Raju Srivastav Explained

Raju Srivastav
Birth Name:Satyaprakash Srivastav
Birth Date:1963 12, df=yes
Birth Place:Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India
Death Date: (aged 58)
Death Place:Delhi, India
Genre:Observational comedy
Relatives:Kushal Srivastava (nephew)
Notable Work:The Great Indian Laughter Challenge
Children:2

Satya Prakash Srivastav (25 December 1963 – 21 September 2022), known professionally as Raju Srivastav and often credited as Gajodhar, was an Indian comedian, actor and politician.[1] He was born in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, and moved to Mumbai in the 1980s to work in the Hindi film industry. He acted in Baazigar, Bombay to Goa, Aamdani Atthanni Kharcha Rupaiya among others. He contested in the comedy show The Great Indian Laughter Challenge and became the runner-up. He won the title of "The King of Comedy" in its spin-off show The Great Indian Laughter Challenge – Champions. He did many stand-up comedy live shows.

He had been a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party since 2014.

Early life

He was born in 1963 in Kanpur city in the state of Uttar Pradesh in a Kayastha family.[2] His father Ramesh Srivastav was a poet. In his childhood, Srivastav liked to mimic film stars including Amitabh Bachchan.[3]

Career

In 1980s he moved to Mumbai, and started his career by doing small roles in Bollywood films. He had a part in the Rajshri Productions movie Maine Pyar Kiya[4] and other small roles in various movies such as Baazigar and Bombay to Goa.[1] He worked as an actor and comedian in the Bollywood movie Aamdani Atthanni Kharcha Rupaiya.[5]

In 2005, he ventured into stand-up comedy with the talent show The Great Indian Laughter Challenge and finished as second runner-up. Then he took part in its spin-off, The Great Indian Laughter Challenge – Champions, and won the title of "The King of Comedy".[6] He became famous because of this show. By 2009, he had done more than 2,800 live shows.

In 2009, in an interview, he said the vulgarity in comedy shows was a concern for him. He believed that comedians should practice self-regulation. Srivastav participated in Bigg Boss (Hindi season 3), the Indian counterpart of the Big Brother. After staying in the house for more than two months he was voted out on 4 December 2009.[7] In 2010, Srivastav received threatening calls from Pakistan warning him not to crack jokes on underworld don Dawood Ibrahim and Pakistan during his shows.[8]

In 2013, Raju along with his wife participated in Nach Baliye season 6, which is a couples dance show on StarPlus. He has also appeared on Comedy Nights with Kapil.[9]

In 2016, he appeared in Mazaak Mazaak Mein, a Hindi reality television talent competition.

In 2019 participated in the comedy show Comedy Ka Maha Muqabala.[10]

Political career

The Samajwadi Party (SP) fielded Srivastava from Kanpur Lok Sabha constituency for the 2014 Lok Sabha election.[11] But on 11 March 2014, Srivastav returned the ticket, saying he was not getting enough support from the local units of the party. SP was expecting him to quit as the contest in the seat had become important.[12] SP withdrew his candidature from Kanpur after he quit.[13]

Within days of leaving SP, he joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on 19 March 2014.[14] BJP did not give him the ticket for Lok Sabha 2014. He campaigned in support of BJP candidates in Lok Sabha and Assembly elections.[15] In 2014, he was appointed by the BJP led Union government as the brand ambassador of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and had recorded advertisements for the campaign.[16] [17] In 2018, Srivastav disclosed on social media that he would get the chance to contest in the 2019 Indian general election as BJP candidate for Lok Sabha, although that did not materialize.

In March 2019, he was appointed by the BJP-led Government of Uttar Pradesh as the chairman of the Uttar Pradesh Film Development Council.

