Actor Rajpal Yadav has addressed the long-standing perception around his legal case, clarifying that his imprisonment was not simply due to an inability to repay a Rs 5 crore loan.
The case dates back to 2010, when Yadav borrowed Rs 5 crore from Murali Projects Pvt Ltd to finance his directorial debut Ata Pata Laapata (2012). After the film failed at the box office, the loan remained unpaid, leading to legal proceedings. In 2018, a magistrate’s court convicted him under the Negotiable Instruments Act and sentenced him to six months in jail. The decision was upheld by a sessions court in 2019, by which time the dues had reportedly increased to nearly Rs 9 crore.
Earlier this year, the actor surrendered and was sent to Tihar Jail after failing to clear the dues. He was later granted interim bail on February 16 after depositing Rs 1.5 crore. The Delhi High Court subsequently clarified that he would not be taken back into custody even after the interim order was vacated.
Speaking during a recent podcast appearance, Yadav pushed back against the widely held belief about his case. He stated that the issue was more complex and rooted in larger circumstances rather than just a financial shortfall. According to him, if the matter had only been about Rs 5 crore, it would have been resolved much earlier.
He further claimed that the dispute escalated over time, leading to significantly higher financial losses, which he estimated to be between Rs 17 crore and Rs 22 crore. Reflecting on the challenges during the making of Ata Pata Laapata, he said a substantial portion of the film had already been completed, with around Rs 12 crore spent before complications arose, eventually turning it into a much bigger project.
Addressing allegations of fraud, Yadav emphasised that failure at the box office should not be equated with wrongdoing. He pointed out that not every film succeeds and that financial losses are a common reality in the industry.
The actor also expressed faith in the judicial process, stating that while he did not initiate the legal battle, he believes it will ultimately conclude in a fair manner.
Rajpal Yadav is currently seen in Bhooth Bangla, which released in theatres on April 16.