Popular Indian comedian Raju Srivastava, who acted alongside Shah Rukh Khan in Baazigar, dies at 58

Celebrated Indian comedian-actor Raju Srivastava died on Wednesday (21) after over 40 days of hospitalisation here, said his brother Dipoo Srivastava. He was 58. 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 the 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 Press Trust of India.

Srivastava was declared dead at 10.20 am local time, 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).

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.