RIP Raju Srivastav: PM Modi, Sehwag Pour in Tribute; 2-Min Silence in UP Assembly

Raju Srivastav passed away at the age of 58 today at the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi due to cardiac arrest. He was admitted to AIIMS on August 10 after experiencing chest pain and collapsing while working out at the gym.

The news of India’s most beloved stand-up comedian’s death was confirmed by his family. According to reports, the comedian was found dead at 10:15 am this morning.

Love for the comedian poured out from all over the country when the news of his demise broke out. From film director Madhur Bhandarkar to Minister for Road Transport & Highways in the Government of India, Nitin Gadkari, several famous personalities shared their condolences on Twitter. 

Hailing from Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, a young Raju Srivastav came to the City of Dreams with his own ambitions in the 80s but the Maya Nagri wasn't easy on him. Soon Srivastav found himself driving a taxi to make ends meet as he ran out of the money he had brought from home. But, it wasn't the end of his dreams as he found small roles in movies like Tezaab, Bazigar, and Maine Pyar Kiya. It wasn't long before opportunity knocked on his door and he landed his own show on Doordarshan called Tea Time Manoranjan, which aired in 1994.

After that, Srivastav's career became a rollercoaster that only went up when he bagged the role of Dhurandar Singh in the iconic hit show of the 90s- Shaktiman. 

At the peak of his career, a time when Srivastav became a household name, was when he was a contestant in The Great Indian Laughter Challenge, a comedy reality show in 2005. Sunil Pal took the winner's trophy that season but it was Srivastav's 'Gajodhar Bhaiya' character that made a place in people's hearts. 

The legacy of Raju Srivastva will live in the hearts of people from all across the generation. Rest in Peace Gajodhar Bhaiya.