Raju Srivastava cremated at Nigam bodh Ghat amidst slogans hailing him by his family n admirers

After struggling for survival for the last forty one days star comedian actor Raju Shrivastava alias Gajodhar Bhayya has been accorded final adieu on Thursday amidst hundreds of fans, friends n family members in Delhi, in tears.

He was cremated at Nigam Bodh Ghar amidst raising of slogans hailing their super star comic actor Raju Srivastava.

His supporters n admirers were raising slogans like “Jab Tak Suraj Chand rahega Gajodhar Bhaiyya tumhara naam Rahega”, Till sun n moon will exist the name of Gajodhar bhayya will exist ( this was Raju Shrivastava’s comedy character name). Raju originally hailed from Kanpur and he had shifted to Mumbai in 1982 from where he commenced his career as a stand up comedian never to look back again also acting in several Bollywood movies.

After his tragic demise his family took a decision to cremate him in Delhi as one of his brother was living here.

Hundreds of his admirers joined joined his Coffin journey at Nigam bodh bidding him final adieu in tears.

Apart from commoners several VVIPs n VIPs were his die hard fans. He mimicked the former prime minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to great extent earning accolades from the audience. Even prime minister Narendra Modi, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath, Defence minister Rajnath Singh, HM Amit Shah and Laloo Prasad Yadav etc lauded him for imitating them. He also imitated Mulaayam Singh Yadav and Sharad Pawar very efficiently making everyone laugh.

Once prime minister Narendra Modi asked Raju to imitate him as he had heard about him imitating PM on public stage.

The political personalities n even film celebrities whom he imitated never objected rather enjoyed his outstanding qualities of mimickry to entertain one and all.

Prime minister Narendra Modi while expressing his deepest condolences in the passing away of Raju Srivastava tweeted clubbing his picture with him : Raju Shrivastava brightened our lives with laughter, humour and positivity. He leaves us too soon but he will continue to live in the hearts of countless people, thanks to his, rich work over the years. His, demise is saddening. Condolences to the families and admirers. Om Shanti tweeted Prime minister Narendra Modi. The Union home minister Amit Shah tweeted : Renowned comic actor Raju Shrivastava had a unique style. He impressed one and all by his wonderful talent. His death is a huge loss to the world of arts. I express my deepest condolences to the family n admirers. May the Almighty give the strength to bear this irreparable loss. Om Shanti. The defence minister Rajnath Singh tweeted : I am deeply pained on learning about the sad demise of renowned comic artist Raju Srivastava. He was a lively human being apart from a talented actor. He was also active in the social arena. I convey my condolences to the admirers n family. Om Shanti. Kindly recall that 58 years old Raju Shrivastava was also the chairman of the UP Film Development Council.

Raju Srivastava’s close friends Aihsaan Qureshi and Sunil Pal came to Nigambodh Ghar to pay their tearful tributes. Several other dignitaries and poets like renowned poets Surendra Sharma and Kumar Vishwas etc were also present on this anguishing ocassion.