Ahead of their upcoming ensemble comedy, Welcome To The Jungle, Akshay Kumar and Disha Patani were on the Bombay Times Lounge for a candid conversation packed with laughs, revelations and behind-the-scenes stories from the film. Akshay’s comic timing was as effortless off screen as it is on screen, while Disha brought honesty, warmth and quiet charm to the chat. The promo is out now, and the full episode will drop soon on the Bombay Times YouTube channel. Until then, here’s a sneak peek from the conversation.

I actually do very few films, and I think you should enjoy what you do. One film shouldn’t define your entire journey. If you’re unhappy for six months or a year while making a film, then that one release day won’t mean much. The quality of your time while working matters more than quantity

— Disha on choosing happiness over chasing quantity of work

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I don’t actively post on social media, but I do keep an eye on what’s happening. Things are changing very fast these days. Even Gen Z language has changed. When I talk to my daughter (Nitara), she speaks in an entirely different language. Most of the time, I need her to explain what she’s saying, as they use so many words and phrases which are new to me

— Akshay on keeping up with Gen Z in a rapidly changing world

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Aisa koi din nahi gaya jab maine ugta hua suraj nahi dekha. Even if I have to work till late, I am up at sunrise every day of my life. Yes, I have cheat days when it comes to food, but when it comes to my mornings, that doesn’t change

— Akshay on discipline being a huge part of identity

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The funniest person I’ve met in the industry both on and off camera, was Mehmood saab. I was lucky to get a chance to work with him, though by then he was quite old. The other person who is genuinely hilarious is Johny Lever. And then there’s Asrani saab who has a unique sense of humour. Now, I am seeing Rajpal Yadav in that category

— Akshay on comedy legends who have inspired him

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A lot of what you will see in Welcome To The Jungle was created on the spot. Some of the dialogues were not in the script, they happened spontaneously. You can’t be stuck to the script all the time. Lakeer ke fakeer nahi reh sakte. In such films, you have to let the actors move and say dialogues the way they want. One person says something, another responds, and it keeps building. Comedy moves very fast. If you do it in bits and pieces, it doesn’t work. Comedy has a certain rhythm, it should not slow down

— Akshay on why comedy works best when actors are allowed to improvise

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Being okay with being around people I don’t know. I’m an introvert, so I get very nervous at times.

I think I have become worse (laughs).

Yes, because it’s just one lens looking at you instead of people’s eyes.

It was a regular evening for movie buffs in the Capital — until it wasn’t. The cast of Bhooth Bangla, which is set to release this week, starring Akshay Kumar, Wamiqa Gabbi, and Rajpal Yadav, turned the latest session of Stars in the City into a truly memorable affair as they dropped by HT City’s office in Delhi to promote their upcoming film.

In conversation with Sonal Kalra, Chief Managing Editor, Lifestyle & Entertainment at Hindustan Times, the trio kept things lively with candid conversations, witty banter, and entertaining anecdotes that had the audience thoroughly involved.

Akshay: He has a great past. Priyadarshan has done almost 98 films and world mein aisa koi aadmi nahi jisne itni films banayi hai and out of that 87 are hit. Agar ek word unke liye aata hai, woj hai ‘genius’. I have seen him work. Actually puri kahaani wo batate hain but jo actual kahaani hoti hai, wo unke dimag mein hai. He is an editor by nature and he edits his film’s so far and so beautifully.

Rajpal: I once saw myself drowning when I was a 6-7 years old. I was saved by someone and I thought I am almost gone. I say I have been given life twice, once by my mother and once by Ganga maiyaa. Just like that main uljha pacchaso baar, dooba kabhi bhi nahi because of you guys (fans).

Wamiqa: There was only excitement. I was very lucky. Yej film mere paas aane se kuch mahine pehle maine saari films (of Akshay and Priyadarshan) binge watch ki thi starting from Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007) and De Dana Dan (2009). I called my management and asked, ‘Why are Akshay sir and Priyadarshan sir not working together?’. I love these films, I laughed so hard. They told me ‘no they are coming together after some 14 years for a new film and abhi casting shuru hui hai’. Right after sometime, I got to know that Balaji Films (production house) se call aaya hai and wo narrate karna chah rahe hain ye film. I got called and it was such an overwhelming experience and I was like, well talk about manifestation!”

