Veteran singer SP Balasubrahmanyam, fondly called as SPB, tested positive for the novel coronavirus on August 5th and was admitted at the MGM Healthcare for further treatment. SPB released a video from the hospital and said that he had mild symptoms and that his fever had subsided and that he has a cold. On August 13th, MGM Healthcare released a statement saying the SP Balasubrahmanyam was stable and that his oxygen levels are normal. However, his health conditioned worsened later that night and was said he is in critical condition. SPB was shifted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and is on life support. He is currently being treated by a set of doctors and his haemodynamic and clinical parameters are being closely monitored.

Following the shocking news, fans and leading celebrities including Kamal Haasan, Rajinikanth, Dhanush, AR Rahman, Ilayaraaja and many more took to social media to wish the star singer a speedy recovery. SPB's son SP Charan also released a video statement said, “The doctors are very confident that he will pull through,” Charan said in a video message. “It is a time-consuming process. We, though, expect a recovery, it is going to be a slow recovery. Your prayers are definitely helping."

The latest to join the list of celebrities is comedian-actor Sooriwho has released a press note wishing SP Balasubrahmanyam a speedy recovery. In his statement, Soori wrote, "I can't remember a day where I haven't heard your voice. It's your song that we hear in the morning, during functions at home, as a lullaby, to motivate ourself and any other situation. I wish you to come back soon and sing more songs along with that smiling face of yours and we all should hear it for the remaining part of our lives."

SP Balasubrahmanyam has worked across Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Hindi and Malayalam film industries and has won six National Film Awards. He has also been honoured with the Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan. Since his singing debut in 1966 with the Telugu film Sri Sri Sri Maryada Ramanna, Balasubrahmanyam has recorded over 40,000 songs in 16 Indian languages.