After Bollywood actor Rajpal Yadav was incarcerated in Tihar Jail due to a ₹9 crore debt and cheque bounce case, an old video of Nawazuddin Siddiqui reappeared online. In the video, Nawazuddin shared how Rajpal's home served as a community kitchen for struggling actors. Now, following the actor's interim bail granted last week, he has responded to Nawazuddin's remarks.
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Rajpal Yadav responds to Nawazuddin Siddiqui's comment
In an interview with UP Tak, Rajpal was questioned about Nawazuddin referring to his home as a langar for struggling actors. He responded, "That's his generosity. There were 10-15 of us from various states, and it didn't matter who got the work. What was important was that we all worked together from Mandi House onwards. It wasn't about who would get the next job. If food satisfies one person's hunger, it won't satisfy everyone's — and if it doesn't, then everyone has to remain hungry."
He mentioned, "Perhaps due to their blessings, I became a conduit and secured work. I don't think there are just 10 or 15 like me — there are millions of Rajpals in these streets. People believe that if they are given a platform, they could achieve great things."
What Nawazuddin Siddiqui mentioned
In June 2024, during an interview with Lallantop, Nawazuddin discussed his long-standing friendship with Rajpal. He shared that they both attended Bharatendu Natya Academy (BNA) in Lucknow and the National School of Drama (NSD) in New Delhi together.
Nawazuddin also shared that when Rajpal started receiving better roles, he kept assisting actors who were having a hard time. He mentioned, “Many people would dine at his place once Rajpal started getting good work, and he never objected. He was always there to help others. It wasn't just me; when numerous actors were facing difficulties, his home was like a communal kitchen. Anyone could come and have a meal there. He jokes frequently, but in truth, he is a very compassionate person.”
Regarding Rajpal Yadav's ₹9 crore debt situation
The situation started when Rajpal allegedly borrowed approximately ₹5 crore in 2010 from a Delhi lender, M/s Murali Projects Pvt Ltd, to finance his film Ata Pata Laapata. Following the film's failure, he faced difficulties in repaying the loan, and with added interest and penalties, the debt reportedly increased to nearly ₹9 crore. Multiple post-dated cheques he issued were dishonored, resulting in an extended legal dispute.
In early February 2026, the Delhi High Court reprimanded Yadav for consistently neglecting to comply with court-mandated repayments and instructed him to turn himself in to the authorities. He later surrendered at Tihar Jail related to the cheque bounce case. On 16 February 2026, the Delhi High Court provided him with interim bail until the subsequent hearing on 18 March 2026 after he deposited approximately ₹1.5 crore.