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"My son shared recently that after watching Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007), he was scared of (actor) Vidya Balan for six years!"

- Akshay Kumar

When Akshay Kumar and Rajpal Yadav first shared screen space in David Dhawan’s Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2003), little did they know that they would go on to work together in many popular comedies. The upcoming episode of Wheel Of Fortune India, which is hosted by Kumar, served as a platform for the duo to reminisce about their on-screen chemistry and off-screen friendship.

On February 27, the superstar shot the episode with his Bhooth Bangla producer Ektaa R Kapoor, co-actors Yadav and Wamiqa Gabbi. According to sources, Kumar introduced Yadav as the undisputed comedy king of the Hindi film industry.

A source revealed, “Akshay delivered a touching tribute to his co-star. On the show, he attributed his comic timing to Rajpal. Akshay told the audience, ‘Sach bolu toh, inki badolat se meri comedy chalti hai’.”

Yadav returned the compliment by admiring the superstar’s love for fitness as he said, “I’ve known him for so many years. Inki fitness kamaal ki hai, aur khaane mein bhi inka bohot achchha control hai.”

It took Ektaa R Kapoor’s intervention to reunite filmmaker Priyadarshan and Akshay Kumar after 16 years. Despite collaborating on six films earlier, the duo hadn’t worked together since Khatta Meetha (2010). That changed when Kapoor approached them with the script of Bhooth Bangla, which releases next month. The script “excited both of us”, shares Priyadarshan, adding that the actor had suggested Kapoor approach him to direct the project.

Priyadarshan says he took the story from the writer but developed his “own screenplay”. Bhooth Bangla draws heavily from “Indian folklore and mythology like the English werewolf. Soul-switching, controlling souls, and black magic is the core of the film. [The idea] — tele-transportation, where one soul inhabits the body of another human [is significant] even in the Bible and Indian philosophy. It is funny because I am a psychology student and I don’t believe in ghosts,” laughs the director. He adds that the film unfolds from the perspective of a non-believer who suddenly encounters a soul.

Unfazed by comparisons with the Bhool Bhulaiyaa franchise, Priyadarshan insists that the Kumar, Wamiqa Gabbi, and Tabu-starrer is “being made on a grander scale.” He adds, “People will smile and then the eeriness will creep in. The climax is one of the biggest ends ever shot on a huge canvas.”

The director reveals that Tabu — with whom this horror-comedy marks his fifth collaboration — “looks as beautiful in it as she did in Virasat [1997]. Without Tabu’s character, there’s no logic in the story.” He recalls that the actor was equally excited to reunite and work with him again.

However, it is Rajpal Yadav’s comic timing that the filmmaker cannot stop praising. “He is hilarious in the film and a character you will remember,” he notes, adding that while he has no plans to turn Bhooth Bangla into a franchise, “Maybe, Ektaa can take it forward.”

As the comedy classic Malamaal Weekly completed 20 years since its release, actor Rajpal Yadav marked the milestone on March 10 by sharing a video compilation of his comic moments from the film on social media. Along with the clip, he wrote, “Yakeen nahi ho raha ki 20 saal ho gaye! Bajey ko aur film ko itna pyar dene ke liye aap sabka dil se shukriya.”

Looking back, the actor describes the film as one of the most memorable experiences of his career. He shares, “Malamaal Weekly hamare jeevan ki ek bahut yaadgaar film hai. We shot the film in Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu, and the whole experience there was wonderful. Wahaan jogging, shooting, shirting, sab hoti thi (laughs!). My character was offbeat and humorous, and the film carried elements of black comedy as well as a comedy of errors. Through this role, I could explore many dimensions of performance. Since I am also a common man and represent the common man, I feel a natural connection with such roles. I’m very happy that even after 20 years, MW continues to hold its place.”

