Comedian Raju Srivastava died at age 58 in New Delhi, his family said. He was admitted to AIIMS Delhi in August this year after experiencing chest pain while working out at the gym. 

“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”, his brother Dipoo told news agency PTI.

Raju Srivastava was declared dead at 10:20 AM, according to hospital sources.

Srivastava had been in the hospital for 41 days and underwent angioplasty on August 10, shortly after being admitted. His condition had been improving over the last two weeks, Dipoo Srivastava said.

Tributes started flowing in soon after comedian Raju Srivastava’s death was announced. Comedian and actor Vipul Goyal wrote, “Will always cherish this evening. Thanks for the entertainment and inspiring a generation of comedians” calling Raju Srivastava a “legend.”

Srivastava, who has been in the entertainment industry since the 1980s, shot to fame after participating in the first season of the reality stand-up comedy show The Great Indian Laughter Challenge in 2005.

He also made appearances in Bollywood films like Bombay to Goa, Aamdani Atthani Kharcha Rupaiya, Baazigar and Maine Pyaar Kiya. He also headed Uttar Pradesh’s Film Development Council.