When Raju Srivastava rushed to Mumbai after Amitabh Bachchan’s near-fatal Coolie harm: ‘Would pray for his life every day…’

If there was one leitmotif within the lifetime of Raju Srivastava, it was most likely Amitabh Bachchan. The celebrity was the one who pulled him to Mumbai for the primary time, set him off on his comedian profession and whose {photograph} nonetheless occupies pleasure of place in his dwelling.

Bachchan was “god” for the favored comic, who died at a Delhi hospital on Wednesday on the age of 58, mentioned his brother.

Raju Srivastava, who grew up watching each Amitabh Bachchan movie in a cinema corridor in his hometown Kanpur, was first observed for his resemblance to the star after which for his impersonations of him.

In 1982, Srivastava, then simply 18, rushed to Mumbai when Bachchan sustained a near-fatal harm whereas capturing for the movie Coolie.  The thought was to get a glimpse of the person. That didn’t occur in fact and Srivastava joined the crowds holding vigil outdoors the Breach Candy Hospital the place Bachchan was admitted.

“Raju bhai would eat ‘vada pav’ every day and stand outside the hospital and pray for Bachchan ji’s life. He had come to see Amitabh Bachchan ji as he considered him god,” Srivastava’s brother Dipoo informed PTI.

Amitabh Bachchan recovered and returned to the units. And Raju Srivastava took the life altering resolution to remain on and make a profession within the leisure trade. “He slept on the bridge of Dadar station, in parks and stayed in jhopadpattis (slums). He would sift through newspaper ads to find out about comedy shows in the city,” his brother mentioned.

Recalling their rising up years, Dipoo mentioned Srivastava wouldn’t miss a single Bachchan film and would typically bunk college to observe his idol on display.

“He got beaten many times for this by our mother. During Independence Day celebrations in school, he would imitate him. He would also dance in ‘baraats’ (marriage procession) whenever Amitabh Bachchan songs were played in Kanpur,” Dipoo, additionally a comic book in Mumbai, added.

It was maybe future that he would land a job impersonating his favorite actor at a comedy present. In one such present in Mumbai, Gulshan Kumar of T-Series was within the viewers. “After seeing bhai’s comedy, Gulshan Kumar offered him an audio cassette show named ‘Hasna Mana Hai’. He did about 25 to 30 such shows for labels like T-Series and Venus,” Dipoo mentioned.

The attachment with the star continued by means of the years.

According to Dipoo, {a photograph} of Amitabh Bachchan is a everlasting fixture at Raju Srivastava’s home even at the moment. “Raju bhai would seek blessings from him before going for any show,” his brother mentioned.

Srivastava, who dabbled in motion pictures and later entered politics, suffered a coronary heart assault whereas figuring out at a Delhi lodge on August 10. He was rushed to hospital and had been on the ventilator ever since.

The comic joined the BJP in 2014 after a stint with the Samajwadi Party.

Srivastava had additionally starred in movies resembling Maine Pyar Kiya and Baazigar, the remake of Bombay to Goa, Aamdani Atthani Kharcha Rupaiya, and Main Prem Ki Deewani Hoon.