He also recalls how his distinctive look in the film came about. He says, “During Malamaal Weekly, my hair had grown quite long, but Priyan ji didn’t want that look. Toh Chennai ke jo makeup dada the, maine unka get-up dekha aur ussi se inspire hoke ek look bana kar Priyan ji ke paas gaya. He approved it, so my hair was saved from being cut. The look eventually turned out quite different. Mentally bhi woh character kaafi alag tha, isliye woh experience mere liye bohot yaadgaar raha.”

One particular scene still stands out for the laughter it created on set. He shares, “There is a scene where Riteish Deshmukh and I get into an argument, after which I go to my sister and say I want to get married. She asks, ‘Kisse?’ and I say, ‘Ladki se.’ Then she asks, ‘Pyaar kab hua?’ and I reply, ‘Abhi aadha ghanta pehle.’ ‘Aadha ghanta pehle’ wali line par sabko hassi aa gayi thi, and the whole set had a very lively atmosphere.”

Working with director Priyadarshan has always been a learning experience for him. He says, “Priyan ji khud bhi ek actor hain, isliye woh har actor ki capability ko bahut achhi tarah samajhte hain aur timing ko bhi bahut clearly explain karte hain. Chahe role chhota ho ya bada, he makes sure it is properly shaped on screen, because har moment ek learning moment ban jaata hai. Hamari association kaafi purani hai. It started with Hungama and continues even today. Woh alag-alag situations create karke actors ko surprise bhi karte hain, aur humein bhi honesty ke saath dhamaal karne ka mauka milta hai.”

On the film’s timeless appeal, he says, “Some films like Malamaal Weekly, Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro, or Angoor are special. Inse achhi ya alag filmein ban sakti hain, lekin waisi filmein dobara nahi ban sakti. They are as enjoyable to watch as they are to be a part of.”

Days before the Delhi High Court granted actor Rajpal Yadav 30 days of interim bail in a ₹9 crore cheque bounce case, filmmaker Priyadarshan had said in an interview that the actor’s financial troubles stemmed from “poor education”. The director has now clarified that the remark was not meant as an insult, adding he was referring to a lack of awareness, not formal schooling.

“Actually, I didn’t mean that. Education is something we learn from the street and from books too. Now, I just meant that (street smartness), maybe because education is also awareness, ” the filmmaker tells us. His clarification comes after Rajpal, who was recently asked to surrender in the cheque bounce case and later released, called the comment “completely wrong”, adding, “Priyan ji doesn’t know me. I am a well-educated guy.”

Priyadarshan maintains that the remark was never intended to demean the actor. “I didn’t mean to insult him or anything. So I said that because I’ve never seen such an innocent person in my life like Rajpal… innocence comes out of lack of education in the broader sense,” he explains, adding that the actor’s village background may also shape that simplicity.

The director-actor duo first collaborated on the film Malamaal Weekly (2006) which marked 20 years on March 10. They are currently awaiting the release of the horror-comedy film Bhooth Bangla, also starring actor Akshay Kumar.

The 69-year-old expresses confidence that Rajpal will bounce back strongly. “After Bhooth Bangla releases, I believe Rajpal will spring back as one of the biggest stars of comedy… because he’s done a fantastic job for me in this film.”

Days after securing interim bail in a Rs. 9 crore loan case, actor-comedian Rajpal Yadav addressed the media in Mumbai on Saturday. He arrived with his lawyer, Bhaskar Upadhyay, and spoke about the scale of his upcoming work: “Over the next seven years, I have branding projects valued at Rs. 1,200 crore. I’ve secured four agreements, which don’t include films. Some of these projects are worth Rs. 200 crore, while others go up to Rs. 2,000 crore. The income is a mix of fees and equity. I also have 10 films lined up.”

Addressing the ongoing legal dispute, Rajpal described the agreement as a “ghar ka maamla” (a personal matter) based on trust.

“When the deal happened, Bhaskar ji wasn’t in the picture. I have worked in over 250 films. If I look back, every contract will have some loophole. I never imagined this would reach court. This fight is an ego clash. The person wants me to fall at his feet in return for Rs. 5 crore. If it was about money, I have been ready to pay since 2013,” he said. The actor admitted he “signed documents without reading” them.

The dispute dates back to 2010, when Rajpal took a Rs. 5 crore loan from Delhi-based Murali Projects Pvt Ltd to finance his directorial debut Ata Pata Laapata (2012). After the film failed, repayment issues followed. In April 2018, a Magisterial Court convicted Rajpal and his wife Radha under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act after seven cheques bounced. He was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment, a conviction later upheld by a Sessions Court in 2019.

In October 2025, the court noted that while Rajpal had deposited Rs. 75 lakh, most of the liability remained unpaid. He surrendered at Tihar Jail on February 5 after the Delhi High Court declined further relief in the long-pending cheque bounce case. He has since been granted interim bail till March 18.

Rajpal Yadav has commenced shooting for Welcome To The Jungle, marking his return to work, days after he walked out of Tihar Jail on bail in connection with a cheque bounce case. Shortly after his release, Yadav had shared a message on social media, thanking fans and well-wishers for their support.

When we reached out to him, Yadav told us, “Everyone has given me a lot of love. It feels great to be back on set. The cast members of Welcome To The Jungle, welcomed me back with great excitement and affection. Fortunately, there were no continuity issues and I look forward to working with everyone.”

When asked how does it feel to be back on the set after such a time, and he quipped, "It was merely 13 days. People take longer breaks than 13 days." He also added, "It was only normal for everyone to hug me once I returned on the set. And what better way to get a welcome back than working on Welcome To The Jungle."

Welcome to the Jungle, directed by Ahmed Khan, features an ensemble cast of over 30 actors, including Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, Jackie Shroff, Raveena Tandon, Disha Patani, Jacqueline Fernandez, Arshad Warsi, Paresh Rawal and Johny Lever.

In an earlier interview with us, Rajpal spoke about his days in the jail. He said, When asked about his days in jail, Yadav turns reflective rather than descriptive.

"For me every day is a new beginning a new learning day, and a working day. Tihar jail is the mother of all jail. A lot of visionaries have been in that jail, as an actor, I just ensured I observed. I do think a few people inside do deserve another chance at life. I saw such energy inside everyone. I was eating the same food, that was made for everyone. I didn’t even demand for one extra roti. I wanted to experience everything from cleaning sweeping to everything. I just want the High Court to hear my points. I want to present and if I'm wrong then send me back to the jail, I respect that.”

Days after being granted interim bail and walking out of Tihar Jail on February 17 in a Rs. 9 crore cheque bounce case, actor Rajpal Yadav is choosing reflection over reaction. The 54-year-old, who travelled with his wife, Radha Yadav, to his hometown in UP soon after his release, says the legal battle is far from over.

Opening up about the entire ordeal, Radha says they are approaching the situation “one step at a time”.

Reflecting on his time in jail, Rajpal shares, “The most difficult part was being away from my family. Beyond that, I accepted the routine. I would wake up early and focus on breathing exercises and maintaining mental balance.” On the legal front, he says, “This matter has been ongoing for many years. I believed it was right to handle it legally.”

Radha adds, “Every possible legal and respectful option was explored. Sometimes resolution is not just about willingness, it also depends on timing.”

The legal dispute dates back to 2010, when Rajpal took a Rs. 5 crore loan from businessman Madhav Gopal Agrawal to finance his directorial debut, Ata Pata Laapata (2012). After the film failed at the box office, he was unable to repay the amount. Over the years, accumulated interest, penalties and legal costs have caused the liability to rise to Rs. 9 crore.

Days after actor Rajpal Yadav walked out of Tihar Jail on interim bail on Tuesday in a cheque-bounce case linked to his directorial debut Ata Pata Laapata (2012), his legal team has offered a fresh perspective on the long-running dispute. Advocate Bhaskar Upadhyay claims the matter escalated after businessman Madhav Gopal Agarwal allegedly took offence during the film’s music launch event. 

