Actor Rajpal Yadav has addressed public perception surrounding the legal case that led to his imprisonment in connection with a cheque bounce matter, stating that the issue was not simply about his inability to repay a Rs 5 crores loan.
The controversy dates back to 2010, when the actor borrowed Rs 5 crores from Murali Projects Pvt Ltd to finance his directorial debut Ata Pata Laapata (2012). The film underperformed at the box office, and the loan remained unpaid, eventually leading to legal proceedings. In 2018, a magistrate’s court convicted Yadav under the Negotiable Instruments Act and sentenced him to six months in jail. The order was upheld by a sessions court in 2019, with the amount rising to nearly Rs 9 crores over time.
Earlier this year, after failing to clear the dues, the actor surrendered and was sent to Tihar Jail. He was later granted interim bail on February 16 after depositing Rs 1.5 crore, and the Delhi High Court subsequently clarified that he would not be taken back into custody even after the earlier interim order was vacated.
Speaking about the matter during a recent appearance on Shubhankar Mishra’s podcast, Yadav said the common assumption that he went to jail because he could not repay Rs 5 crores was incorrect.
“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 said.
He added that if the matter had only involved Rs 5 crores, it would have been resolved much earlier. “Ye Rs 5 crores ka masla hota to 2012 me nipat ta. Iss Rs 5 crores ne Rs 17 crores ko dubane ka kaam kiya hai,” he said, suggesting that the dispute eventually resulted in losses ranging between Rs 17 and Rs 22 crores.
The actor also spoke about the production challenges surrounding Ata Pata Laapata, noting that a significant portion of the film had already been completed before complications arose.
“Rs 12 crores had already been spent... it became a Rs 22 crores project… If even enemies are involved in a project, they should let it release. The audience should decide,” he said.
Responding to allegations of fraud in connection with the case, Yadav said that box office failure should not be equated with wrongdoing. “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 said.
He also expressed confidence in the judicial process while reflecting on the ongoing legal battle. “This fight was not started by me, but it will end because of me,” he added.
Rajpal Yadav is currently seen in Bhooth Bangla, which was released in theaters on April 16.
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