ upcoming film at Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad and is not yet out of danger.
The actor is currently hospitalized under close medical observation and is still under surveillance as doctors are monitoring the fast spreading infection, the family said.
The incident occurred after filming had ended for the day, according to the family. Sharma was in a film setting with technicians in the midst of thick vegetation when he felt what was believed to be an insect bite, said his family.
Sharma’s bite was small at first and he did not seek immediate medical attention. But within hours he was in severe pain in his right leg and had to be taken to the hospital.
Sharma went back to Kolkata, though he was in increasing pain. He was said to have developed a fever and difficulty in breathing during the trip, and was immediately admitted to a hospital. Medical examinations showed that the infection had spread from his toes towards his knee and there was a lot of swelling and big blisters, and the infection was being monitored by a team of specialists.
The family said doctors have not been able to determine the full extent of the infection yet. It’s too early to give a definitive diagnosis of his recovery, they say. He’s also being closely watched for any complications, his family said, including blood clots that could be dangerous for organs.
Sharma's health has had a huge impact on the Indian film industry and many actors, filmmakers, and fans have been worried about him. But on social media, people wished for him to recover and various actors from the Bengali and Hindi film industries came together to provide him with support and encouragement. Prosenjit Chatterjee too was acknowledged by the family for his support.
Sharma is one of India’s best character actors and has appeared in well-known Hindi and Bengali movies and has also appeared in Khosla Ka Ghosla, Ishqiya, Special 26, Bajrangi Bhaijaan, M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story, The Dirty Picture, and many more. His versatility and understated performances have won him fans and filmmakers’ respect.
The medical emergency has also raised concerns about workplace safety on film sets. As soon as Sharma’s case was reported, the All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) called for a high-level investigation into the situation and called on production houses to enhance on-set safety measures, particularly during outdoor shooting in areas of dense vegetation, and that immediate medical services be provided and emergency measures for cast and crew members to act and respond.
While some reports have linked the incident to the sets of Prabhas' upcoming film, the production team has not publicly commented on it. The family also has been issuing continuous health updates and not talking about the shoot. Sharma’s treatment and recovery will be prioritized by medical professionals and more details will be brought out after further evaluations.
Health experts say insect bites can lead to severe infections or allergic reactions if treatment is delayed or the bite becomes infected. Symptoms like high fever, rapidly spreading swelling, breathing difficulty, or severe pain all require immediate medical attention.
Actor Rajesh Sharma Hospitalized After Venomous Bite on Prabhas Film Sethttps://t.co/nc22ZJY3kA#RajeshSharma #Prabhas
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Rajesh Sharma was in the hospital and still under treatment as fans across the country continue to pray for him and his recovery and is in intensive care. His family has expressed gratitude to all the well-wishers, colleagues, and film industry members and requested privacy as doctors work with him in the past few days to stabilize his condition.
