Sonu Sood urges film industry unity, offers work to Rajpal Yadav amid cheque bounce case

Actor Sonu Sood has extended public support to Rajpal Yadav after the latter surrendered and was sent to Tihar Jail in connection with a long-running cheque bounce case involving dues of nearly ₹9 crore. Sonu announced that Rajpal will be part of his next film and appealed to the film industry to stand by the actor during what he described as an extremely difficult phase.

Taking to social media, Sonu praised Rajpal’s contribution to cinema and said financial hardship does not reflect a lack of talent. “Rajpal Yadav is a gifted actor who has given years of unforgettable work to our industry,” he wrote, adding that life can become unfair at times because timing can be brutal. He stressed that the moment calls for unity and collective responsibility within the industry.

Sonu also clarified that offering Rajpal work and a signing amount should not be viewed as charity. He described it as a matter of dignity, stating that a small signing amount, adjustable against future work, is a professional gesture that can help a struggling colleague regain stability and confidence.

Rajpal Yadav’s legal troubles date back to 2010 when he took a ₹5 crore loan to finance his directorial film Ata Pata Laapata. After the film failed commercially, he was unable to fully repay the amount. Cheques issued by Rajpal and his wife bounced, leading to prolonged litigation. Over the years, penalties and interest pushed the liability close to ₹9 crore, despite partial repayments.

Before surrendering, Rajpal made an emotional statement in court, admitting that he had no money left and no one to turn to for help. The court later ordered him to surrender after repeated failures to honour repayment commitments. Even as he serves his sentence, Rajpal has films lined up for release, and Sonu’s message has resonated widely for its call for empathy, solidarity and dignity within the film fraternity.