Appa is slowly getting better: SP Charan confirms

Producer and Actor SP Charan, son of SP Balasubramanyam, released a video on social media giving updates about the veteran singer's health, on Saturday.

SP Balasubramanyam was diagnosed with COVID-19 on August 5 and admitted to Chennai-based MGM Hospital for treatment.

Rumours started surfacing after a health bulletin from hospital said that SPB's health had deteriorated and was shifted to ICU and placed under life support.

Meanwhile, to rubbish the rumours, the veteran's son has released a video message to fans and well-wishers.  “Big namaskaram to all. Yesterday dad was critical and he was intubated and put on ventilator. I needed to give you all a report today. There are too many calls that are coming in since early in the morning. Forgive if I've not been able to respond to all your phone calls,” he said in the video.

“Appa is stable. We are calling him critical. The doctors are calling him critical. But cautiously he is getting stable. There is a very good response for the ventilator. His lungs are functioning better than they were yesterday (Friday). The doctors are very confident that he will pull through. It is a time consuming process. It's not a daily update issue. We are expecting a recovery but it is going to be a slow recovery,” he added.

"Your prayers are definitely helping. Please keep them coming. We are very grateful for the love and affection that everybody is showering on our family and my father," SP Charan said while he thanked the well wishers and fans.

He further added, “Doctors are confident that there is a slight betterment in his condition and that it is going to improve. We are all confident in the doctors who are taking care of him in the MGM Health Centre. It will take some time but definitely we are all confident and hopeful that he will come out of it.” "This is good news. Appa is slowly getting better. It is a slow process and we are all in no rush. We want you (SPB) to come back hale and healthy as early as possible".

Wishes continued pouring in for SP Balasubrahmanyam from fans as well as music and film fraternity colleagues on Saturday, even as the 74-year-old singer remains hospitalised in critical condition.

"I request all music fans to pray for this legend along with me," music maestro AR Rahman tweeted.

Telugu superstar Chiranjeevi wrote: "Dearest Brother SP Balu garu , My hearty prayers and wishes for your Speedy recovery."

"So scary to hear about #SPBalasubramaniam sir. Praying for his speedy recovery," Malayalam actor Dulquer Salmaan wrote on Twitter.

Tamil actor Dhanush tweeted: "Please pray for SPB sir."

Producer Boney Kapoor wished for the singer's good health. "Praying for the Speedy recovery of Legendary Thiru S P Balasubrahmanyam," Boney tweeted.

Numerous fan wishes continue to pour in, too, on the microblogging site.

Agency sources citing hospital officials also confirmed that the veteran singer has regained consciousness, which surely is a good sign of improvement, which is a sigh of relief for his fans and well wishers.