Actor Sonu Sood on Tuesday announced support for comedian-actor Rajpal Yadav, offering him a role and a signing amount after Yadav was sent to Tihar jail in connection with multiple cheque-bounce cases.
Yadav surrendered before jail authorities after the Delhi High Court rejected his plea seeking more time to clear outstanding dues in a long-pending financial dispute.
The court noted that he is required to pay nearly Rs. 9 crore, directing that payments of Rs. 1.35 crore be made in each of the seven cases against him, along with the release of amounts already deposited with the registrar general in favour of the complainant.
Responding to the development, Sood appealed to filmmakers and industry colleagues to collectively support the actor during his financial crisis.
In a post on X, he announced that Yadav would be part of his upcoming project and urged others to extend help through signing amounts adjustable against future work.
“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,” Sood wrote, adding that support in such moments is about “dignity, not charity”.
ALSO READ: Multi-state earthquake preparedness drill boosts coordination in Northeast
Yadav, a National School of Drama graduate, is known for his performances in popular films such as Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, Waqt, Phir Hera Pheri, Partner, Bhool Bhulaiyaa, Hungama, Chup Chup Ke and Chup Chup Ke.
His financial troubles stem from a Rs. 5 crore loan taken in 2010 from M/s Murali Projects Pvt Ltd for his directorial debut Ata Pata Laapata, which failed at the box office.
Before surrendering, Yadav had told Bollywood Hungama that he had no means to repay the outstanding amount and said he had not received support from industry colleagues, remarking that “everyone is on their own” in the film industry.
Sood’s intervention drew widespread support from fans on social media, with many praising the actor for standing by his colleague and calling for greater solidarity within the film industry.
