Raju Srivastava had saved Amitabh Bachchan's contact as 'Guru ji', reveals daughter Antara

Actor Raju Srivastava's family is still trying to cope with the loss of the popular comedian. But, his daughter Antara took some time out to express her gratitude towards megastar Amitabh Bachchan.

Sharing the heartwarming post on her father's official Instagram handle, the Associate Producer of 'Vodka Diaries' thanked the Big B for playing an instrumental role in her father's success and standing by their family during tough times.

"Extremely grateful to Amitabh Bachchan uncle for being there for us every single day during this tough time. Your prayers gave us an abundance of strength and support, which we will remember forever," Antara said in her post.

Alongside a picture of Srivastava and Bachchan, the aspiring film-maker shared that the 'Paa' star was an idol, inspiration and guru to her father.

The stand-up comic, who passed away on September 21 after 41 days of hospitalisation, was an ardent fan of Bachchan since his teens. As a child, Srivastava would never miss a Bachchan movie and often bunked school to watch his idol on screen. He got his first major break because he resembled the Big B and his ability to impersonate the cinema icon.

The late comedian was also first noticed for his resemblance to Bachchan. From the first time Srivastava saw Big B on the big screen, Antara said Bachchan stayed 'within' his father forever. "He not just followed you on-screen but off it also," she added.

The late 58-year-old was taken to the All India Institute Of Medical Sciences on August 10 after suffering a heart attack while working out. He underwent an angioplasty and was on a ventilator since then.

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A post shared by Raju Srivastav (@rajusrivastavaofficial)

Antara further shared that Bachchan's contact on Srivastava's phone was saved as 'Guru ji'. "Him reacting on listening to your audio clip clearly shows what you meant to him," she said.

Last week, in his official blog, Bachchan said that he had sent a voice note to the Srivastavas to help the comic and his family during the artiste's treatment and hospitalisation. "Each day in the morning with him in spirit and information from nearby ones, they got advised to send a voice to awaken his condition. I did, they played it for him in his state in his ears. On one instance he did open his eye a bit and then went away," the veteran star wrote.

The 79-year-old - who was 'god' to the late TV actor - also lauded Srivastava's sense of timing and colloquial humour. "Another colleague, friend and creative artist leaves us. A sudden ailment and gone before time, before his creativity time completion... His sense of timing and the colloquial humour of his birth shall remain with us. It was unique, open, frank and filled with humour. He smiles from the heavens now and will be the reason for mirth with God," his post read.

"My mother Shikha, brother Aayushmaan and my entire family are eternally thankful to you (Bachchan). The love and admiration he receives globally is all because of you," she concluded her post.

Srivastava, a popular name in India's stand-up comedy circuit, first came to Mumbai in 1982 when Bachchan sustained a near-fatal injury while shooting for the film 'Coolie'. He just wanted to get a glimpse of the main man. Srivastava joined the crowds outside the Breach Candy Hospital where Bachchan was admitted and prayed for the actor's life.

After Bachchan recovered and returned to the sets, Srivastava took the life-changing decision to stay on and make a career in the entertainment industry. The attachment with Bachchan continued through the years. A photo of the star is a permanent fixture at Srivastava's house even today.