The condition of popular standup comedian Raju Srivastava, 58, is said to be “critical” as he is currently “on ventilator” in the intensive care unit (ICU) of the All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), according to hospital sources.

Srivastava was in the middle of a cardio workout on the treadmill when he complained of pain in his chest and collapsed. His trainer immediately rushed him to AIIMS where he was given CPR and revived, before undergoing emergency angioplasty. 

Raju Srivastava’s cousin Ashok Srivastava had on Wednesday evening said the comedian suffered a heart attack while exercising.

“He is critical and on ventilator in the ICU,” the hospital source told PTI. He was doing his routine exercise and while he was on the treadmill, he suddenly fell down. He suffered a heart attack and was immediately taken to the AIIMS hospital,” he had told PTI, adding that the actor-comedian’s wife Shikha Srivastava had reached Delhi.

Earlier, Raju’s friend and fellow comedian, Sunil Pal, had said that he was doing much better via a video shared on Instagram. “It is a fact that comedy king Raju Srivastava suffered a heart attack. He was admitted to AIIMS but now he is much better. With all your prayers and God’s blessings, he is doing well. He is out of danger. Raju brother, get well soon. All of us love you a lot. It is good news for everyone that he is doing better now. We are waiting for him in Mumbai,” he had said.

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Srivastava, who has been active in the entertainment industry since the late 1980s, received recognition after participating in the first season of the stand-up comedy show “The Great Indian Laughter Challenge” in 2005.

He has appeared in 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.

Srivastava is the current chairman of the Film Development Council Uttar Pradesh.

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Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath today got in touch with the comedian’s wife and assured her of his support and all possible help. The country’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has also spoken with the family, and is said to be keeping tabs on Raju Srivastava’s condition by keeping in touch with the AIIMS Director.