Veteran Kollywood actor Senthil, who is famous for his comedic performances alongside actor Goundami in a number of films, contracted the novel coronavirus recently. Speaking to TNM, the actor’s former publicist Madurai Selvam confirmed that Senthil tested positive for COVID-19 a week ago and is currently undergoing treatment at SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre in Kattankulathur, a suburb of Chennai. 

Senthil’s wife Kalaiselvi and son Dr Prabhu have also contracted the virus. The 68-year-old actor is observing quarantine at the hospital and is recuperating well.  

On March 11, Senthil joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) before the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. He joined the party in the presence of BJP Tamil Nadu state unit president L Murugan. Speaking to reporters after joining the party, Senthil expressed that he was happy to campaign for BJP candidates.  

The veteran actor joined the BJP after other popular actors from the film industry joined the party. Actor turned politician Khusbhoo Sundar too contested the Tamil Nadu Assembly election from Chennai’s Thousand Lights constituency, representing BJP.  

Senthil was initially a member of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and he later switched to TTV Dhinakaran’s Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) following the demise of former CM J Jayalalithaa. In September 2019, he also became one of the five secretaries of AMMK. 

 A native of Ramanathapuram’s Ilanjambore, Senthil made his acting debut with the Malayalam film Ithikkara Pakki. In a career spanning decades, he has acted in over 100 films. Senthil rose to fame with roles where he was paired with Goundamani. The duo was praised as the ‘Laurel and Hardy’ of Tamil cinema. Although he hasn’t been active in recent years, Senthil played a pivotal role in Suriya starrer Thaana Serndha Koottam in 2018. He has also been a part of Sun TV’s serial called Rasaathi, since 2019. He opened his official Twitter handle last December.