Amitabh Bachchan, one of India's best known film actors, has tested positive for Covid-19, he told his millions of Twitter followers.

"I have tested Covid positive, shifted to hospital, hospital informing authorities, family and staff undergone tests, results awaited," he wrote.

His son, Abhishek, later tweeted he had also tested positive.

A hospital official told The Indian Express newspaper that he was in a stable condition.

Since rising to fame in the 1970s, he has won numerous accolades including four National Film Awards and 15 Filmfare Awards.

Outside acting, Bachchan Snr had a brief stint in politics and was elected as a member of India's parliament in 1984 at the behest of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi