Rajpal Yadav, known for his comic timing, recently surrendered to Tihar Jail after failing to repay a debt of nearly Rs 9 crore. The case is related to multiple cheque bounce complaints filed under the Negotiable Instruments Act. The trouble began in 2010 when Rajpal took a loan of Rs 5 crore from Delhi-based Murali Projects Pvt Ltd to fund his directorial film Ata Pata Laapata. The film failed at the box office, and repayment soon became difficult.
After several cheques issued by Rajpal bounced, a magisterial court in 2018 sentenced Rajpal and his wife Radha Yadav to six months in jail. This verdict was upheld by a sessions court in 2019. Later, the couple approached the Delhi High Court, which in 2024 temporarily suspended the sentence, noting that they were not habitual offenders and deserved time to settle the matter. However, despite repeated opportunities, Rajpal failed to clear the dues.
Actor Sonu Sood stepped in, offering Rajpal a film and a small signing amount, emphasizing it's about dignity, not charity. Sonu wrote, "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."
Sonu Sood also appealed to the industry to support Rajpal, saying, "When one of our own is going through a tough phase, the industry must remind him he's not alone. This is how we show we are more than just an industry".