Rajpal Yadav, loved for his comedy roles, is currently lodged in Tihar Jail. In a conversation with The Statesman, his friend Rajiv Gupta opened up about the tension, hope, and intense legal battle unfolding behind the chaos.
The story goes back to 2010. Rajpal Yadav borrowed ₹5 crore from a Delhi-based company, Murali Projects Pvt Ltd. The money was meant to fund his dream project, his directorial debut, ‘Ata Pata Laapata’, which released in 2012.
The film, however, failed at the box office. The borrowed money could not be repaid. What began as a financial setback slowly turned into a legal battle that has now stretched for years.
Cheque bounce case and jail sentence
In April 2018, things became serious. A magistrate’s court convicted Rajpal Yadav and his wife Radha Yadav under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act. Seven cheques issued by them had bounced.
The court sentenced Rajpal to six months of simple imprisonment.
Years later, in June 2024, the Delhi High Court suspended his sentence. But there was a clear condition. The court directed him to show “genuine” efforts to repay the dues. By then, the total outstanding amount had increased to nearly ₹9 crore.
By October 2025, Rajpal had deposited ₹75 lakh. However, the court noted that a large portion of the amount was still unpaid.
In February 2025, Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma directed Rajpal Yadav to surrender. He made a last-minute request asking for one more week to arrange the remaining money. The plea was dismissed.
He was taken into custody and is currently in Tihar Jail.
According to Rajiv Gupta, the next court hearing is on the 12th. “Only after that, everything will become clear,” he says.
Rajpal Yadav’s friend speaks: “This is his own legal battle”
Rajiv Gupta, who has known Rajpal for over a decade, is standing firmly by him.
“Rajpal Yadav is not just a colleague to me. He is like my brother and my friend. I have been arranging TV commercials for him. We have been working together for the last 13-14 years,” Rajiv shares.
He adds that the last time they met was during the shooting of ‘Welcome To Jungle’. Rajpal was even supposed to attend Rajiv’s niece’s wedding but could not because of the ongoing crisis.
“When something unusual happens, it spreads very fast and becomes bigger,” Rajiv says. “Rajpal has seen everything in life from struggle to becoming a star. He is used to fighting difficult situations. The public is also supporting him. But this is his own legal battle. There is tension, and there is a fight going on. Still, he is very strong.”
Promises of financial help but no money yet
Many names have come forward with offers of support.
Sonu Sood has offered him a role in his upcoming film along with a small signing amount. Politician Tej Pratap Yadav has announced ₹11 lakh. Kamaal R Khan has promised ₹10 lakh. Music producer Rao Inderjeet Singh has offered ₹1.11 crore.
Also Read: Rajpal Yadav case: Legal troubles escalate, Tej Pratap Yadav offers ₹11 lakh; Sonu Sood, Gurmeet Choudhary support
“There are reports in the media that Sonu Sood will give him an advance payment for his next film. Right now, it is just a statement. KRK has also promised help. The producers of ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa’ have promised help. A businessman from Gurgaon has also promised. But till now, no money has actually come.”
In short, promises have been made. Funds have not reached yet.
Work was never stopped
Many people on social media have questioned Rajpal’s financial condition. Some even asked, “He has worked for 25 years, does he not have money?”
Rajiv responds to that.
“Rajpal ji is not finished. He is working properly and continuously. He was not sitting at home without work.”
According to him, Rajpal has 2-3 films lined up with Akshay Kumar. Some are small projects, some are big ones. He is also doing TV commercials regularly.
Social media noise and rumours
After Tej Pratap Yadav announced financial support, some online users began linking the help to caste, since both share the surname Yadav. Others questioned whether Bollywood is facing so much unemployment that actors need public donations.
Meanwhile, social media posts even dragged in big names like Kareena Kapoor and Salman Khan.
Rajiv dismisses such claims. “On social media, I saw names like Kareena Kapoor and Salman Khan being mentioned. But these are only rumours. They are big stars and they have not said anything officially.”
Court’s clear message
Rajiv makes one thing very clear that emotions do not matter in court.
“But the court works only according to rules and law. It does not work on emotions,” he says.
He recalls, “The High Court judge clearly said that the court is upset because the matter was not taken seriously. She said, ‘You may be an actor, but the court also deserves respect.’”
And then he adds, “Right now, the amount involved in the case has become very big. In court, emotions do not matter. Everyone will present their side properly.”
Rajpal’s brothers are attending the hearings regularly while he remains in jail.
From playing funny side characters to directing his own film, Rajpal Yadav has seen both fame and failure. His friend believes this is just another difficult chapter.
“There is tension, and there is a fight going on. Still, he is very strong,” Rajiv repeats.
For now, all eyes are on the next court hearing on the 12th. The final decision will depend not on sympathy, not on promises, and not on social media noise but on law, payment, and proof.