CHENNAI, India: Indian film superstar Rajinikanth was being treated in intensive care for breathing problems Thursday, doctors said, as legions of ardent fans prayed for his recovery. The Sri Ramachandra hospital in the southern city of Chennai said that the 61-year-old Tamil language cinema icon was moved to a special ward Wednesday to improve his breathing. “He is showing a positive response to the treatment,” the hospital said in a statement issued Wednesday evening, adding that a team was “closely watching” his condition. Rajinikanth, a former bus conductor-turned-actor, fell ill on the first day's shooting of his new film “Rana” (The Monarch) at the end of April and has been admitted twice to hospital. He has been in the private Sri Ramachandra hospital since last Friday where medical sources said he was being treated for pneumonia and a kidney ailment. Fellow actor Amitabh Bachchan said on Twitter that everyone who loved the star was disturbed at his illness. “I have spoken to him and been in touch with wife... Rajinikant is improving gradually she informs me, today by sms .. we hope and pray that he recovers as soon as possible .. our prayers,” he added. – Agence France