According to Upadhyay, multiple agreements were signed between the parties until August 2012, with repayments scheduled to begin later that year. However, tensions reportedly surfaced at the September music launch, which was attended by Amitabh Bachchan.

“The complainant wanted to share the stage with Mr Bachchan, but Rajpal’s team declined as Mr Bachchan was not taking any favours for his presence. The complainant got annoyed and moved the Delhi High Court seeking a stay on the film,” Upadhyay tells us.

The lawyer adds that the dispute was later settled through a consent agreement in 2013, followed by a consent decree in 2016, under which Rs. 10.4 crore became payable. An execution petition was filed the same year, and Rs. 1.9 crore was subsequently paid.

Upadhyay further alleges that despite a guarantor offering property worth Rs. 15 crore as surety — documents of which are with HT City — the complainant refused and instead sought imprisonment.

The matter remains sub judice, with Rajpal’s team expected to present new points at the March 18 hearing.

Meanwhile, Rajpal Yadav, currently in his ancestral village in Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh, told PTI that prisons should have “designated smoking areas, similar to railway stations and airports”. He added that jails should function as reform centres where inmates get structured opportunities to change.

Rajpal Yadav surrendered to Tihar Jail on February 5 after the Delhi High Court refused to extend the deadline for him to hand himself over in connection with a long-running Rs. 9cr cheque-bounce case. Post his release on Tuesday, he left for his niece’s wedding in Shahjahanpur.

In a chat with us, Rajpal chose his words carefully, aware that the matter remains legally sensitive. “Everything related to the episode and the legal matters is ongoing. I am careful with my words because even a slight change in my words can create issues. So I don’t want even a single line to become a problem,” he said at the outset.

Rajpal Yadav reiterated that his stance has remained consistent since the court case began. “When the High Court ordered me to surrender, I did that. When they ordered me to come out, I did. If the court says wait, I will wait. I have never tried to twist my words or change my stand to suit a moment. My point hasn’t changed, my passport hasn’t changed, so why would my truth change? I was clear that I want everyone to know the facts,” he said.

Talking about his days in jail, Rajpal said, “For me, every day is a new beginning – a new day of learning and a new day of working. As an actor, I just observed everything around me. I was eating the same food that was made for everyone. I did whatever was expected of me. I just want the High Court to hear my point of view and if the Court finds that I’m wrong – send me back to jail, I will respect that.”

Reports of financial support from members of the film industry have been circulating, but Rajpal refuses to name anyone.

He said, “This case first appeared in the media in 2012. Reports stated, ‘Rajpal Yadav is a fraud.’ Since then, I have had at least 10 films a year. Why would anyone work with me if I was a fraud? The industry doesn’t need to prove that they are with me, I have faith that everyone is with me.”

When probed further on the financial support he has supposedly received from some people in the industry, he said, “I respect all the help, but I don’t want sympathy.”

Rajpal Yadav was granted bail on Monday. Speaking to Mumbai Mirror, soon after the order, his lawyer Bhaskar Upadhyay said it was “not easy at all” to secure bail. According to him, the dispute stems from agreements signed over a decade ago related to Yadav’s 2010 production venture. Over time, multiple contracts, a consent decree, and subsequent proceedings created what he termed a “layered and confusing situation.”

Talking about Yadav, Upadhyay said, “He is not a lawyer; he doesn’t understand technicalities. He is an actor, a family man. Whenever the court asked, he simply said, Whatever I owe, I will pay,” he shared, adding, “He himself had a lot at stake in that project. It’s not like he walked away unaffected,” Upadhyay said.

Upadhyay also claims that the complainaint was more keen to see Yadav imprisoned. “If it was only about money, they could have taken the security. But there was a malicious intent. The complainant said that 'We don't want this and just kindly execute the decree by sending him in jail'. This was categorically said by the complainants. If it was the issue of a money only then they must have taken the surety. He had given his original property documents. He surrendered it before the court stating the value of my property is more than 40 crores," he said.

So far, a portion of the dues has been paid. Upadhyay confirmed that Rs 2.5 crore has been arranged toward the larger amount under discussion.