Reception

Widely described as the "king of comedy",[18] [19] his looks were also noted for having resembled Amitabh Bachchan.[20] [21]

In January 2021, Raju Srivastav released a small video clip on social media criticizing the creators and actors of the web series Tandav for allegedly hurting Hindu sentiments by insulting Hindu religion and Hindu deities. In response, filmmaker Vinod Kapri and others shared several videos of Srivastav's comedy shows where he had used Hindu deities and the Indian holy epic Ramayana in his comedy sketches. Kapri said that Srivastav had mocked the Hindu god Brahma and had joked about Brahma meeting actress Madhuri Dixit and his white beard turning red.[22] [23]

Following Shrivastav's death, comedian Sunil Pal praised Shrivastav and added that "He would help juniors find gigs. He would also help his juniors financially, made sure they are paid on time and paid well. He brought in a lot of good changes in the comedy circle".[24] Comedian Bharti Singh said that Shrivastav's death is "a great loss for the entire country".[25]

Personal life

Srivastav married Shikha from Lucknow on 1 July 1993. They had two children, a boy and a girl.[26]

Death

On 10 August 2022, while running on the treadmill in the gym, Raju Srivastav complained of chest pain and suffered a cardiac arrest.[27] He underwent an angioplasty and was put on ventilator.[28] Swelling was observed in his brain during his treatment and he was also treated by neurologists.[29] His condition was stated to be critical[30] ever since he suffered the heart attack. On the morning of 21 September 2022, he died during his treatment in Delhi.[31]

The post mortem was done using the method of virtual autopsy.[32] His last rites were conducted in Delhi.[33]

Prolific figures including Narendra Modi, Yogi Adityanath, Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah, Ajay Devgn, Akshay Kumar, Anil Kapoor, Vivek Agnihotri, Rajpal Yadav and others expressed their condolences over Shrivastav's death.[34] [35]

Filmography

Films

Year TitleRoleRef
1988Tezaab
1989Maine Pyaar KiyaTruck Cleaner
1993BaazigarCollege Student
Mr. Azaad
2001Aamdani Atthani Kharcha RupaiyaaBaba Chin Chin Choo
2002Waah! Tera Kya KehnaBanne Khan's assistant
2003Main Prem Ki Diwani HoonShambhu, Sanjana's servant[36]
2007 Big BrotherAutorickshaw Driver & Rizwan Ahmed
Bombay to GoaAnthony Gonsalves
2010Bhavnaon ko SamjhoDaya from Gaya
2017
2023Kanjoos MakhichoosYadav, MLA's PA[37]

TV series

Year Series RoleRef
1994Dekh Bhai DekhCameo
1998–2005ShaktimaanDhurandhar Singh[38]
2005The Great Indian Laughter ChallengeContestant
2007–2014Comedy CircusVarious characters [39]
2008–2009Raju Hazir HoHimself [40]
2009Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah ChashmahHimself[41]
2009Bigg BossContestant [42]
2011Comedy Ka Maha MuqabalaContestant
2013–2014Nach BaliyeContestant [43]
2013–2016Comedy Nights with KapilVarious characters [44]
2014Gangs of HaseepurHost[45]
2016–2017The Kapil Sharma ShowVarious characters [46]
2016Mazaak Mazaak MeinHimself
2022Hostel Daze Chai Tapri Wala/Narrator [47]

Notes and References

  1. News: Indo-Asian News Service. An institute of comedy, courtesy Raju Srivastav. 11 September 2009. Deccan Herald. en. 3 November 2019. 3 November 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191103154228/https://www.deccanherald.com/content/24575/an-institute-comedy-courtesy-raju.html. live.
  2. News: jagran.com. कायस्‍थों को एक मंच पर लाने का काम शुरू, राजू श्रीवास्तव से शुरू हुआ सदस्यता अभियान. Satish Chand Shukla. 17 July 2021.
  3. News: Raju Srivastava: Popular Indian comedian dies aged 58 . 21 September 2022 . BBC News . 21 September 2022 . 22 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220922150813/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-62949006 . live .
  4. News: 28 years of Maine Pyar Kiya: Eight lesser-known facts about the Salman Khan starrer. Sampada . Sharma. 29 December 2017. The Indian Express. en-IN. 3 November 2019. 3 November 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191103154231/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/maine-pyar-kiya-salman-khan-lesser-known-facts-trivia-5003692/. live.
  5. News: Big B praises Raju Srivastav in KBC, comedian gets emotional. 23 November 2018. ABP Live. en-US. 3 November 2019.
  6. Web site: Comic moments in comedian Kapil Sharma-Ginni Chatrath reception. Tellychakkar.com. en. 3 November 2019. 3 November 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191103154227/https://www.tellychakkar.com/tv/tv-news/comic-moments-comedian-kapil-sharma-ginni-chatrath-recep-181225. live.
  7. Web site: Was shocked when Tanaaz, Aditi pulled my pajamas. Rediff. 7 December 2009. Rajul. Hegde. 3 November 2019. 29 May 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20100529022234/http://movies.rediff.com/report/2009/dec/07/tv-raju-srivastav-on-bigg-boss.htm. live.
  8. News: Comedian Raju Srivastav gets threat from Pak. The Times of India. Times of India. 19 January 2017. 31 January 2009. 5 February 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170205231129/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Comedian-Raju-Srivastav-gets-threat-from-Pak/articleshow/4051315.cms. live.
  9. Web site: 21 September 2022 . Raju Srivastava Died On 21 Sept . 21 September 2022 . Bolly Movie Review Tech . en-US . 22 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220922150815/https://bollymoviereviewtech.com/web-stories/raju-srivastava-died/ . live .
  10. News: Raju Srivastav tickles the funny bone at Le Meridien, Bangalore. The Times of India. 26 September 2019. 20 September 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190920023203/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/events/bangalore/Raju-Srivastav-tickles-the-funny-bone-at-Le-Meridien-Bangalore/articleshow/30159461.cms. live.
  11. News: Akhilesh Yadav turns to comedy, fields Raju Srivastava from Kanpur in Lok Sabha election . Indian Express . 14 February 2013 . 12 March 2014 . 12 March 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140312212547/http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/akhilesh-yadav-turns-to-comedy-fields-raju-srivastava-from-kanpur-in-lok-sabha-election/1074076/ . live .
  12. News: Comedian Raju Srivastava returns SP Lok Sabha ticket . The Hindu . 11 March 2014 . 12 March 2014 . 11 March 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140311180139/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/comedian-raju-srivastava-returns-sp-lok-sabha-ticket/article5773665.ece . live .
  13. News: Jagdambika Pal, artiste Raju Srivastava join BJP . 21 September 2022 . The Indian Express . 19 March 2014 . en . 11 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220811064730/https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/jagdambika-pal-artiste-raju-srivastava-join-bjp/ . live .
  14. News: Jagdambika Pal, artiste Raju Srivastava join BJP. 19 March 2014. 26 September 2019. 26 September 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190926122505/https://indianexpress.com/article/india/politics/jagdambika-pal-artiste-raju-srivastava-join-bjp/. live. Indian Express.
  15. News: Raju Srivastav's journey in politics: Found home in BJP after days in SP and an LS ticket . 21 September 2022 . The Indian Express . 21 September 2022 . en . 22 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220922150816/https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/after-days-in-sp-and-an-ls-ticket-raju-srivastava-found-home-in-bjp-8164247/ . live .
  16. Web site: Raju Srivastav files complaint against using his image in anti-BJP message. The New Indian Express. 25 October 2017. 3 November 2019. 3 November 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191103152231/http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/hindi/2017/oct/25/raju-srivastav-files-complaint-against-using-his-image-in-anti-bjp-message-1682539.html. live.
