Raju Srivastava is a “fighter and will come back to be amongst all of us”, the popular actor-comedian’s wife Shikha Srivastava said on Thursday. The 58-year-old was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Delhi after he suffered a heart attack on August 10. He underwent an angioplasty the same day and has been on a ventilator since then.

Shikha said her husband is “stable” and the doctors are treating him well. She requested the media and fans to not spread rumours. “It affects our morale. We do not want negative energy, we need positivity. Please pray for his speedy recovery and he will be back soon. Doctors are giving their best and Raju ji is supporting them, he is fighting,” she added.

Sunil Pal, who is a close friend of Raju and has been in touch with his family, spoke to us about his health condition on Thursday, saying, “I spoke to Raju’s nephew Kushal and I have got to know that Raju’s brain is not functioning. Doctors are trying their best.”

A news agency quoted sources saying that Srivastava had suffered brain damage. “He continues to be on life support and his health condition is critical. He has suffered brain damage. He has not yet gained consciousness,” a source told the agency.

There were no further updates at the time of going to press.