Raju Srivastav

Biography:

Satya Prakash Srivastav, known by his professional name Raju Srivastav and often credited as Gajodhar, was a renowned Indian comedian, actor, and politician. He was born on December 25, 1963, in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. In the 1980s, he relocated to Mumbai to pursue a career in the Hindi film industry. His acting credits include appearances in films like Baazigar, Bombay to Goa, and Aamdani Atthanni Kharcha Rupaiya, among others.

Raju Srivastav gained recognition through his participation in the comedy competition The Great Indian Laughter Challenge, where he finished as the runner-up. He continued his success in the spin-off show, The Great Indian Laughter Challenge – Champions, where he was awarded the title of “The King of Comedy.” He also made a mark with numerous stand-up comedy live performances.

Born into a Kayastha family, he exhibited a talent for mimicking film stars, including Amitabh Bachchan, during his childhood. In the 1980s, he made his way to Mumbai and embarked on his career by taking up minor roles in Bollywood films. He appeared in movies such as Maine Pyar Kiya, Baazigar, and Bombay to Goa. He further showcased his acting and comedic skills in Aamdani Atthanni Kharcha Rupaiya.

In 2005, Raju Srivastav entered the realm of stand-up comedy through The Great Indian Laughter Challenge, clinching the second runner-up position. He continued his success in The Great Indian Laughter Challenge – Champions, where he was bestowed with the title “The King of Comedy.” This propelled his fame, and by 2009, he had performed in over 2,800 live shows.

Expressing concerns about vulgarity in comedy, he advocated for comedians to exercise self-regulation. His involvement in reality shows like Bigg Boss (Hindi season 3) and participation in other television programs like Nach Baliye season 6 and Comedy Nights with Kapil further added to his recognition.

Raju Srivastav’s impact extended beyond the entertainment world. In 2019, he was appointed as the chairman of the Uttar Pradesh Film Development Council by the BJP-led Government of Uttar Pradesh. He also used his platform to voice his opinions, such as when he criticized the creators and actors of the web series Tandav for allegedly hurting Hindu sentiments.

Tragically, on August 10, 2022, Raju Srivastav suffered a cardiac arrest while exercising on a treadmill and underwent medical treatment. Despite efforts, his condition remained critical, and he passed away on September 21, 2022, during treatment in Delhi. His demise was mourned by numerous prominent figures including Narendra Modi, Yogi Adityanath, Amit Shah, Ajay Devgn, Akshay Kumar, Anil Kapoor, and others who expressed their condolences over his untimely death.