  17. News: Comedian Raju Srivastav suffers major heart attack — a look at his life & career . 21 September 2022 . cnbctv18.com . 12 August 2022 . en . 12 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220812172149/https://www.cnbctv18.com/entertainment/comedian-raju-srivastav-suffers-major-heart-attack--a-look-at-his-life--career-14457312.htm . live .
  18. Web site: Veronica . Shreya . King of comedy Raju Srivastav departs . The New Indian Express . 22 September 2022 . 22 September 2022 . 22 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220922150818/https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/hyderabad/2022/sep/22/king-of-comedy-raju-srivastav-departs-2500551.html . live .
  19. Web site: From Rs 50 per show to 'King of Comedy': Raju Srivastava's inspiring life . Business Standard News . 21 September 2022 . 22 September 2022.
  20. Web site: Chatterjee . Siddhi . Raju Srivastava: Raju Srivastava on being Big B's lookalike: 'Relatives thought I would bring dishonour to my family' . Zoom TV . 4 November 2020 . 22 September 2022 . 4 November 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201104080138/https://www.zoomtventertainment.com/celebrity/article/raju-srivastava-on-being-big-bs-lookalike-relatives-thought-i-would-bring-dishonour-to-my-family/677147 . live .
  21. Web site: Raju Srivastava's career graph, from Baazigar to The Great Indian Laughter Challenge and beyond . India Today . 21 September 2022 . 22 September 2022.
  22. News: Netizens Call Out Raju Srivastava For His Hypocrisy After He Disses 'Tandav' . 21 September 2022 . ScoopWhoop . 20 January 2021 . en . 22 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220922151053/https://www.scoopwhoop.com/news/netizens-call-out-raju-srivastava-for-his-hypocrisy-after-he-disses-tandav/ . live .
  23. News: Quint . Entertainment . Comedian Raju Srivastava Called Out for Hypocrisy Over 'Tandav' . 21 September 2022 . The Quint . 20 January 2021 . en . 17 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220817212231/https://www.thequint.com/entertainment/celebrities/comedian-raju-srivastava-called-out-for-hypocrisy-over-tandav#read-more . live .
  24. Web site: Panchal . Komal RJ . Comedian Sunil Pal remembers Raju Srivastava: 'Would help juniors get gigs, helped financially too' . The Indian Express . 21 September 2022 . 22 September 2022 . 22 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220922151054/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/comedian-sunil-pal-remembers-raju-srivastava-would-help-juniors-get-gigs-helped-financially-too-8163632/ . live .
  25. Web site: Suri . Ridhi . RIP Raju Srivastava: Comedienne Bharti Singh pays tribute, says 'king of comedy is no more' . India TV News . 21 September 2022 . 22 September 2022 . 22 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220922151054/https://www.indiatvnews.com/entertainment/tv/rip-raju-srivastava-comedian-bharti-singh-pays-tribute-says-king-of-comedy-is-no-more-latest-tv-news-2022-09-21-810166 . live .
  26. News: LOL with Raju Srivastava on his wedding anniversary in Lucknow!. The Times of India. 2 July 2019. Sumit. Jha. 3 November 2019. 6 January 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200106042520/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/events/lucknow/lol-with-raju-srivastava-on-his-wedding-anniversary-in-lucknow/articleshow/69975642.cms. live.
  27. Web site: 10 August 2022 . Comedian Raju Srivastava suffers heart attack in gym; is too much exercise bad for heart? . 10 August 2022 . Hindustan Times . en . 10 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220810115214/https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/health/comedian-raju-srivastava-suffers-heart-attack-in-gym-is-too-much-exercise-bad-for-heart-101660125646813.html . live .
  28. News: Raju Srivastava's condition has not improved, remains on ventilator . The Economic Times . 13 August 2022 . 13 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220813050129/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/raju-srivastavas-condition-has-not-improved-remains-on-ventilator/articleshow/93534622.cms . live .
  29. Web site: Raju Srivastava's health worsens, top neurologist flies from Kolkata to treat comedian. 19 August 2022. en-IN. India Today. 19 August 2022 . 19 August 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220819054033/https://www.indiatoday.in/television/celebrity/story/raju-srivastava-s-health-worsens-top-neurologist-flies-from-kolkata-to-treat-comedian-1989814-2022-08-19. live.
  30. News: PTI . 11 August 2022 . Raju Srivastava 'critical and on ventilator' following heart attack . en-IN . The Hindu . 13 August 2022 . 0971-751X . 13 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220813003951/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/raju-srivastava-critical-and-on-ventilator-following-heart-attack/article65757259.ece . live .
  31. News: Comedian Raju Srivastava passes away at 58 . 21 September 2022 . India Today . 21 September 2022 . en . 22 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220922151054/https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/comedian-raju-shrivastava-dead-passes-away-2002750-2022-09-21 . live .
