Rajpal Yadav

Rajpal Naurang Yadav (born 16 March 1971) is an Indian actor and comedian who primarily works in Hindi cinema. His breakthrough came in Ram Gopal Varma's Jungle with a negative role. Although Yadav gained widespread recognition from his slapstick comic performances over the years and has been nominated for several awards such as Filmfare and Screen Awards.

Some of his most notable works include Ek Aur Ek Gyarah (2003), Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004), Waqt: The Race Against Time (2005), Phir Hera Pheri (2006), Partner (2007), Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007), Bhoothnath, Krazzy 4 (both 2008), Krrish 3 (2013), Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 (2022) and the Priyadarshan films such as Hungama (2003), Garam Masala , Malamaal Weekly (both 2005), Chup Chup Ke, Bhagam Bhag (both 2006).

He has starred in leading roles and serious characters including Main Madhuri Dixit Banna Chahti Hoon (2003), Main, Meri Patni Aur Woh (2005), Rama Rama Kya Hai Drama (2008), Kushti (2010) and Ardh (2022).

Career Yadav acted in the DD National's television serial Mungeri Ke Bhai Naurangilal. This was the sequel to Mungerilal Ke Haseen Sapne. His first film was Shool (1999), in which he played the role of a coolie.

Although Yadav found success in negative roles, he preferred comic roles, as in Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya, and he went on to become a prolific comic enthusiast in Hindi films. His films include Hungama, Waqt: The Race Against Time, Chup Chup Ke, Garam Masala, Phir Hera Pheri and Dhol.

Yadav has also been the leading character in more serious films including Main Madhuri Dixit Banna Chahti Hoon, Ladies Tailor, Rama Rama Kya Hai Drama, Hello! Hum Lallan Bol Rahe Hain, Kushti, Mirch, Benny and Babloo and Main, Meri Patni Aur Woh.

For the film Jungle, he won the Sansui Screen Best actor award in a Negative Role along with a nomination for the Screen Best Actor award. He received the Yash Bharati Award for the film Main Madhuri Dixit Banna Chahti Hoon. Yadav was also given the Janpad Ratna Award.

He made his Telugu language debut in 2015 with Kick 2, and also played a role in multilingual film Amma.

He had also worked as lead against Anjali Sharma in psychological drama titled 'Son' directed and produced by Paul Rupesh.

Personal life Yadav took acting training from National School of Drama. Yadav married his first wife in 1992. After the birth of their first child, she died due to certain complications. He went on to marry Radha Yadav in 2003 after establishing himself in the industry. He has three daughters.

Legal disputes Yadav was given a 10-day imprisonment in 2013 for filing a false affidavit in court. He spent four days in jail from 3 December 2013 until 6 December 2013 after which a division bench of the High Court suspended the sentence on his appeal. He was sentenced to 3 months in civil prison for non repayment of loan which he took in 2010 for his directorial debut by the Delhi High Court on 30 November 2018. He was immediately taken into custody by the Delhi Police. Subsequently, in November 2018, Delhi High Court issued a three-month prison sentence which affected his career.

In February 2026, Yadav was sent to Tihar Jail after the Delhi High Court rejected his plea seeking additional time to repay outstanding dues in a long-running cheque bounce case. The case originated from a loan taken in 2010 for the production of his directorial debut film, Ata Pata Laapata, and the unpaid amount reportedly increased to nearly ₹9 crore over time due to interest and penalties. The court ordered his surrender after noting repeated failures to comply with earlier undertakings related to repayment. He surrendered on 5 February 2026 to serve a six-month sentence under provisions related to dishonour of cheques under the Negotiable Instruments Act.

Before surrendering, Yadav spoke publicly about his financial difficulties. Speaking to Bollywood Hungama, he stated:"Sir, kya karoon? Mere paas paise nahin hain (sir, what to do? I don’t have the money to pay back). Aur koi upaay nahin dikhta (can’t see another way out)." When asked if he had considered seeking help from colleagues or industry friends such as Priyadarshan, who has frequently collaborated with him, Yadav added: "Sir, yahan hum sab akele hain (sir, we are all on our own over here). There are no friends. I have to deal with this crisis on my own."His statements drew widespread attention and sympathy within the film industry and on social media. Actor Sonu Sood expressed support for Yadav, announcing that he would cast him in an upcoming film and offer a signing amount adjustable against future work.

In 2026, Rajpal Yadav secured interim bail in a ₹9 crore cheque bounce case tied to a 2010 film loan. After briefly surrendering, he paid part of the dues as ordered and declined to name Bollywood figures who reportedly assisted him, saying he did not want sympathy.

Filmography

Films Hindi films Year Film Role

Other language films

Year Film Role LanguageNotes2007 Chasme Bahadur Owner of Beer Shop Marathi Lage Raho Yadav BhaiyaBhojpuri 2011 Rada Rox Marathi 2013 Ronde Saare Vyah PichoChunnu Singh Dhillon Punjabi 2015 Kick 2 Dunna Telugu Dagdabaichi ChalYogesh Paul Marathi 2016 Bhagya Na Jaane Koi Madhav Awadhi 2017 Shrestha Bangali Kesto Master Bengali 2019 Chandigarh Amritsar Chandigarh Rickshaw Driver Punjabi

Television Year Title Role Notes 1999 Mungeri Ke Bhai Naurangilal 1992 Svapnavāsavadattam Vidūṣaka (comedian) Sanskrit serial on Doordarshan 2023 Pop Kaun? Sultan Qureshi 2026 Naagin 7 Special appearance; episode 30

Dubbing roles

Film title Actor Character Dub Language Original Language Original Year Release Dub Year Release Notes Sivaji: The Boss Vivek † Arivu Hindi Tamil 2007 2010

Awards and nominations