Rajpal Yadav: For a workaholic like me, I need time more than sympathy

After spending 12 days in Tihar Jail, Rajpal Yadav was granted interim bail by the Delhi High Court on February 16, 2026, until March 18. The relief came after he deposited ₹1.5 crore in the complainant’s bank account and furnished the required bonds and security, as directed by the court.

The actor surrendered before authorities on February 5 after the High Court ordered him to serve a six-month sentence in connection with a ₹9 crore cheque bounce and debt case.

The dispute dates back to 2010, when Rajpal took a loan to finance his directorial venture Ata Pata Laapata. The loan led to bounced cheques and prolonged proceedings under the Negotiable Instruments Act, culminating in the recent custodial order.

His lawyer, Bhaskar Upadhyay, told us, “It was very difficult initially to deal with the situation due to several failures in commitments, and the court was not inclined to grant any relief. However, by the grace of God and with the love and support of Rajpal ji’s well-wishers, we were eventually able to honour the previous commitments given before the court. The court understood that Rajpal ji’s intention was not wrong; only his circumstances were unfavourable. He genuinely did not have the funds at the time when the court sent him to jail. We hope the court will at least listen to our submissions so that Rajpal ji can present his side of the facts and explain why the complainant did not choose to take the security in 2018, as per the consent decree, to clear his debts, and instead chose to send him to jail. How many times will Rajpal ji have to go to jail for the same issue?”

Many Bollywood celebrities and countless fans came out in strong support of him. Expressing his gratitude while on his way to Shahjahanpur to attend his niece’s wedding, Rajpal said, “Thank you so much to everyone who prayed for me. For the past 25 years, Hindi cinema has treated me like a cherished child in its lap, which has allowed me to do 250 films. During this incident, whether through social media or in any other way, whoever blessed me, prayed for me, or helped me, I thank everyone from the bottom of my heart. I also want to say that I have received everyone’s sahanbhooti for the past 25 years, but mujhe thoda samay dijiye. For a workaholic like me, I need time more than sympathy.”

Reflecting on his release and the events that unfolded during his absence, he said, “I have just been released today, and I need a few days to fully understand what happened while I was away. I will address everyone properly once I have gathered my thoughts. I have not yet received my mobile phone, but I was confident that Indian cinema and people everywhere love me and would stand by me. This is my unshakable belief. I never said I would not repay the money. However, I prefer not to comment further, as I do not want to risk dishonouring the court.”

Speaking further about the episode, he said, “Aagey koshish karunga ki galti hai toh maum se bhi zyada pighal jaaun and chhota ho jaaun. Aur agar sachhai hai toh lohe se bhi zyada mazboot ho jaaun.”


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