“He is trying, within his capacity, to honour what he has committed,” he said, adding, "For him he was in the impression that that money was 5 crores. He has to pay back 5 crores. He never disputed that amount. But he just wanted the code to clarify. What about that money? Because this 5 crores was invested by the complainant in that movie, not given a personal loan to him for his personal needs."

There has also been chatter in industry circles about fellow film personalities stepping in to help. While not naming anyone, the lawyer acknowledged that people have come forward in Yadav’s difficult time. 

“Many are helping in his odd hours. The specifics are for him to share when the time is right,” he said.

Through it all, Yadav has remained mentally resilient, his lawyer claimed. “He is strong. He says he will comply with court directions. His only request is that his side be properly heard,” Upadhyay said.

As Rajpal Yadav walked out of the Tihar Jail on Tuesday, thanks to the Delhi High Court granting him interim bail till March 18, he thanked the country and his industry for their support. “I will complete 30 years in Bollywood, in Mumbai in 2027. People from all over the country, children, old and young, are with me... The way the entire country and the world, my Bollywood has loved me... If there are any allegations against me, I am available to answer. Thank you High Court,” he told ANI on Tuesday.

But narrating the account from the other end, businessman Madhav Gopal Agarwal, who loaned Rajpal Rs. 5 crore, has revealed the years-long ordeal of trying to get his money back in an interview with News Pinch.

Agarwal said that he met the actor back in 2010 through MP Mithilesh Kumar Katheria. During the meeting, Rajpal said if he didn’t receive immediate funding for his directorial debut, Ata Pata Laapata (2012), “everything will go to waste”. While Agarwal was initially hesitant, he claimed that Rajpal’s wife Radha contacted him several times over five days requesting help, which emotionally pressured him into loaning them the money under a formal agreement.

However, the repayment dates were missed by Rajpal, with supplementary agreements and new cheques with revised dates being issued three times over the next two years.

When veteran actor Amitabh Bachchan launched the film’s music, Agarwal realized that the film negatives and earnings were meant to be handed over once the project was completed. Worried about recovering his money, he approached the court and temporarily stayed the film’s release. Rajpal maintained that he would repay the loan after the film was released, after which the court stay was lifted. However, the film’s box office failure made the situation worse.

By 2013, with no solution in sight, Agarwal returned to court. Judicial intervention resulted in a settlement amount of Rs. 10.4 crore. Although several cheques were submitted by the actor, all were later dishonoured.

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Advocate Bhaskar Upadhyay, who is representing actor Rajpal Yadav in the Rs. 9 crore cheque-bounce case, speaks to use after Rajpal’s release from jail.

“We told the court that our previous conducts were due to miscommunication, and we gave enough money to fulfil our commitment (Rs. 2.25 crores). The judge also realized that it’s necessary to listen to our side and have asked for Rajpal ji’s presence in the next hearing on March 18. Our contention is just that our side be listened to. The court asked us about the pending amount and we said that we just want the court to take our case based on merit and give us liberty to speak our side. And the court agreed. The next course of action will now be decided on the next hearing,” he says.

He had earlier told HT City that Rajpal will be holding a press conference to address speculation and queries around the case.

Radha Yadav, wife of actor Rajpal Yadav, spoke to us amid intense public interest over his surrender in a cheque-bounce case and subsequent incarceration at Tihar Jail.

Recently, an old video resurfaced in which Rajpal thanked Salman Khan, prompting reports that he had been released. However, Radha told Bombay Times, “As of now, he is not out of Tihar Jail. The bail hearing is scheduled for Monday (February 16).”

When asked how he was doing, she said, “He is okay, from what I understand.” Speaking about the support he has been receiving from the industry, Radha added, “Our whole family is together at this time. We are very grateful for the support and love he is receiving from his fans and the film fraternity.”

There have been rumours that multiple actors such as Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn, and others have paid off the actors debt, Radha addressed the speculations, and clarified, "I can’t take any specific names right now, but I would just want to say many people from the industry have stepped in to support. I’m not able to divulge names and figures at this stage. We are very hopeful that he will be out soon. That’s all I can say now. Once Rajpal ji is out, he will be able speak to you and the media and give further clarity on the matter.”

