New Delhi: Actor Rajpal Yadav has found support from his industry colleague Sonu Sood and Bihar politician Tej Pratap Yadav after landing up in Delhi’s Tihar jail in a long-running loan default and a cheque bounce case. Just before surrendering in connection with the Rs 9 crore debt and cheque bounce case, Rajpal Yadav made an emotional confession to police, admitting he was facing a severe financial crunch and had no one to turn to for help. In a show of solidarity, Sood then offered Rajpal a film along with a signing amount.
“Sir, what do I do? I do not have the money, and I do not see a way out. We are all alone here. There are no friends. I have to deal with this crisis on my own,” said the actor. He was sent to Tihar jail to serve a six-month sentence.
“Rajpal Yadav is a gifted actor who has given years of unforgettable work to our industry. Sometimes life turns unfair, not because of talent, but because timing can be brutal. He will be part of my film, and I believe this is the moment for all of us..producers, directors, colleagues to stand together. A small signing amount, adjustable against future work, is not charity, it’s dignity,” Sood wrote on X.
The Bhool Bhulaiyaa actor’s ongoing legal troubles have also prompted support from Tej Pratap Yadav. On Tuesday, Tej Pratap Yadav announced that he would extend financial assistance of Rs 11 lakh to the actor, who surrendered before authorities on 5 February.
“I just learned about the grief and suffering of the family of Rajpal Yadav ji through a post by m Rao Inderjit Yadav ji. In this extremely difficult time, I and the entire JJD (Jan Shakti Janata Dal) family stand firmly with the bereaved family with our deepest condolences and solidarity,” the politician wrote on X.
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Legal battle
Rajpal Yadav’s ongoing legal troubles date back to 2010, when he borrowed Rs 5 crore from Murali Projects Pvt Ltd to finance his directorial venture Ata Pata Laapata. The film failed to perform at the box office, leading to severe financial strain and difficulties in repaying the loan. He was given multiple extensions over the years to repay the loan in instalments, but several cheques issued by the actor reportedly bounced, triggering legal action.
In April 2018, a magisterial court convicted Yadav and his wife in several cheque bounce cases and sentenced him to six months’ imprisonment. A sessions court upheld this conviction in 2019. Yadav then filed more appeals in the court.
On 5 February 2026, Yadav appeared before the court for the proceedings. His counsel informed the court that he was ready to submit a demand draft of Rs 25 lakh and adhere to a fresh payment schedule.
Despite the offer, the judge declined to recall the surrender order and mentioned that compassion must be balanced with discipline and that the judiciary could not create “special circumstances” for individuals from the film industry.
(Edited by Prasanna Bachchhav)