Celebrated comedian-actor Raju Srivastava died on Wednesday after over 40 days of hospitalisation in Delhi, said his brother Dipoo Srivastava. He was 58.
Reacting to the news, Raju’s co-contestants from the reality show “Bigg Boss 3”, in which he participated, took to social media to pay tribute.
Actor-turned-film critic Kamaal R Khan wrote, “#RajuSrivastav Rest In Peace. I will always miss you bro! You were real gentleman and Yaarron Ka Yaar. Love you.”
The season’s winner and actor Vindu Dara Singh tweeted, “Rest in peace @RajuShrivastav bhai you will be missed forever thank you for making us all laugh through your work!”
Designer Rohit Verma wrote, "The one who gave me smile is gone, I have never felt so lost and alone …My bhaiya u will be missed …..Rest in Peace…Sri Raju Srivastava Amar Rahe Hare Krishna."
Raju Srivastava suffered a heart attack on August 10 while working out at a hotel here. He was rushed to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and underwent angioplasty. Since then, he was on a ventilator and never gained consciousness.
"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," Dipoo Srivastava told PTI.
Raju Srivastava was declared dead at 10.20 am, according to hospital sources.
A familiar face in the entertainment industry since the 1980s, the comedian tasted unparalleled success after participating in the first season of the reality stand-up comedy show "The Great Indian Laughter Challenge" (2005).
Raju Srivastava had also featured in Hindi films such as "Maine Pyar Kiya", "Baazigar", the remake of "Bombay to Goa" and "Aamdani Atthani Kharcha Rupaiya".
He was the chairperson of the Film Development Council Uttar Pradesh.