During the most recent court hearing, the bench directed the complainant to file a response to his bail application and sought clarification from Yadav’s legal team on how he intends to settle the outstanding financial obligations. His lawyer informed the court that approximately Rs 2.5 crore of the disputed amount had been paid towards the debt, though a full settlement has yet to be reached.

In the days since Rajpal Yadav was sent to Tihar Jail in connection with a Rs 9 crore debt and cheque bounce case, many in the Hindi film industry have offered financial help to the actor. The latest to extend support is Priyadarshan. The filmmaker, whose next is a comedy starring Pankaj Tripathi and Yadav, revealed that the makers have hiked the actor’s fee, in light of the current situation.

When mid-day reached out to Priyadarshan, he said, “I have known Rajpal for over 20 years.”

The director, who was neck-deep in the post-production of Bhooth Bangla in Hyderabad, added, “I saw him for the first time in Jungle [2000] and was surprised by his performance. My first film with him was Malamaal Weekly [2006], and after that, he has starred in most of my films. I told the producers [Jubilee Films] of my next to pay Rajpal more than what he charges because of his situation. We want to save him. The producers have agreed. Rajpal plays the villain in my movie.”

Yadav reportedly borrowed Rs 5 crore in 2010 to finance his directorial venture, Ata Pata Laapata (2012). With the film failing at the box office, the unpaid dues over the years apparently escalated to nearly Rs 9 crore.

As one of Yadav’s close associates, Priyadarshan was aware of his financial distress. “I knew about his problem. That’s why I kept signing Rajpal for every film. I pushed him in ad films too. The poor guy made a blunder because of his poor education. Rajpal is a good soul.”

Senior actor Rajpal Yadav has been going through a tough time amid legal and financial trouble, and he recently surrendered before the Tihar Jail authorities in a cheque-bounce case. Reportedly, before surrendering to the authorities, the actor broke down and said, “Sir, kya karoon? Mere paas paise nahin hain. Aur koi upaay nahin dikhta.”

When asked if he had considered seeking help from colleagues or industry friends, Yadav replied, “Sir, yahan hum sab akele hain. There are no friends. I have to deal with this crisis on my own.”

Rajpal Yadav surrendered to the police after the Delhi High Court directed him to do so in connection with multiple cheque bounce cases. The actor, who had taken a loan for his directorial, Ata Pata Laapata, in 2010, was unable to repay the loan. In 2018, a magisterial court sentenced him to a six-month jail term. In 2019, a sessions court upheld the verdict.

When the actor and his wife approached the Delhi High Court in 2024 for relief, the court temporarily suspended the sentence, taking into consideration the fact that the actor and his wife were not habitual offenders. It allowed time for resettlement. However, the actor was unable to repay the debt. The Delhi High Court, on Wednesday, rejected Bollywood actor Rajpal Yadav’s plea seeking an extension of time to surrender before jail authorities.

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Actor Sonu Sood took to social media on Tuesday to share that Rajpal Yadav will be part of his upcoming film, adding that the actor would be given a “small signing amount, adjustable against future work”. The announcement comes just days after Rajpal surrendered at Delhi’s Tihar Jail on Feb 5 in connection with a cheque bounce case.

Speaking to us, Sonu says, “Helping him is our responsibility as colleagues, and I hope we can make this happen. It’s a little too early to talk about the film as it is in the final writing stages.”

The 52-year-old, who previously worked with Rajpal in Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: The Forgotten Hero (2004), adds, “A lot of people in our industry have worked with Rajpal bhai. He will be a part of my film, and I request all producers to do the same so that he can come out of the tough phase he is facing.”

The cheque bounce case stems from a Rs. 5 crore loan Rajpal took in 2010 to fund his directorial debut, Ata Pata Laapata (2012). The amount later reportedly swelled to nearly Rs. 9 crore, which he was unable to repay, following which he surrendered last Thursday.

