NEW DELHI: Famous Indian comedian Raju Srivastava has passed away in Delhi at the age of 58, his family confirmed on Wednesday.
He was hospitalized in AIIMS Delhi on August 10 after experiencing chest pain and collapsing while working out at the gym.
He had suffered a heart attack, according to the medics.
According to a report, Raju was still conscious and moving his body normally. The comedian was previously measuring Spo2 levels of 80% to 90% without oxygen support.
Srivastava featured in Hindi films such as “Maine Pyar Kiya”, “Baazigar”, “Bombay to Goa” (remake) and “Aamdani Atthani Kharcha Rupaiya”. He was one of the contestants on “Bigg Boss” season three.
He was the chairman of the Uttar Pradesh Film Development Council.
Srivastava, who had worked in the entertainment industry since the 1980s, became well-known after taking part in The Great Indian Laughter Challenge’s inaugural season in 2005.
Raju and his wife took part in Nach Baliye season 6, a couples dance competition on StarPlus, in 2013.
Srivastava was a candidate for the Samajwadi Party in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections from Kanpur. On March 11, 2014, however, Srivastava returned the ticket, claiming he was not receiving enough backing from the local party units. On March 19, 2014, he subsequently joined the Bharatiya Janata Party.
He was put forth by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take part in the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. Through his programs in several cities, he had advocated cleanliness. He had produced a number of music videos to encourage cleanliness. For Swacha Bharat Abhiyaan, he had also filmed a number of TV advertisements and social service message videos.
