Bollywood Rallies Behind Rajpal Yadav as He Enters Tihar Jail
Rajpal Yadav walked into Tihar Jail on February 5, but he didn’t walk alone. The 53-year-old actor, known for making millions laugh with his impeccable comic timing, surrendered in a decade-old ₹9 crore cheque-bounce case. What happened next shows Bollywood at its finest.
Within hours of his surrender, the industry rallied. Sonu Sood led the charge, announcing he’d cast Rajpal in his upcoming film with an advance signing amount. Guru Randhawa followed suit. Music producer Rao Inderjeet Singh Yadav pledged ₹1.1 crore. The message was clear: Rajpal wouldn’t face this alone.
When Cinema’s Funnyman Hit Rock Bottom
The crisis stems from 2010, when Rajpal borrowed ₹5 crore to direct Ata Pata Laapata. The film bombed. Debts piled up, reaching ₹9 crore with penalties and interest. Multiple cheques bounced, triggering criminal proceedings that chased him for over a decade.
Before surrendering, Rajpal opened up about his financial nightmare. He had nowhere to turn, no safety net left. That confession struck a chord across the industry.
Sonu Sood’s Dignified Response Changes Everything
Taking to X on Tuesday, Sonu Sood didn’t just offer sympathy. He offered work.
“Rajpal Yadav is a gifted actor who has given years of unforgettable work to our industry,” Sonu wrote. “Sometimes life turns unfair, not because of talent, but because timing can be brutal.”
Sonu’s approach was deliberate. He framed the signing amount as “not charity, it’s dignity.” That distinction matters. Rajpal wouldn’t be receiving handouts—he’d be earning through future work.
The post ignited a domino effect.
Music Videos, Cash Pledges, and Political Aid Pour In
Guru Randhawa announced Rajpal would feature in his upcoming music video, transferring an advance immediately. “Let’s all help our senior actor,” he posted on Instagram, crediting Sonu for the inspiration.
Rao Inderjeet Singh Yadav of GemTunes Music went big with ₹1.1 crore. Speaking to IANS, he said, “Our industry is a family, and families hold each other when it matters most.”
Kamaal Rashid Khan (KRK) promised ₹10 lakh and urged the film fraternity to collectively raise ₹5 crore. Tej Pratap Yadav, son of Lalu Yadav, announced ₹11 lakh for Rajpal’s family. Actor Gurmeet Choudhary pledged help “in whatever way I can.”
The Delhi High Court Refused to Budge
Despite the outpouring of support, legal reality remained harsh. On February 4, the Delhi High Court ordered Rajpal to surrender, citing repeated breaches of previous undertakings. His offer to pay ₹25 lakh upfront was rejected.
The court’s order was firm: six months at Tihar Jail.
Bhoot Bangla Awaits, But So Does Reality
Rajpal will serve his sentence while his colleagues work to ease the financial burden that landed him there. His next film, Bhoot Bangla with Akshay Kumar, releases April 10. Whether he’ll be out for promotions remains uncertain.
But one thing is certain. When Bollywood decides to show up for its own, it shows up loud. Rajpal gave the industry decades of laughter. Now, the industry is trying to give him something back: hope, work, and a way forward.
The comedian who made everyone smile finally has reasons to smile himself, even from behind bars.
