Sonu Sood Extends Support to Rajpal Yadav Amid Legal and Financial Crisis

Actor Sonu Sood has come forward to support fellow actor Rajpal Yadav at a time when the latter is grappling with severe financial distress and legal troubles linked to a long-running cheque bounce case involving nearly ₹9 crore.

Just days before surrendering to Tihar Jail, Rajpal had made an emotional public statement, admitting that he was facing an acute cash crunch and felt completely alone in dealing with the crisis. His remarks, which quickly spread across social media, struck a chord with many in the film fraternity.

Responding to the situation, Sonu Sood announced that Rajpal will be part of an upcoming film backed by him. Along with the role, Sonu also offered a modest signing amount to help the actor manage his immediate financial burden. He was quick to clarify that the gesture should not be seen as charity, but as professional solidarity and respect for Rajpal’s contribution to cinema.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram Stories, Sonu praised Rajpal’s talent and legacy in the industry, noting that difficult circumstances can arise not due to lack of ability but because of unfortunate timing. He urged producers, directors, and colleagues to rally around Rajpal and ensure he does not feel isolated during this challenging phase. According to Sonu, extending professional opportunities with dignity is the right way for the industry to stand by one of its own.

Rajpal’s legal troubles date back more than a decade. In 2010, he had borrowed ₹5 crore from Delhi-based Murali Projects Pvt Ltd to finance his directorial venture Ata Pata Laapata, released in 2012. The film’s poor performance at the box office resulted in repayment issues, eventually leading to criminal proceedings.

In April 2018, a magisterial court convicted Rajpal and his wife under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act after seven cheques issued to the lender were dishonoured. He was sentenced to six months of simple imprisonment, a verdict later upheld by a sessions court in 2019.

Although Rajpal approached the Delhi High Court seeking relief, the case continued to escalate. In June 2024, the court temporarily suspended his sentence and asked him to take concrete steps to clear his dues, which had by then risen close to ₹9 crore. However, repeated delays and failure to honour commitments weakened his case. Even after depositing ₹75 lakh in October 2025, the court observed that a substantial portion of the liability remained unpaid.

Earlier this month, Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma ordered Rajpal to surrender, stating that repeated leniency could not be granted indefinitely, irrespective of an individual’s celebrity status. On February 4, 2026, the court dismissed his last-minute plea seeking additional time to arrange funds, noting that he had failed to comply with nearly 20 assurances made earlier.

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