Kamal Ghorui
Rajpal Yadav says he feels like he has been given a new life—almost as if he’s a child again. The past few weeks have been especially challenging for the actor, who was briefly sent to prison in an old cheque-bounce case. The situation triggered widespread support from the film industry, along with efforts from the actor to clear his dues. Within days, he was released after securing bail.Yadav is currently promoting his upcoming film ‘Bhooth Bangla’, shortly after a court declined to have him arrested again. When asked about his current state of mind after the legal ordeal, he told Hindustan Times, “Raahat hi hai zindagi mein (There is only relief in life),” adding, “You all are here, people from around the country and the world.”Earlier in February, the Delhi High Court had ordered his transfer to Tihar Jail in connection with the Rs 9 crore cheque-bounce case. In the days that followed, several colleagues, producers, and well-wishers stepped in to help him repay a portion of the amount. This collective support played a key role in his release on bail.The actor becomes visibly emotional when recalling the overwhelming backing 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.”See More: Rajpal Yadav breaks silence on Akshay Kumar ‘pushing him to the side’ during Bhooth Bangla promotions: ‘He loves me, I love him’In his trademark humorous style, Rajpal also spoke about feeling indebted, not financially, but emotionally, to those who stood by him. “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 (I feel I am in debt to the entire world, and I want to stay in it),” he said with a smile.Reflecting on how the experience has transformed him, he shared, “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.”Despite the emotional and physical toll such legal struggles can take, Rajpal insists he has always been resilient. He recalled a childhood incident that shaped his outlook: “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 (You lose half your strength).” Drawing a parallel with his recent ordeal, he added, “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 (Only then can I laugh and make others laugh).”Up next, Rajpal will be seen in Bhooth Bangla, sharing screen space with Akshay Kumar, Paresh Rawal, Tabu, and Wamiqa Gabbi. The horror-comedy, directed by Priyadarshan, is set to hit theatres on April 10.
