Raju Srivastav was one of the most beloved stand-up comedians in Indian television. He was known for his excellent comic timing and use of mimicry. Srivastav started as an actor with small roles in films like Maine Pyar Kiya and Baazigar before moving to stand-up comedy in 2005 in the comedy talent show, The Great Indian Laughter Challenge. He passed away in September, last year. On his birth anniversary, we look at 10 interesting facts about his life and career.
1. Raju Srivastav was born in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh on Christmas day, December 25.
2. Satya Prakash Srivastava was his birth name.
3. Srivastav created Gajodhar Bhaiya, the stage persona he used while performing stand-up comedy. Srivastav’s fans and those who looked up to him as an inspiration, called him Raju Bhaiya.
4. Raju Srivastav used to drive an auto rickshaw in Mumbai before he found success. His financial situation was so dire that he used to perform in stand-up shows for the measly sum of INR 50.
5. Raju Srivastav debuted as an actor in the 1988 film Tezaab. He played the small role of a Police constable opposite lead actor Anil Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit.
6. He played the character Dhurandhar Singh in Shaktimaan, the highly popular superhero TV series from the late ‘90s. The comedian was also part of Shekhar Suman’s comedy series, Dekh Bhai Dekh from the early ‘90s.
7. Srivastav reportedly entertained about 150 people travelling in the same plane as him after the flight got delayed by a whole hour.
8. Raju Srivastav was briefly a member of the Samajwadi Party (SP) before he joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2014. He never received a ticket for Lok Sabha elections from BJP, but was made the brand ambassador of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan campaign. He also served as the chairman of Uttar Pradesh’s Film Vikas Parishad and helped set up Noida Film City.
9. He also wrote regularly for the “Hasyarang” section of Hindi newspaper, Dainik Bhaskar.
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10. Raju Srivastava is survived by his wife Shikha, daughter Antara and son Ayushman. Antara had won the National Bravery Award in 2006 for defending her home from robbers.
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