One of the best things we heard this summer was Ram Gopal Varma’s announcement in April that he was reuniting with Manoj Bajpayee for a horror action comedy titled Police Station Mein Bhoot. Three months since, it’s time for the filmmaker-actor duo to head to the sets. mid-day has learnt that Varma will call action on the film from July 26 in Hyderabad, where they will shoot for a month.

When it comes to the duo, expectations are sky high, especially since they gave us the iconic Satya (1998) that catapulted Bajpayee aka Bhiku Mhatre to overnight fame. Several promising films followed — from the underrated Kaun (1999) to the cop drama, Shool (1999). This time, they are attempting a new genre together as they tell the story of Bajpayee’s cop, who kills a notorious gangster and is possessed by him in turn.

A source reveals, “Manoj will begin shooting Police Station Mein Bhoot at a bungalow in Ameerpet in Hyderabad. The bungalow will be converted into a police station. Ramu has written a wild story that sees how Manoj’s character transforms from an honest cop to a maniacal one after he is possessed by the gangster’s spirit and the police station becomes haunted.”

Police Station Mein Bhoot, which also stars Genelia Deshmukh as Bajpayee’s wife and Rajpal Yadav, will be shot over four schedules.

The source adds, “After the Hyderabad leg, the remaining schedules will be conducted in parts of South India. Ramu wishes to wrap it up by the year-end.”

Filmmaker Anees Bazmee’s directorial Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 is in theatres now. Starring Kartik Aaryan, Triptii Dimri, Madhuri Dixit and Vidya Balan, the horror comedy, initiated by Bhushan Kumar, brings back the tale of Manjulika. While the star-studded cast adds to the maker’s confidence, Bazmee says that right from the film’s scripting stage, he had great hopes.

“This star cast is such that you feel confident by signing them on. But even before that, we had the confidence that we were working on something beautiful and special, and all the people joined us because they loved the story that we narrated to them. They loved their characters, too,” says Bazmee.

The first Bhool Bhulaiyaa released in 2007, while the second one, led by Kartik Aaryan, released in 2022 and was a blockbuster. Now, bringing the third instalment of the franchise does make the filmmaker want to give an even better version.

Speaking about the USP of Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, Bazmee says, “I think it’s tough to mention one USP. Ek toh the talented cast — Kartik, Vidya, Madhuri ji and pandits ka trio (actors Sanjay Mishra, Ashwini Kalsekar and Rajpal Yadav). Then, bahut khoobsurat kahaani hai, it’s a new kind of horror. It surprises you at so many places. And above all, Madhuri and Vidya ji ke saath khoobsurat gaana hai, Ami Je Tomar 3.0. There are a lot of USPs.”

Bazmee recalls how the movie evoked a positive feeling since day one. “When we shot the first scene and edited it, we got a good feeling. We felt it was looking good and everyone was in their character. The first two-three days of shoot were crucial, because everyone was coming together for the film after playing different characters [in different films]. For instance, Kartik did Chandu Champion. Vidya was in her character since day one. When we took the first shot of Madhuri, everyone on the set clapped for her,” he says.

A portion of actor Rajpal Yadav’s property in his native Shahjahanpur district of Uttar Pradesh has been sealed by a Mumbai bank due to non-repayment of a loan, an official reported on Wednesday. Yadav had mortgaged this property to secure a loan from the Mumbai branch of the Central Bank of India, according to Manish Varma, manager of the Shahjahanpur branch.

Sources close to Yadav revealed that he established Navrang Godavari Entertainment Limited — a production house named after his parents — in 2005 and took out a Rs. 5 crore loan from the Bandra Kurla Complex branch of the Central Bank of India in Mumbai. By the time the property was sealed, the 53-year-old actor owed the bank Rs. 11 crore. On August 8, a team from the Mumbai bank sealed part of Yadav’s house near the Dak bungalow.

Superintendent of Police Ashok Kumar Meena stated that he had no information about the sealing, as the bank did not seek local police’s assistance. Locals noted that the sealing was conducted so hastily that some electrical switches were left on.