Veteran stand up comedian Raju Srivastava has passed away at the age of 58 today (September 21). Raju Srivastava had a heart attack on August 10 and was hospitalized at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) after he complained of chest pain while running on a treadmill at the gym. He also underwent an angioplasty the very same day. His brother Dipoo Srivastava said ,“I got a call from the family about half-an-hour ago saying he is no more. It is really unfortunate news. He was fighting in the hospital for over 40 days".
Raju Srivastava was put on a life support system at AIIMS in Delhi. The comedian regained consciousness after 15 days on ventilator support. However, on September 1, after he caught a fever as high as 100 degrees and was put on ventilator support once again. The actor was immediately shifted to ICU and was out on life support. He did not gain consciousness for over 40 days and despite doctors' efforts, his health kept deteriorating even days after he suffered a heart attack. Doctors had shared that he has suffered brain damage following the heart attack. He was declared dead at 10:20 am on September 21, according to hospital sources.
Born Satya Prakash Srivastava on 25 December 1963, he took Raju as his stage name. He had always wanted to become a comedian and began his stint as a stand-up comedian with the talent show The Great Indian Laughter Challenge in 2005 and finished as second runner-up. Post that he participated in, The Great Indian Laughter Challenge - Champions, and won the title of The King of Comedy.
Raju also gained many fans when he participated in 'Bigg Boss Season 3" and "Nach Baliye season 6". He has also appeared on "Comedy Nights with Kapil". He had also featured in films like 'Baazigar', 'Bombay to Goa', 'Maine Pyar Kiya', 'Aamdani Atthanni Kharcha Rupaiya' and 'Main Prem Ki Deewani Hoon' among others.
Raju Srivastava, counted as among the most high profile and experienced comics in the country, is survived by his wife and two children Antara and Ayushman.
