Rajpal Yadav has found himself at the centre of a legal controversy after being sent to Tihar Jail in connection with a Rs 9 crore cheque bounce case. Addressing the situation publicly, the actor shared that the reality behind the headlines is far more layered than what people assume. Speaking on Shubhankar Mishra’s podcast, the conversation also touched upon Nawazuddin Siddiqui, who had once described Rajpal as a kind-hearted person known for supporting struggling actors.
During the interaction, Rajpal responded to the common belief that someone with such a long career should have easily repaid Rs 5 crore. He said, “That’s exactly the question… the day people understand this, they will understand my entire case… I was not jailed because I didn’t have money. It was about a larger issue and a matter of principle.” He further explained that if it were only about the amount, “it would have been resolved in 2012 itself,” adding, “Ye 5 crore ka masla hota to 2012 me nipat ta. Iss 5 crore ne 17 crore ko dubane ka kaam kiya hai.”
Opening up about the project tied to the dispute, the actor revealed that a major portion of the film had already been completed before things fell apart. “Rs 12 crore had already been spent… it became a Rs 22 crore project…If even enemies are involved in a project, they should let it release. The audience should decide,” he said. Addressing allegations of wrongdoing, he added, “In the film industry, out of 100 films, 20 work and 80 fail… If a film fails, it doesn’t mean fraud has been committed.” He also maintained faith in the legal system, stating, “this fight was not started by me, but it will end because of me.”
The case dates back to 2010, when Rajpal borrowed ₹5 crore from Murali Projects Pvt Ltd to finance his directorial debut, Ata Pata Laapata. After the film failed commercially, he was unable to repay the loan, leading to legal action under the Negotiable Instruments Act. He was convicted in 2018, with the decision upheld in 2019, and the amount eventually rising to nearly Rs 9 crore. Earlier this year, he surrendered and was sent to jail before being granted interim bail after depositing Rs 1.5 crore. Several celebrities, including Sonu Sood and Mika Singh, extended their support. On the work front, Rajpal was recently seen in Bhooth Bangla, directed by Priyadarshan and featuring Akshay Kumar along with Paresh Rawal, Tabu and Wamiqa Gabbi.
Also Read: Photos: Akshay Kumar, Priyadarshan and Rajpal Yadav Reunite for Bhooth Bangla Promotions
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