Comedian Raju Srivastava dies at 58, Live Updates: Raju Srivastava was being treated at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi.Comedian-actor Raju Srivastava passed away on Wednesday at the age of 58. His funeral took place at Delhi’s Nigambodh Ghat on Thursday morning in the presence of family and friends. Sunil Pal and Ehsaan Qureshi paid tributes to their colleague and friend even as PM Narendra Modi, Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn, and many others, shared their condolences.
Raju was being treated at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi after he suffered a cardiac arrest while running on the treadmill at a gym last month. Srivastava had a history of heart ailment and earlier had stents inserted.
He had been on life support since then and had also shown some signs of improvement. Earlier, it was reported that Prime Minister Narendra Modi called up Raju Srivastava’s wife to check on his health and wished him a speedy recovery. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also called Srivastava’s family, wishing him a speedy recovery.
Ever since the news of the comedian’s demise emerged, his colleagues and friends from the industry have expressed their condolences. From the film world to politicians, leading figures condoled his death.
Sand artist Sudarshan Patnaik pays tribute to the late Raju Srivastava at Puri beach in Odisha. He wrote, "Hasate Hasate Rula Diya…. You will live in the hearts of Millions. Tribute to comedy king #rajusrivastava #OmShanti. My SandArt at Puri beach in Odisha."
Ahsaan Quresh and Sunil Pal were seen arriving to pay their last respects to Raju Srivastava.
Talking to ANI, comedian Sunil Pal said about Raju Srivastava, "He was today's Charlie Chaplin."
Raju Srivastava's daughter Antara Srivastava reposted some condolence messages on her Instagram story. Antara replied to a few messages that remembered her father.
Comedian Surendra Sharma was seen arriving for Raju Srivastava's funeral in Delhi.
Comedian Raju Srivastav's mortal remains are taken to Nigambodh Ghat crematorium for last rites.
Comedian-actor Rohan Joshi earlier today posted a distasteful comment about late comedian Raju Srivastava. After Rohan was called out by netizens, he deleted the comment and apologised. In his apology, he wrote, "ehi soch kar delete kiya kyuki after a minute of anger I realised today is not about my personal feelings. Sorry if it hurt and thanks for the perspective (sic)."
Rohan had posted an insensitive comment on comedian Atul Khatri's tribute to the late actor, calling his demise 'good riddance'.
According to ANI, the Uttar Pradesh Assembly observed two minutes of silence on Wedneday to pay respects to late comedian Raju Srivastav.
Actor Shekhar Suman also tweeted, "Wat I was dreading for the past one month has happened.Raju Srivastava has left all of us for his heavenly abode.Devastated to hear the news.May God grant him eternal peace."
Former President of India Ram Nath Kovind tweeted, "Saddened by untimely demise of mimicry king and excellent artist Raju Srivastav ji. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and fans. Om Shanti."
In an exclusive chat with indianexpress.com Vindu Dara Singh remembers his friend and Bigg Boss 3 co-contestant Raju Srivastava.
READ THE FULL INTERVIEW HERE
"You will live on forever in our memories, #RajuSrivastava Ji. Thank you for spreading so much joy and laughter in this world. May you rest in peace and may God give strength to your loved ones.?,' read a tweet.
Union minister for law and justice, Kiren Rijiju wrote, "I'll continue to cherish those special moments and our special friendship."
Ali Asgar tweeted, "Lost a good loving soul today ? Alvida Rajubhai…RIP ? Heartfelt condolences to family ? You will be missed Rajubhai ? #RajuSrivastavaRIP #rajusrivastava."
Himanshi Khurana shared a note and wrote, "Rest in peace #rajusrivastava sir ????."
He posted, "My dear #RajuSrivastava bhai, the star comedian and a very humble soul has sadly left us with his beautiful memories and epic jokes. May his soul rests in peace. May God give strength to his family. ?? Om Shanti."
The latest reports have that Raju Srivastava is to be cremated at 9.30 am on Thursday in Delhi. Raju Srivastava's family members - his wife Shikha, son Ayushman and daughter Antara - are currently at AIIMS. Earlier, the family was thinking of taking Raju's mortal remains to Mumbai or Kanpur.
