Comedian Raju Srivastava dies at 58, after 41 days of hospitalisation

September 21: Well-known comedian Raju Srivastava passed away at 58. The comedian took his last breath at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi. He was admitted to AIIMS after having a heart attack on August 10.  

Raju complained that he felt uneasy when moving to the hospital. The 58-year-old stand-up comedian was doing his routine exercise and while he was on the treadmill, he suddenly fell. He underwent an angioplasty the same day and has been on a ventilator. 

Over the last few days, his health had witnessed significant fluctuations. His family also gave information about the comedian’s health from time to time. His wife had asked his fans to pray for his recovery. 

Raju was born in a middle-class family on 25th December, 1963 in Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh). He is best known for his stage character ‘Gajodhar’ and has been a good mimic since his early days. His father, Ramesh Chandra Srivastava, was a poet.  

In the world of stand-up comedy, he carved a niche for himself with his well-timed jokes and comic takes on some very relevant situations in life. ‘The Great Indian Laughter Challenge’ was the first-of-its-kind stand-up comedy talent hunt show where he rose to fame, its first season premiered in 2005.

He also appeared in Hindi films such as “Maine Pyar Kiya”, “Baazigar”, “Bombay to Goa” (remake) and “Aamdani Atthani Kharcha Rupaiya”. Raju was one of the contestants in “Bigg Boss” season three. Before his death, he was the Uttar Pradesh Film Development Council chairman.