Comedian Raju Srivastava Passes Away In Delhi, Confirms Family

Comedian Raju Srivastava passed away on Wednesday at the age of 58, his family confirmed. The comedian after 41 days of hospitalisation. He was admitted to AIIMS Delhi on August 10 after he complained of chest pain and collapsed while working out at a gym.

Srivastava is survived by his wife Shikha and two children, Antara and Ayushman. According to media reports, he suffered an infection after the cardiac arrest. Since then, only his wife has been allowed to meet him with proper precautions. Earlier this month, she told Bombay Times, "The medical team is doing their best and we all want your prayers, so that he recovers and is back with us."

"It is really unfortunate news. He was fighting in the hospital for over 40 days," his brother Dipoo Srivastava told Press Trust of India while conveying the news.

Raju Srivastava passes away

Srivastava has been active in the entertainment industry since the 1980s but catapulted to fame after participating in the first season of the reality stand-up comedy show The Great Indian Laughter Challenge in 2005. He has appeared in Hindi films like Maine Pyar Kiya, Baazigar, Bombay to Goa and Aamdani Atthani Kharcha Rupaiya. He was also of the contestants of reality show Bigg Boss season, which was then hosted by Amitabh Bachchan. The comedian was quite popular among audiences and housemates alike. He also participated in the dance reality show Nach Baliye season six along with his wife. However, they were eliminated in just a couple of weeks.

Srivastava also served as the chairman of the Film Development Council of Uttar Pradesh until his death.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh extended condolences on the demise of comedian. "Apart from being an accomplished artist, he was also a very lively person," the minister wrote.

Taking to Twitter Singh added, "I am deeply saddened by the passing away of renowned comedian, Raju Srivastava ji. Apart from being an accomplished artist, he was also a very lively person. He was also very active in the social field. I extend my condolences to his bereaved family and fans. Shanti!"

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, lyricist Manoj Muntashir and actor Nimrat Kaur, among others, also paid tributes to Srivastava.