Raju Srivastava Cremated In Delhi, Family And Friends Bid Adieu To The Comedian

Popular comedian Raju Srivastava was cremated on Thursday at Nigambodh ghat in New Delhi in the presence of family and close friends. 

Popular comedian Raju Srivastava was cremated on Thursday at Nigambodh ghat in New Delhi in the presence of family and close friends.  ( Image Source :Twitter )

New Delhi: Popular comedian Raju Srivastava was cremated on Thursday at Nigambodh ghat in New Delhi in the presence of family and close friends. 

Raju died on September 21 after battling for his life for the past one and a half months. The 58-year-old comedian was admitted to AIIMS following a heart attack while working out on August 10. 

Raju’s friends and fellow comedians Sunil Pal and Ashaan Qureshi were also present to pay last respects to the late comedian.  

Srivastava's mortal remains were taken to his residence in Dwarka after they were handed over to the family on Wednesday. 

An ambulance decked up with white flowers left for the Nigambodh Ghat crematorium at Kashmere Gate around 9 am for the funeral, which also had veteran poet-humorists Surendra Sharma and Ashok Chakradhar in attendance. 

Srivastava's son Ayushmaan performed the last rites as per Hindu rituals around 11 am, the comedian's younger brother Dipoo told PTI. 

"We left from the house in Dwarka at about 9 am for the funeral. Our family members from Kanpur and Lucknow are here," he added. 

"It was heartwarming to see so many of his fans and colleagues come here to pay tribute to Raju bhai," said Dipoo.  The family has yet to decide the venue for the prayer meet, he further said. 

Raju came to Mumbai to join the entertainment industry in the 1980s but he rose to fame rose to fame with the first-of-its-kind stand-up comedy talent hunt show 'The Great Indian Laughter Challenge', in 2005.    

His stage characters of Gajodhar and Manodhar on 'The Great Indian Laughter Challenge' have been loved by everyone.   

Raju appeared in many 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. 

(With inputs from PTI)