Shilpa Shetty tweeted, "? ???????My heart goes out to his family and millions of his fans who loved him so dearly?Thank you for making us laugh for decades, Raju ji!♥?You went too soon…#RajuSrivastava."
Ravi Kishan shared an emotional video remembering, Raju Srivastava.
Uttar Pradesh Assembly observes a 2-minute silence to pay respect to comedian Raju Srivastava who passed away today at the age of 58 years.
Sunil Grover shared via Instagram, "RIP Raju Srivaastva Ji. He made the whole country laugh. It’s sad today that he has gone, too soon. My condolences to family and friends. ?."
Sunil Pal remembers his comedian colleague Raju Srivastava. He shared Raju 'would help juniors get gigs, helped financially too'. READ MORE
Hrithik Roshan tweeted, "Forever in our hearts. Rest in peace Raju Srivastava Sir. My condolences to the family ??."
Neil Nitin Mukesh tweeted, "Truly upsetting news of the untimely demise of our dearest Raju Shrivastava bhai. You have left us with a gift of smiles and laughs on & off the screen forever. The Mukesh family extend our deepest condolences to the family, may the lord give them strength ?."
Virender Sehwag took to Twitter to post, "Om Shanti, Raju Bhai. A genuine comedian who made people laugh with clean humour and sharp observation. Condolences to his family and fans. #RajuSrivastav."
"??????? ?? ???? ?????? ???? ??? ?????…????? ?? ????????? ?? ?? ???? ????? ?? ????? ???? ?," tweeted Akshay Kumar.
The actor-comedian Raju Srivastava's wife Shikha Srivastava is inconsolable. "I am not able to talk right now. What can I share or say now? He fought very hard, I was really hoping and praying to see him come out of this. But, that has not happened. All I can say is that he was a true fighter," she shared with The Times of India.
Nitin Gadkari posted via Twitter, "Anguished to hear about the demise of Comedy Legend Raju Srivastav Ji. An Entertainer par Excellence, his mannerisms & observational comedy truly mirrored the daily life of us Indians. My condolences to his family members. Om Shanti."
Rajpal Yadav took to Twitter to post, "I have no words to describe this loss. You have left us all too soon. You will be missed my brother. I just can’t believe this. ????#RajuSrivastav #RIP."
Anupam Kher shared a video note remembering Raju Srivastava.
Ajay Devgn shared via Twitter, "In your lifetime you gifted us laughs & more laughs, on & off the screen. Your untimely demise makes me very sad. RIP Raju. ? Shanti. May the Almighty give your family strength in this hour of bereavement ?.'
As per the latest updates, Raju Srivastava's funeral will take place tomorrow morning in Delhi.
PM Narendra Modi shared a photo with the late comedian and wrote, "Raju Srivastava brightened our lives with laughter, humour and positivity. He leaves us too soon but he will continue to live in the hearts of countless people thanks to his rich work over the years. His demise is saddening. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti."
Kailash Kher shared a video. He prays for Raju Srivastava.
Filmmaker Sudhir Mishra tweeted, "Raju Srivastava has gone ! Hopefully the lesson that he leaves behind is that irreverence should be our default state . To laugh in the face of authority is a fundamental right . Alvida !"
"Spoke to Raju Sirvastava's family. He is no more. Passed away half an hour ago. A great loss to the industry. Our heartfelt condolences to the family & near ones. Will never forget you," wrote Ashoke Pandit.
MLA Harsh Sanghvi tweeted, "Gone too soon, too far."
"Heartbreaking... Friend, well-wisher, neighbour #RajuSrivastava ji, you will be missed... Om Shanti," read his tweet.
"I am speechless to hear the news of the demise of well known comedian Shri Raju Shrivastava ji. Raju Srivastava ji left a different mark in the world of comedy. My condolences to his family and fans in this hour of mourning. May God bless the virtuous soul," tweeted BJP's JP Nadda.
"?? ???? ??? ?????? ???? ???! ????? ???? ???? ????? ??? ????? ??," tweeted lyricist Manoj Muntashir.
"This is the saddest news…He was such a kind & humble soul… Thank you for always making us smile & laugh even in the darkest of times… We’ll miss you Raju Ji," the singer shared.