Rajpal Yadav Says Time In Tihar Jail Was Like “Near-Death” Experience When He Almost Drowned
Rajpal Yadav recently opened up about coming out of Tihar jail, the hassles of the cheque-bounce case and more as he promoted ‘Bhooth Bangla’.
In a deeply personal and emotional revelation, Bollywood actor Rajpal Yadav has broken his silence regarding his recent time in Tihar Jail. Speaking in his first detailed interview since being released on bail, the actor described his time behind bars not just as a legal hurdle, but as a harrowing experience that he equated to a "near-death" encounter. The actor, known for his impeccable comic timing and versatile performances, found himself at the centre of a long-standing legal battle involving a Rs 9 crore cheque-bounce case.
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In February, the Delhi High Court ordered his transition to Tihar Jail. However, the period of imprisonment was brief; a wave of support from the film industry and well-wishers allowed him to partially repay his debts, leading to the court granting him bail and refusing further arrest.
During the promotions for his highly anticipated upcoming film ‘Bhooth Bangla’, Rajpal Yadav reflected on the psychological and emotional toll of the past few weeks in an interaction with Hindustan Times.
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When asked how he is now, having left legal troubles behind. “Raahat hi hai zindagi mein,” he said philosophically and added, “You all are here, people from around the country and the world.”
Rajpal Yadav got emotional when he talked about the support he received. “When you are stuck in a situation, and at that point, the people for whom you have been working for 20 years stand by you. Whether it is a child or a senior citizen, it does not matter. People prayed for me, others supported me with tan, mann, dhan, whatever they could. That made me a hundred years younger,” the actor said.
True to his nature, Rajpal Yadav joked about the new debt he is under – to the people who prayed for him from their homes. “I feel I am not indebted to so many people from around the world who wished well for me. Yeh jo karz hua hai poori duniya ka mere upar, iss karz mein main doobna chahta hoon,” he said.
However, Rajpal Yadav shared that the experience has changed him. “I must have lived 500 lives in the last 40 years, since I started doing theatre at the age of 14. But now I feel like I have been born again. I feel like a child again,” the Bollywood actor said.
Recounting a near-death-experience he had as a child, he said, “I have seen death from up close. I almost drowned in the Ganga. At that point, I told myself to keep fighting, to try to surface. You fight the pressure of the water pulling you down. Aapki aadhi jaan nikal jaati hai.”
He said this experience was like that time for him, adding, “I’m a fighter. In my life, I got sympathy and love from my family and so many other families in the world. So much the world and Indian cinema have given me, it keeps me fighting. I want to live every minute of my life in peace now. Raahat ki saans chahiye. Tabhi has paunga or hasa paunga.”
Looking ahead, the actor is ready to return to what he does best: making people laugh. He is set to appear in ‘Bhooth Bangla’, a horror-comedy directed by the legendary Priyadarshan. The film boasts a powerhouse ensemble cast including Akshay Kumar, Paresh Rawal, Tabu, and Wamiqa Gabbi.
Fans won't have to wait long to see him back on the big screen, as the movie is scheduled for a theatrical release on April 10. For Rajpal Yadav, the goal now is simple: to live in peace so that he can continue to bring joy to others.
