RIP Raju Srivastava : 6 unforgettable cameos of the late 'King of Comedy'
Before his foray into comedy in 2005, Raju Srivastava had been a small-time Bollywood actor.
By ET Online | Updated:
PTI
Raju Srivastava no more- looking back as some of his iconic Bollywood cameos
Popular comedian-actor Raju Srivastava breathed his last on September 21. The 58-year-old comedian had been admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences New Delhi after suffering a massive heart attack on August 10.
Over the past two decades or so, Srivastava had become a household name through his hilarious antics and impeccable comic timing. However before he won public adulation as a stand-up comedian, the evergreen ‘Gajodhar Bhaiya’ shared screen with Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan and several other Bollywood superstars.
Before he rose to fame through his participation in the iconic comedy show ‘Great Indian Laughter Challenge’ , Srivastava spent 20 odd years trying to gain a foothold in Bollywood. However, like most outsiders without industry connections, he failed to create an impact and found himself in blink-and-miss roles before he found his calling in comedy.
Here are a few of his filmy roles : ‘Baazigar’ (1993) Remember the scene where Seema (Shilpa Shetty) arrives at her college and some of her classmates ogle at her? Srivastava played one of her admirers. The role didn’t last more than a couple of minutes but he did a credible job of showcasing a nerdy guy’s massive crush on the college’s most popular girl.
‘Maine Pyar Kiya’ (1989) He played a truck driver and small-time thug in the Salman Khan, Bhagyashree starrer. He was a sidekick of villain Lal Miyan (Deep Dhillon). The Sooraj Barjatya film turned out to be one of the highest grossing Bollywood movies of all time. Although the role was brief, Srivastava managed to grab attention with his earnest performance all the same. ‘Aamdani Atthani Kharcha Rupaiyaa’ (2001) This was a comeback of sorts for the comedy king as it was his first credited role since ‘Baazigar’. In this Govinda-starrer, he played the role of a local don Baba Chin Chin Choo. Watching him trying to be menacing but ending up as bumbly and inept was surely hilarious! ‘Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon’ (2003) Srivastava also starred in this Hrithik Roshan-Kareena starrer. Remember Shambhu, the talkative but loyal servant of Sanjana (Kareena Kapoor)? That was Srivastava in his element. The movie was forgettable, but his act as the earnest, simple-minded servant remains fresh. ‘Waah! Tera Kya Kehna’ (2002) This marks the second collaboration of Govinda and Srivastava, the two master comedians. In this movie he played one of the assistant’s of Govinda’s character Banne Khan. Bombay to Goa’ (2007) This is one of the rare movies where he got to show his full potential as an actor. He managed to grab attention in the role of Anthony Gonsalves. He featured with other popular comedians like Asrani, Sunil Pal etc. Special Mentions He was also a part of the iconic serial ‘Shaktimaan’ (1997) . He essayed the role of a reporter Dhurandhar Singh.
How Raju Srivastava Became A Household Name
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Popular comedian-actor Raju Srivastava remains on the ventilator after being admitted in the intensive care unit of AIIMS on August 10 following a heart attack. The 58-year-old, who underwent an angioplasty, is still critical. As worry surrounds his fans across the world, his daughter Antara informed PTI that doctors are still treating the comedian.
Popular comedian-actor Raju Srivastava remains on the ventilator after being admitted in the intensive care unit of AIIMS on August 10 following a heart attack. The 58-year-old, who underwent an angi..
Read More
Popular comedian-actor Raju Srivastava remains on the ventilator after being admitted in the intensive care unit of AIIMS on August 10 following a heart attack. The 58-year-old, who underwent an angioplasty, is still critical. As worry surrounds his fans across the world, his daughter Antara informed PTI that doctors are still treating the comedian.
Popular comedian-actor Raju Srivastava remains on the ventilator after being admitted in the intensive care unit of AIIMS on August 10 following a heart attack. The 58-year-old, who underwent an angi..
