A viral video showing actor Rajpal Yadav thanking Salman Khan has been debunked as an old clip from 2018. The actor remains lodged in Tihar Jail after the Delhi High Court directed his surrender in a long-running cheque bounce case, with his bail hearing listed for 16th February.
Report:
A video of actor Rajpal Yadav thanking Salman Khan went viral over the weekend, with several social media users claiming the actor had been released from Tihar Jail with the superstar’s financial assistance. Fact-checking, however, reveals the clip is from 2018 and has no connection to Yadav’s current legal troubles.
In the video, Yadav is seen sitting in a car, speaking to the media and praising Khan. He refers to the actor as an elder brother and expresses feeling relieved. The emotional tone led many to believe it was recorded following his release in the ongoing Rs 9 crore debt matter. Posts congratulating Yadav and thanking Khan spread rapidly across social media platforms.
The context of the video, however, is entirely different. The clip dates back to 2018 when Khan had secured bail in the blackbuck poaching case. Yadav was commenting on Khan’s situation at the time, not his own. Multiple users on social media quickly pointed out the discrepancy, with some writing that the video was old and urging others to verify before sharing.
Yadav is currently lodged in Tihar Jail after surrendering on February 5, 2026. The Delhi High Court had earlier directed him to surrender by 4th February in connection with cheque dishonour cases filed by Murli Projects Pvt Ltd. When he failed to appear by the deadline, the court expressed strong disapproval and refused to grant any further relief.
The legal dispute traces back to 2010 when Yadav borrowed approximately Rs 5 crore from the complainant company to fund his directorial debut, Ata Pata Laapata. The film, released in 2012, failed commercially. With interest, penalties, and accumulated delays over the years, the outstanding amount ballooned to nearly Rs 9 crore.
Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, hearing the matter, observed that Yadav’s conduct demonstrated a pattern of deliberate non-compliance with the undertakings given to the court. Despite repeated assurances, multiple extensions of time, and continued suspension of sentence on the ground of a proposed settlement, the actor had failed to honour his admitted financial liability. The court noted that the indulgence shown at Yadav’s specific request had been consistently misused to seek adjournments without any meaningful compliance.
Yadav’s counsel had informed the court that the actor was prepared to deposit Rs 25 lakh immediately and had tentatively agreed on a repayment schedule with the complainant. However, the court declined to recall the surrender order, emphasising that compassion must be balanced with judicial discipline. The court rejected explanations offered for non-payment, including a plea of typographical errors in demand drafts, holding that such justifications lacked credibility given the consistent pattern of default.
On 12th February, the Delhi High Court took up Yadav’s bail application and sought a reply from the complainant. The matter has been listed for hearing on 16 February. During the proceedings, the court made pointed remarks about the actor’s past conduct, stating that he had gone to jail because he failed to honour his own commitments.
Since his incarceration, several members of the film industry have extended support. According to reports, actors including Salman Khan, Ajay Devgn, Sonu Sood, Varun Dhawan, and filmmaker David Dhawan have offered financial assistance. Sonu Sood publicly stated that Yadav would feature in his upcoming film and offered him a signing amount, describing it as dignity rather than charity. Singer Mika Singh pledged Rs 11 lakh, and politician Tej Pratap Yadav also announced similar financial support.
Yadav’s manager, Goldie, confirmed the outpouring of industry support in interviews, stating that the entire film industry had stood behind the actor like a rock. He expressed hope that Yadav would be granted bail at the next hearing.
Filmmaker Priyadarshan, who has collaborated with Yadav on several films including Malamaal Weekly, Bhagam Bhaag, and Chup Chup Ke, also spoke in the actor’s defence. He told a publication that he had instructed the producers of his next film to pay Yadav more than his usual fee given his circumstances, and that the producers had agreed.
In 2018, a magistrate’s court had convicted Yadav and his wife under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act and sentenced him to six months’ simple imprisonment. He reportedly served around three months before securing relief. The Delhi High Court subsequently suspended his sentence in June 2024 to facilitate an amicable settlement, but the court found that commitments made over time were not honoured.
Case title: Rajpal Naurang Yadav v. M/s. Murli Projects Pvt. Ltd., CRL.M.C. 4870/2024 (Del.)
Click here to read Order.
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