  32. News: Raju Srivastava: नए तरीके से हुआ राजू श्रीवास्तव का पोस्टमार्टम, जानिए पुराने तरीके से कैसे अलग है वर्चुअल ऑटोप्सी . Good News Today . 22 September 2022 . hi . 22 September 2022 . 22 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220922151059/https://www.gnttv.com/health/story/raju-srivastav-post-mortem-what-new-technique-used-449920-2022-09-22 . live .
  33. News: Raju Srivastav Funeral. 22 September 2022 . Amar Ujala . 22 September 2022 . hi.
  34. Web site: Desk . HT Entertainment . Raju Srivastava death: Anil Kapoor, Ajay Devgn, Vivek Agnihotri pay tribute to 'true legend of stand-up comedy' . Hindustan Times . 21 September 2022 . 22 September 2022.
  35. Web site: Singh . Neha . RIP Raju Srivastav: PM Modi, Yogi Adityanath, Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah and others condole the death of Comedian . NewsroomPost . 21 September 2022 . 22 September 2022 . 22 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220922151304/https://newsroompost.com/india/rip-raju-srivastav-pm-modi-yogi-adityanath-rajnath-singh-and-others-condole-the-death-of-comedian/5190415.html . live .
  36. News: Raju Srivastava Passes Away: Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon to Maine Pyar Kia, Top 5 Film Appearances . 21 September 2022 . News18 . 21 September 2022 . en . 22 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220922151303/https://www.news18.com/news/movies/raju-srivastava-passes-away-main-prem-ki-diwani-hoon-to-maine-pyar-kia-top-5-film-appearances-6002335.html . live .
  37. Web site: Kanjoos Makhichoos trailer: Kunal Kemmu turns annoying miser, Raju Srivastav's final appearance leaves fans emotional . 2023-03-26 . DNA India . en.
  38. News: Shaktiman: मुकेश खन्ना के 'शक्तिमान' में राजू श्रीवास्तव ने निभाया था यह किरदार, क्या आपको याद है? . 21 September 2022 . Amar Ujala . hi . 19 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220819000627/https://www.amarujala.com/photo-gallery/entertainment/bollywood/raju-srivastav-shaktiman-comedian-played-reporter-role-in-mukesh-khanna-starrer-superhero-shows-shaktimaan . live .
  39. News: Gandhi . Mohak . A look at Raju Srivastava's Top 5 hilarious stand-up comedy performances… WATCH . 21 September 2022 . NewsroomPost . 18 August 2022 . 18 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220818094446/https://newsroompost.com/entertainment/as-we-hope-for-raju-srivastava-to-recover-check-his-top-5-hilarious-stand-up-performances/5163103.html . live .
  40. Web site: Meet the fleet – Indian Express. archive.indianexpress.com. 13 August 2022. 22 September 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220922151303/http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/meet-the-fleet/404162/2. live.
  41. Web site: Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah pays tribute to Raju Srivastava. OTTPlay. 2 May 2023. 2 May 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230502172934/https://www.ottplay.com/news/taarak-mehta-ka-ooltah-chashmah-pays-tribute-to-raju-srivastava-flashback-to-his-entry-on-show-with-satish-kaushik/a49f81d38b163. live.
  42. Web site: BJP is future of Indian politics, says Raju Srivastava. 5 December 2009. News18. 25 April 2014. 12 July 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140712083350/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/comedian-raju-srivastav-exits-bigg-boss-house/106514-8.html. dead.
  43. Web site: Funnyman Raju Srivastava and chef Ripudaman Handa in 'Nach Baliye 6'. Chaya. Unnikrishnan. 14 October 2013. DNA India. 26 September 2019. 26 September 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190926122511/https://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-funnyman-raju-srivastava-and-chef-ripudaman-handa-in-nach-baliye-6-1903420. live.
  44. News: Finally Raju Srivastav on 'Comedy Nights with Kapil'! – Times of India. The Times of India. 6 December 2013 . 26 September 2019. 19 August 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180819060928/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/Comedy-Nights-with-Kapil-Raju-Shrivastav-joins-the-show-Gutthi/articleshow/26947070.cms. live.
  45. Web site: Being seriously funny. 23 April 2014. 26 September 2019. 26 September 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190926122507/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/screen/being-seriously-funny/. live.
  46. News: After Sunil Grover, Is Kapil Sharma's New Co-Star Raju Srivastava? Not Yet . 21 September 2022 . NDTV.com . 23 March 2017 . 29 March 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210329182633/https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/after-sunil-grover-is-kapil-sharmas-new-co-star-raju-srivastav-not-yet-1672667 . live .
  47. Web site: 2022-11-08 . Hostel Daze season 3 teaser: Raju Srivastava makes his final appearance, makes fans emotional. Watch . 2023-03-26 . Hindustan Times . en.