Not completely out of danger: After suffering a heart attack, Raju Srivastava undergoes angioplasty

NEW DELHI: Sources close to comedian Raju Srivastava, including his daughter Antara, late on Wednesday evening said that the much-loved entertainer was stable and responding well to treatment, but not yet completely out of danger.

Antara told ETimes that her father Raju Srivastava suffered a heart attack – I can’t comment on the details, cannot say if it was a mild or severe heart attack as that aspect can only be explained by the doctors treating him, she said.

Srivastava’s friends like fellow-comedian Sunil Pal said he responded well to treatment after an angioplasty at the AIIMS, where he is admitted.

Srivastava suffered a cardiac arrest while working out in a gym at a star hotel in the Capital early on Wednesday morning.

According to ANI, Srivastava who was working out at the gym, suddenly experienced severe chest pain and collapsed.

He was rushed to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi.

Latest reports on Wednesday evening said Srivastava underwent an angioplasty at the AIIMS and is responding to treatment.

He is presently out of danger. He’s recovering and will be kept under observation for a few days before being discharged, ANI and NDTV reported.

However, doctors attending to him said it is too early to comment on anything. “He is safe for now, but the next 3-4 days are crucial,” one source at the hospital said.

Srivastava was exercising on the treadmill when he complained about chest pain and subsequently collapsed.

Comedian Sunil Pal confirmed the developments on his Instagram, saying Srivastava is now out of danger.

Apparently, according to some media reports, Srivastava has had heart problems in the past and was treated for heart disease, including installation of a stent to clear blockages.

Srivastava who lives in Mumbai had gone to Udaipur for professional commitments from where he flew to Delhi. His brothers and other family live in Delhi and while he was staying in a hotel, he was in Delhi to meet with his family and relatives, sources said.

It was the prompt action of the hotel and gym staff that possibly saved his life as he was immediately rushed to the AIIMS after he collapsed in the gym.

Raju Srivastava has appeared in a number of films, including Maine Pyar Kiya, Baazigar, Bombay to Goa, and Aamdani Atthanni Kharcha Rupaiya.

He also appeared in the third season of reality show Bigg Boss. After performing as a stand-up comedian on the show ‘The Great Indian Laughter Challenge’, he came into the limelight for his great comic timing.