Those who grew up watching Bollywood films in mid 2000s would remember actor Rajpal Yadav as someone whose presence on screen meant unending doses of laughter. But the actor who once brought smiles to our faces, with his work in films like Hulchul, Phir Hera Pheri, Bhagam Bhag, Chup Chup Ke and Bhool Bhulayain, is in trouble over financial woes. Yadav, last week surrendered at Delhi’s Tihar Jail following a court order in a cheque bounce case.

His surrender came after the Delhi High Court rejected his final plea for more time to arrange funds, bringing an end to a long-running legal battle linked to his 2010 directorial venture Ata Pata Laapata.

Now several celebrities and even politicians have come forward to extend help to Yadav, who, according to a recent report, made an emotional statement moments before surrendering to the authorities.

Breaking down while addressing the situation, he was quoted by News X as saying, “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. (Sir, what should I do? I don’t have the money. I see no other way… Sir, here we are all alone.)”

In April 2018, a Magistrate’s Court convicted Yadav and his wife under Section 138 of the Act and sentenced them to six months’ imprisonment. While Yadav challenged the verdict and sought relief through multiple appeals, the case continued for years, during which the outstanding amount reportedly rose to nearly ₹9 crore.

Over time, the actor repaid portions of the dues, including ₹75 lakh in 2025. However, repeated delays and failure to meet court-imposed deadlines led the judiciary to question his intent, with observations noting a “lack of seriousness” in resolving the matter. On February 4, 2026, Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma rejected Yadav’s final plea seeking a one-week extension to arrange funds. The court stated that repeated leniency could not be extended, regardless of an individual’s public profile, and directed the actor to surrender without further delay.

Before his surrender, Yadav told the Bollywood Hungama that he did not have money or any other means to pay the outstanding amount. When asked whether he had sought help from his colleagues, the actor said, “Everyone is on their own” in the industry.

Tej Pratap Yadav, Jan Shakti Janata Dal president and the elder son of politician Lalu Yadav, announced the financial assistance of ₹11 lakh to Yadav and his family.

“I just received information about the pain of the family of the honorable Rajpal Yadav ji through the post of my elder brother Rao Inderjeet Yadav ji. In this extremely difficult time, I and my entire JJD (Jan Shakti Janata Dal) family stand in complete empathy and solidarity with their grieving family,” Tej Pratap said in a post on X.

Actor Sonu Sood also stepped in to help and offered Yadav a film along with a “small signing amount”. He has stressed that the move is not charity, but a gesture of professional support.

Sonu took to X, formerly known as Twitter, and Instagram Stories, to offer him a film, and a signing amount to assist him financially. He also appealed to members of the film industry to step forward and stand by Rajpal so that he knows that he is not alone in this difficult time.

“Rajpal Yadav is a gifted actor who has given years of unforgettable work to our industry. Sometimes life turns unfair, not because of talent, but because timing can be brutal. He will be part of my film, and I believe this is the moment for all of us..producers, directors, colleagues to stand together. A small signing amount, adjustable against future work, is not charity, it’s dignity,” Sood wrote.

Actor Gurmeet Chaudhary, best known for his portrayal of Ram in a TV show, said he was heartbroken to see a senior and “immensely talented artist” like Rajpal Yadav to go through such a painful phase.

“He has given us countless smiles, laughter, and unforgettable moments. Today, he needs us. As a fellow actor and as a human being, I am stepping forward to help in whatever way I can. I humbly request all producers, directors, and members of our film fraternity-let’s come together, with compassion and humanity, and find a solution.

Our industry is a family. And family does not abandon its own,” Choudhary wrote on X.

The Delhi High Court, in its recent judgement, noted that Yadav was required to make payments of ₹1.35 crore in each of the seven cases against him and directed that the amount already deposited with the registrar general of the high court be released in favour of the complainant.