Raju Srivastava passes away: From comedy shows to Bollywood... tracking comedian's career

Popular stand-up comedian Raju Srivastava passed away at 58. He suffered a sudden heart attack on August 10 following which he was rushed to AIIMS Delhi. The actor was immediately shifted to ICU and was 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.

Born Satya Prakash Srivastava on 25 December 1963, he took Raju as his stage name. He was often credited as Gajodhar due to his popular acts. Raju always wanted to become a comedian. He began his stint as a stand-up comedian with the talent show The Great Indian Laughter Challenge 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".

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It was the first season of the stand-up comedy show ‘The Great Indian Laughter Challenge’ in the year 2005 which brought Raju recognition, despite the fact that he was active in the entertainment industry since the late 1980s. Raju was seen in several movies such as ‘Maine Pyar Kiya’, ‘Baazigar’, ‘Bombay to Goa’ (remake) and ‘Aamdani Atthani Kharcha Rupaiya’.

He was also a co-contestant of Bigg Boss Season 3 which was hosted by Bollywood actor Salman Khan. The comic also held the post of chairman of the Film Development Council Uttar Pradesh.

When Raju took part in Bigg Boss Season 3 and Nach Baliye Season 6, he also acquired a lot of followers. Additionally, he had an appearance on Comedy Nights with Kapil.

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Raju, who had a talent for mimicry, had an ambition of being a comic since he was little. He used to mimic his teachers when he was in school.

A gifted performer with a flair for humour, Raju Srivastava performed on theatrical productions in India and internationally alongside Kalyanji Anandji, Bappi Lahiri, and Nitin Mukesh. Johnny Lever also took note of him when he performed on stage before to entering the film industry. Raju was a key member of Johnny Lever's troupe and the public enjoyed and praised his imitation.

58-year-old Raju Srivastava married Shikha from Lucknow in 1993 and together they have two children, named Antara and Ayushman.

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