Raju Srivastava, who died on September 21, was a ‘copy’ of Amitabh Bachchan before becoming more widely known.
New Delhi:
Actor Amitabh Bachchan did something straight out of a movie for Raju Srivastava when the comedian was hospitalized a few days before his death. ‘Big B’ sent a voice note to Srivastava, urging him to open his eyes and move on with life, just as his character, a doctor, made a man terminally ill, due to Rajesh Khanna, played in ‘Anand’ (1971).
Raju Srivastava is a lifelong fan and perhaps the most prominent imitator or ‘copy’ of Amitabh Bachchan. They have another special relationship – they are both from UP and Amitabh Bachchan’s original surname is Srivastava.
In addition to his tribute on his blog, Amitabh Bachchan said he was asked to send a voice note to wake the late comedian while he was receiving treatment at AIIMS in Delhi. He did not specify Raju Srivastava’s name.
“Another colleague and creative artist left us.. a sudden pain and passed away before his time.. before his creative period was complete.. every day in the morning. lighted him with spirit and information from those close to him.. they were advised to send a voice to wake his condition.. i did.. they played it for him in his state of being.. he was in his ear,” Bachchan wrote, claiming that “in one instance, he opened his eyes a little, and then disappeared”.
Amitabh Bachchan is his main inspiration, Raju Srivastava said in many interviews. (File)
“His born sense of time and colloquial humour will remain with us.. it is unique, frankly open and full of humour.. he smiles from Heaven now. and will be a reason to reflect with God,” Bachchan wrote.
Raju Srivastava said in an interview, “I became a fan of parody and comedy when I watched Amitabh Bachchan’s ‘Deewar.’ To the point that I used to take his posters and stick them on. them at my house. I styled his hair and started to imitate him.”
A painter pays tribute to Raju Srivastava in Mumbai on Wednesday.
At the age of 58, Raju Srivastava died on September 21. He has been on life support since being admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on August 10 following a cardiac arrest.
He joined the entertainment industry in the 1980s and became widely known after participating in the reality TV show ‘The Great Indian Laughter Challenge’ in 2005.
He is survived by his wife and two children.
