Filmmaker Priyadarshan wants to save Rajpal Yadav and has even promised to pay the actor a higher fee in his next film to help him through his current legal crisis. Rajpal Yadav is serving a six-month sentence in a 2010 cheque bounce case.
At the time he had borrowed Rs 5 crore to produce his directorial debut, Ata Pata Laapata.
The film was a failure at the box office, and over the last 15 years, the debt reportedly grew to nearly Rs 9 crore due to interest and penalties. After missing several court-ordered deadlines to pay back the money, the actor surrendered at Tihar Jail on February 5, 2026, to serve a six-month sentence.
Priyadarshan’s response to the crisis
Priyadarshan, who has worked with the actor in classics like Hera Pheri and Bhool Bhulaiyaa, has been very open about his support. In a conversation with Mid-Day, the director revealed that Yadav was misguided by others and made a “blunder because of his poor education.” To help him get back on his feet, Priyadarshan stated that he has already taken steps to increase the actor’s income. He said:
“I have known him for more than 20 years. I saw him for the first time in Jungle and was surprised by his performance. My first film with him was Malamaal Weekly, and after that, he has starred in most of my films.
I told the producers (Jubilee Films) of my next film to pay Rajpal more than what he charges because of his situation. We want to save him. The producers have agreed. Rajpal plays the villain in my movie.” Adding that he had even pushed him previously in ad films because he knew about the financial problems.
“Sir, kya karoon? Mere paas paise nahin hain”
The actor’s surrender followed a final rejection of his plea for more time by the Delhi High Court. Moments before he was taken into custody, Yadav broke down in a vulnerable state that was far removed from his famous comic persona. According to News X, the actor’s exact words were:
“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.”
A united front from the film fraternity
Despite the actor’s initial feeling that he was alone, many people in the industry have stepped up to help. According to The Times of India, stars like Salman Khan, Ajay Devgn, David Dhawan and Gurmeet Choudhary have reportedly extended financial assistance to help clear the outstanding debt. Sonu Sood also shared on social media that he has offered Yadav a role in an upcoming film with an advance signing amount, explaining that “it’s not charity, it’s dignity.”
Other significant support has come from outside the acting world as well. Mika Singh pledged Rs 11 lakh to help the family as did politician Tej Pratap Yadav, while music producer Rao Inderjeet Singh gave him direct financial assistance in the form of Rs 1.11 crore. With a bail hearing scheduled for February 16, the industry is hopeful that these collective efforts will help the actor settle his debts and return to work soon.