Popular actor and comedian Rajpal Yadav surrendered at Delhi's Tihar Jail in a cheque-bounce case following a court order. The actor had taken a loan of Rs 5 crore in 2010 to fund his directorial debut, Ata Pata Laapata. However, the film failed at the box office, and Rajpal Yadav was unable to repay the loan. Over the years, the unpaid amount, along with interest and penalties, swelled to nearly Rs 9 crore.
However, days after the actor surrendered himself, his last words and emotional statements have taken over the internet. Several netizens questioned why Bollywood has not come out in support of Rajpal Yadav during his legal crisis.
At the same time, many also expressed a contrary view, asking why the actor failed to save money or manage his finances despite years in the industry. Some users pointed out that Rajpal Yadav allegedly scammed people, stating that the legal action against him was fair and that there was no need for celebrities to step in or offer financial help in a case involving cheque-bounce and fraud-related charges.
According to reports, Rajpal Yadav made an emotional statement moments before surrendering to the authorities. As per NewsX, the actor broke down while speaking and said, "Sir, kya karoon? Mere paas paise nahin hain. Aur koi upaay nahin dikhta... Sir, yahan hum sab akele hain. There are no friends. I have to deal with this crisis on my own."
Bollywood actor Sonu Sood, known for his helping nature and touted as the real hero of Bollywood, has come out in support of Rajpal Yadav.
Taking to X and later Instagram, Sonu announced that he would cast Yadav in his upcoming film and urged other filmmakers to extend support by offering signing amounts for future projects.
In his Instagram story, Sonu Sood 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. He will be part of my film, and I believe this is the moment for all of us—producers, directors, colleagues—to stand together."
He further added, "A small signing amount, adjustable against future work, is not charity; it's dignity. 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."
Let's take a look at what netizens have to say.
All you need to know about the case!
The legal trouble dates back to 2010, when Rajpal Yadav took a loan of around Rs 5 crore for Ata Pata Laapata. After failing to clear the dues, he issued cheques that later bounced, triggering criminal proceedings. In April 2018, a magistrate's court convicted Rajpal Yadav and his wife under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act and sentenced them to six months' imprisonment.
In June 2024, the Delhi High Court temporarily suspended his conviction, subject to his taking "sincere and genuine measures" to reach an amicable settlement. However, in an order passed on February 2, the court noted that Yadav had repeatedly breached his undertakings to repay the complainant. The court directed him to surrender by 4 pm on February 4 and observed that his conduct deserved to be deprecated.
The court also stated that Yadav was required to pay Rs 1.35 crore in each of the seven cases against him and ordered the release of the amount already deposited with the Registrar General in favour of the complainant. Despite depositing two demand drafts of Rs 75 lakh earlier, an amount of nearly Rs 9 crore remained unpaid. On February 4, the high court refused to extend the deadline, following which Rajpal Yadav surrendered at Tihar Jail.
