“I got a call in the morning saying he is no more. It is really unfortunate news. He had been waging a struggle for life in hospital for over 40 days,” his brother Dipoo Srivastava told the Press Trust of India from Mumbai.

The comedian died at 10:20am, after 41 days of hospitalisation. He was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in the capital city on August 10 after he experienced chest pain and collapsed while working out at a gym.

The comedian was on a ventilator for over a month. Dipoo, his brother, earlier told the PTI that the comedian was recovering slowly but was unconscious.

Raju got fame through the reality stand-up comedy show The Great Indian Laughter Challenge in 2005 in which cricketer-turned-politician Navjot Singh Sindhu and Indian actor Shekhar Suman. He had reached the finals with Sunil Paal, however, could not lift the coveted trophy.

The show later nurtured names like Kapil Sharma to present his police character. Raju had also participated in the Kapil Sharma Show.

He has also appeared in supporting roles in Hindi films such as Maine Pyar Kiya, Baazigar, the remake of Bombay to Goa and Aamdani Atthani Kharcha Rupaiya.

Tributes pour in

Indian actors paid rich tributes to the actor for act and timing.

“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”He was unique and inimitable.Long live Raju!” Indian actor Shekhar Suman said in a tweet.

Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan was saddened to hear about Raju’s death.

Actor Kiku Sharda described it as a “huge loss for India”.

“In your lifetime you gifted us laughs & more laughs, on & off the screen. Your untimely demise makes me very sad,” said Indian actor Ajay Devgn.