Filmmaker Kunal Kohli popular for his directorial venture Hum Tum announced on Twitter that he lost his maternal aunt in Chicago to the deadly coronavirus. In a series of tweets, the director mourned the fact that their close-knit family could not be together at this time of grief but said that the deadly virus "won’t break our love and memories". 

In his tweets, Kunal wrote, "Lost my Masi to COVID after an 8-week struggle. In Chicago. We’re a large family that’s really close. We can’t be together at this time. This is as painful as the loss. Seeing my Mom Masi’s & Mama’s not being able to be together at this time is really hard."

He further added how his cousin, the daughter of his deceased aunt, was not allowed inside the hospital premises but would pray from the car park. "Her daughter (my cousin sister) would go to the hospital, sit in her car in the car park & pray for her mother. As she wasn’t allowed inside the hospital. Said she felt close to her as she couldn’t see her. This is how harsh COVID is. This isn’t the way to go," he said.

He added, "5 sisters. 3 brothers too, but sisters are diff. Their bond is unbreakable. Only death could break it. They taught a family & everyone they touched the meaning of love, family, giving. COVID has been harsh for our family. Won’t break our love & memories. Miss you Masi." The US is the hardest-hit in the global coronavirus pandemic, with the death toll nearing 1,00,000.