Amid actor Rajpal Yadav’s evolving decade-old moment of admiration between the legend and actor Rajpal Yadav has resurfaced.
At the music launch of Rajpal Yadav’s film Ata Pata Laapata in 2012, veteran actor Amitabh Bachchan made a special appearance. Speaking at the event, he said, he felt very honoured that Rajpal has invited him and he has had the good fortune of working with him in the past.
He also acknowledged the struggles Rajpal faced all through his journey in the film industry and lauded his dedication to his craft.
Rajpal Yadav’s legal troubles cropped up in 2010, when he borrowed around
whopping ₹ 5 crore from M/s Murali Projects Pvt Ltd to fund his directorial debut, Ata Pata Laapata. The film proved a debacle at the box office, resulting in heavy financial losses and limited returns.
Insolvent to repay the loan, Rajpal encountered mounting interest, penalties, and delayed payments, which eventually pushed the outstanding amount to nearly ₹ 9 crore. In a bid to clear the dues, he issued several cheques to the lender. These cheques later got dishonoured, leading to criminal proceedings under the Negotiable Instruments Act.
In April 2018, a magisterial court convicted Rajpal Yadav and his wife in multiple cheque bounce cases and sentenced him to six months in prison. The verdict was upheld by a sessions court in 2019, following which the matter reached the Delhi High Court.
Over the years, he was granted several extensions to repay the amount in instalments. While he made partial payments and offered repeated assurances, the court observed that he consistently failed to follow the agreed timelines.
The court noted that he was required to pay
₹ 1.35 crore in each of the seven cases against him and directed that the amount deposited with the Registrar General be released to the complainant. In October 2025, two demand drafts of ₹75 lakh were submitted, but nearly ₹9 crore remained outstanding
In June 2024, the High Court temporarily suspended his conviction on the condition that he make sincere efforts to reach an amicable settlement. These efforts were later found to be ineffective.
On February 2, 2026, the Delhi High Court directed Rajpal Yadav to surrender before jail authorities by 4 pm on February 4, observing that his repeated breaches of undertakings deserved strong criticism.
On February 5, 2026, Rajpal Yadav appeared in person before the court. His counsel informed the judge that he was ready to submit a demand draft of Rs 25 lakh and follow a fresh payment schedule. Despite the offer, the court declined to reconsider its order, stressing that compassion must be balanced with discipline and that no special treatment could be given based on professional background.
Later the same day, Rajpal Yadav surrendered at Tihar Jail and began serving his six-month sentence.
News Edit KV Raman