Read More
The actor, whose real name is Satya Prakash Srivastava, was born on December 25, 1963 in Kanpur. A well-known face in the entertainment industry since the 1980s, his film debut happened in 1988 with a small role in N Chandra’s blockbuster 'Tezaab'.But the comedian catapulted to fame only after he came and conquered the first season of the reality stand-up comedy show 'The Great Indian Laughter Challenge' in 2005 with his jokes.
The actor, whose real name is Satya Prakash Srivastava, was born on December 25, 1963 in Kanpur. A well-known face in the entertainment industry since the 1980s, his film debut happened in 1988 with ..
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Before finding major success through 'The Great Indian Laughter Challenge', where he emerged as a second runner-up, Srivastava had appeared in small roles in several Bollywood films such as 'Maine Pyaar Kiya', 'Baazigar', 'Main Prem Ki Deewani Hu', 'Bombay To Goa' and 'Aamdani Atthani Kharcha Rupaiya'.
Before finding major success through 'The Great Indian Laughter Challenge', where he emerged as a second runner-up, Srivastava had appeared in small roles in several Bollywood films such as 'Maine Py..
Read More
Earlier in his career, Srivastava appeared in cameos. In 'Baazigar', he was seen playing the role of a college student. In 'Maine Pyaar Kiya', he played the role of a driver. But when Srivastava appeared on 'The Great Indian Laughter Challenge', he won the crowd with his Gajodhar Bhaiya character. The jokes rolled, so did the laughter.
Earlier in his career, Srivastava appeared in cameos. In 'Baazigar', he was seen playing the role of a college student. In 'Maine Pyaar Kiya', he played the role of a driver. But when Srivastava appe..
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In one of his earlier interviews, Srivastava had recounted the state of affairs in the country’s stand-up comedy domain. . The comedian had said that when he first arrived in Mumbai, people did not consider comedians as "great actors", and at that point, jokes would start and end with Johnny Walker, and Johnny Lever. "At that time, there was no plan for stand-up comedy, so I did not get the space I wanted," Srivastava had said.
In one of his earlier interviews, Srivastava had recounted the state of affairs in the country’s stand-up comedy domain. . The comedian had said that when he first arrived in Mumbai, people did not c..
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But that didn’t stop Srivastava from chasing his dreams. Despite the lack of space, he did manage to make a mark for himself. As stand-up comedy slowly and gradually found a footing in the entertainment industry, Srivastava became one of the regular fixtures.
But that didn’t stop Srivastava from chasing his dreams. Despite the lack of space, he did manage to make a mark for himself. As stand-up comedy slowly and gradually found a footing in the entertainm..
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He went on to appear in several shows such as 'Comedy Ka Maha Muqabala', 'Comedy Circus', 'Laugh India Laugh' and 'Comedy Nights With Kapil'. As stand-up comedy found its audience, it opened several doors for Srivastava who went on to become one of the highest-paid stand-up comedians in India.
He went on to appear in several shows such as 'Comedy Ka Maha Muqabala', 'Comedy Circus', 'Laugh India Laugh' and 'Comedy Nights With Kapil'. As stand-up comedy found its audience, it opened several ..
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During the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the Samajwadi Party fielded Srivastava from Kanpur. However, on March 11, 2014, Srivastava renounced his candidature.. A few days later, the comedian joined the Bharatiya Janata Party on March 19..
During the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, the Samajwadi Party fielded Srivastava from Kanpur. However, on March 11, 2014, Srivastava renounced his candidature.. A few days later, the comedian joined the B..
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Srivastava was a part of the ambassadors chosen to endorse the cleanliness drive in India under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.. The comedian has visited several cities in the country to drive home the message of cleanliness and clean surroundings. He has also done several music videos for Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. Srivastava is also the chairperson of the Film Development Council.
Srivastava was a part of the ambassadors chosen to endorse the cleanliness drive in India under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.. The comedian has visited several cities in the country to drive home the me..
