Indian-origin stand-up comedian dies while performing in Dubai

An Indian-origin stand-up comedian died on stage on Friday, as per media reports. The reports said that Manjunath Naidu suffered from a cardiac arrest owing to a high-level of anxiety while performing his act in front of a packed audience. He was 36-years-old.

While performing his act, reports say, that he complained of high level of anxiety. He then sat down on the bench next to him and then collapsed on the floor. However, the audience thought it was part of the show, the reports said.

Naidu was born in Abu Dhabi but then she shifted base to Dubai. 

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Miqdaad Dohadwala, his friend and fellow comedian said to the media that Naidu's act was the last one in the line-up. He said that he went on the stage and was getting good laughs from the audience. He added that Naidu was speaking about his father and family and then segued into how he suffered from anxiety. A minute into the story, he collapsed. "People thought it was part of the act. They took it as a joke as he was talking about anxiety and then collapsed," he said.

Paramedics were called but they could not revive him.“His parents passed away and he has a brother but no relatives here. All in the arts and comedy circle are his family,” he added.

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His other friend from the industry wrote a heartfelt tribute for him on the social media. Imah Dumagay wrote on Facebook about how he inspired her and how much he was respected by his friends from the comedy circle.

"...We look up to you. You inspire us. You make us laugh effortlessly. We all have nothing but good things to say about YOU. You did live right brother! And Don’t worry, we have Grace Chng’s back!" her post said

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