The episode dates back to 2010, when Yadav borrowed ₹5 crore from a Delhi-based businessman to finance his directorial debut, the musical satire Ata Pata Laapata.
The episode dates back to 2010, when Yadav borrowed ₹5 crore from a Delhi-based businessman to finance his directorial debut, the musical satire Ata Pata Laapata. It marked his first venture behind the camera. The film, however, ran into multiple hurdles and failed to unfold as envisioned.
The matter dates back to 2010, when Yadav borrowed ₹5 crore from M/s Murali Projects Pvt Ltd to finance his directorial venture Ata Pata Laapata. The film did not perform well at the box office, leading to financial losses.
Subsequently, cheque bounce complaints were filed against him. In April 2018, a magisterial court convicted Yadav and sentenced him to six months’ imprisonment. A sessions court upheld the conviction in 2019.
Read all about the case here.
In June 2024, Nawazuddin reflected on his decades-long friendship with Rajpal Yadav, recalling that the two trained together at Bharatendu Natya Academy (BNA) in Lucknow and later at the National School of Drama (NSD) in New Delhi. Emphasising their formal grounding in the craft, he said they underwent five years of rigorous acting training. “Academically speaking, Rajpal and I are among the most educated actors in this industry,” Nawazuddin remarked with a laugh. “We may not look it, but we probably are.”
He also spoke about Rajpal’s generosity during the early years of his success. According to Nawazuddin, when Rajpal began receiving substantial work, he opened his home to fellow strugglers without hesitation. “Many people would eat at his place, and he never once complained,” he said. “Not just me – for several actors going through tough times, his house felt like a langar. Anyone could walk in and share a meal.” Despite his comic persona, Nawazuddin added, Rajpal is deeply sensitive and compassionate in real life.
Rajpal Yadav’s longtime friend, actor Padam Singh, told NDTV, “He made Ata Pata Laapata with very forward-thinking and with great sincerity. He directed it himself, and most people in the film industry worked on it enthusiastically. Secondly, the investment that came in for the film at that time kept increasing with interest. He is a very mentally strong person and has the strength to face any situation. He has the blessings of Gurudev.”
Singer Mika Singh offered both financial and moral support during what he described as a difficult phase for Rajpal Yadav. In a video message, he pledged support of ₹11 lakh. “I have one humble request please don’t just post announcements. Let’s make sure we actually contribute and make it happen,” Mika wrote in his post.
Taking to his Instagram story, Guru Randhawa penned a note and also confirmed transferring an advance for work in an upcoming video. “Lets all Help our senior actor @rajpalofficial sir. Will be transferring him advance amount as feature in one of my upcoming videos. Sonu sood paji following what you started. Lets all help and get him home safe. Waheguru @sonu_sood,” he wrote.
Rajpal made an emotional statement moments before surrendering to the authorities. Breaking down while addressing the situation, he was quoted by News X as saying, “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. (Sir, what should I do? I don’t have the money. I see no other way… Sir, here we are all alone.)”
Goldie Jain, Rajpal Yadav’s manager of 25 years, told PTI, “People have taken the initiative to help. They all have promised to help, it doesn’t mean financially only. It’s true that (Salman, Ajay, Varun and David Dhawan) these people have called. In what capacity and how they will help, that is yet to be known. They are all well-wishers of Rajpal bhai.”
Sonu Sood, Mika Singh, and KRK extended monetary support to Rajpal Yadav. The actor’s manager has revealed that other stars like Salman Khan, Ajay Devgn, Varun Dhawan, and David Dhawan have also offered support.
Talking to news agency PTI, Rajpal’s wife Radha Yadav said, “Everybody has stood by him. The industry has been supportive, a big thank you to everyone who is coming out to help.”
The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) has appealed to “all producers, directors, artists, technicians, associations, and well-wishers to extend their moral and financial support to help Shri Rajpal Yadav resolve his liabilities and regain his freedom, dignity, and peace of mind.”
As Rajpal Yadav was sent to Tihar Jail earlier this week, Sonu Sood said he would help the actor financially. Taking to social media, the actor-producer 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. 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.”
Rajpal Yadav borrowed ₹5 crore from Delhi-based Murali Projects Pvt Ltd in 2010 for his directorial debut Ata Pata Laapata. But he failed to repay the amount after the film flopped. By 2024, the amount had increased to ₹9 crore and several of Rajpal’s cheques bounced. A magistrate court convicted him and his wife in 2018, which was upheld by another court in 2019. Rajpal appealed in the Delhi High Court.