Akshay Kumar, Hrithik Roshan, and other film personalities pay tribute to Raju Srivastava

Raju Srivastava. Pic- Twitter

The demise of "funniest guy in the business" -- Raju Srivastava -- has left film industry colleagues heartbroken, with superstars Ajay Devgn, Akshay Kumar, Hrithik Roshan, Anil Kapoor and Jaaved Jaaferi, among others remembering him for his genius.

Srivastava, who dabbled in movies and made a mark as a stand-up comic, died on Wednesday at the age of 58 after more than 40 days of hospitalisation at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS).

Also Read: Exclusive! Krushna Abhishek: I worked on Raju Srivastava's film as an assistant when I was 18 year old

Devgn said he is saddened by Srivastava's death.
"In your lifetime you gifted us laughs & more laughs, on & off the screen... RIP Raju. Om Shanti. May the Almighty give your family strength in this hour of bereavement," Devgn wrote on Twitter.

Akshay Kumar took to Twitter to remember the comedian.

Hrithik Roshan, who worked with Srivastava in the 2003 film "Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon", also paid homage to the comic.
"Forever in our hearts. Rest in peace Raju Srivastava Sir. My condolences to the family," he said.

Veteran actor Shekhar Suman, who had served as one of the judges on "The Great Indian Laughter Challenge", remembered the comedian as a unique and inimitable talent."Raju was the funniest man alive. We will all miss him forever. I had the privilege and honour of judging him on many shows including 'The Great Indian Laughter Challenge' that catapulted him to unimaginable heights. Long live Raju!" Suman said.

Writer and stand-up comic Varun Grover described Srivastava as "the first stand-up comedian of Hindi", who took out humour and satire from the pandals of 'kavi sammelan' and mimicry.
"Raju Bhai was the biggest star of Lucknow Doordarshan in the 90s. There was no one better than him at finding the humor out of characters struggling with everyday difficulties," Grover tweeted.

"Raju Srivastava has gone! Hopefully the lesson that he leaves behind is that irreverence should be our default state. To laugh in the face of authority is a fundamental right. Alvida!" wrote director Sudhir Mishra.

The "funniest guy in the business" has saddened innumerable hearts today, said actor-comedian Jaaferi.
"Knew him from his very humble beginnings in show biz. You will be always remembered with a smile. RIP @iRajuSrivastava. Condolences to family and friends," he tweeted.

Also Read: Sunil Pal: I wish a miracle would have saved Raju bhai

Raju Srivastava, counted as among the most high profile and experienced comics in the country, was admitted to the AIIMS after suffering a heart attack on August 10 at a hotel in Delhi. As an actor he featured in Hindi films such as "Maine Pyar Kiya" and "Baazigar", the remake of "Bombay to Goa" and "Aamdani Atthani Kharcha Rupaiya".

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