Rajpal Naurang Yadav (born 16 March 1971) is an Indian actor and comedian who primarily works in Hindi cinema. His breakthrough came in Ram Gopal Varma's Jungle (2000) with a negative role. Although Yadav gained widespread recognition from his slapstick comic performances over the years and has been nominated for several awards such as Filmfare and Screen Awards.
Some of his most notable works include Ek Aur Ek Gyarah (2003), Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004), Waqt: The Race Against Time (2005), Phir Hera Pheri (2006), Partner (2007), Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007), Bhoothnath, Krazzy 4 (both 2008), Krrish 3 (2013), Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 (2022) and the Priyadarshan films such as Hungama (2003), Garam Masala, Malamaal Weekly (both 2005), Chup Chup Ke, Bhagam Bhag (both 2006).
He has starred in leading roles and serious characters including Main Madhuri Dixit Banna Chahti Hoon (2003), Main, Meri Patni Aur Woh (2005), Rama Rama Kya Hai Drama (2008), Kushti (2010) and Ardh (2022).
Career Yadav acted in the DD National's television serial Mungeri Ke Bhai Naurangilal. This was the sequel to Mungerilal Ke Haseen Sapne. His first film was Shool (1999), in which he played the role of a coolie.
Although Yadav found success in negative roles, he preferred comic roles, as in Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya, and he went on to become a prolific comic enthusiast in Hindi films. His films include Hungama, Waqt: The Race Against Time, Chup Chup Ke, Garam Masala, Phir Hera Pheri and Dhol.
Yadav has also been the leading character in more serious films including Main Madhuri Dixit Banna Chahti Hoon, Ladies Tailor, Rama Rama Kya Hai Drama, Hello! Hum Lallan Bol Rahe Hain, Kushti, Mirch, Benny and Babloo and Main, Meri Patni Aur Woh.
For the film Jungle, he won the Sansui Screen Best actor award in a Negative Role along with a nomination for the Screen Best Actor award. He received the Yash Bharati Award for the film Main Madhuri Dixit Banna Chahti Hoon. Yadav was also given the Janpad Ratna Award.
He made his Telugu language debut in 2015 with Kick 2, and also played a role in multilingual film Amma.
He had also worked as lead against Anjali Sharma in psychological drama titled 'Son' directed and produced by Paul Rupesh.
Personal life Yadav took acting training from National School of Drama. Yadav married his first wife in 1992. After the birth of their first child, she died due to certain complications. He went on to marry Radha Yadav in 2003 after establishing himself in the industry. He has three daughters.
Legal disputes Yadav was given a 10-day imprisonment in 2013 for filing a false affidavit in court. He spent four days in jail from 3 December 2013 until 6 December 2013 after which a division bench of the High Court suspended the sentence on his appeal. He was sentenced to 3 months in civil prison for non repayment of loan which he took in 2010 for his directorial debut by the Delhi High Court on 30 November 2018. He was immediately taken into custody by the Delhi Police. Subsequently, in November 2018, Delhi High Court issued a three-month prison sentence which affected his career.
In February 2026, Yadav was sent to Tihar Jail after the Delhi High Court rejected his plea seeking additional time to repay outstanding dues in a long-running cheque bounce case. The case originated from a loan taken in 2010 for the production of his directorial debut film, Ata Pata Laapata, and the unpaid amount reportedly increased to nearly ₹9 crore over time due to interest and penalties. The court ordered his surrender after noting repeated failures to comply with earlier undertakings related to repayment. He surrendered on 5 February 2026 to serve a six-month sentence under provisions related to dishonour of cheques under the Negotiable Instruments Act.
Before surrendering, Yadav spoke publicly about his financial difficulties. Speaking to Bollywood Hungama, he stated:"Sir, kya karoon? Mere paas paise nahin hain (sir, what to do? I don’t have the money to pay back). Aur koi upaay nahin dikhta (can’t see another way out)." When asked if he had considered seeking help from colleagues or industry friends such as Priyadarshan, who has frequently collaborated with him, Yadav added:"Sir, yahan hum sab akele hain (sir, we are all on our own over here). There are no friends. I have to deal with this crisis on my own."His statements drew widespread attention and sympathy within the film industry and on social media. Actor Sonu Sood expressed support for Yadav, announcing that he would cast him in an upcoming film and offer a signing amount adjustable against future work. Sood described the gesture as professional support rather than charity and urged members of the film industry to stand together during difficult times faced by fellow artists.
In 2026, Rajpal Yadav secured interim bail in a ₹9 crore cheque bounce case tied to a 2010 film loan. After briefly surrendering, he paid part of the dues as ordered and declined to name Bollywood figures who reportedly assisted him, saying he did not want sympathy.
Filmography
Films Hindi films Year Film Role Notes 1999 Dil Kya Kare School's Watchman Mast Peon Shool Coolie 2000 Jungle Sippa 2001 Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya Rampal Yadav / Chhota Vakeel Chandni Bar Iqbal Chamdi Yeh Zindagi Ka Safar Dada 2002 Koi Mere Dil Se Poochhe Raj Naidu Tumko Na Bhool Paayenge Lallan Company Joseph Lal Salaam Dhattu Hum Kisise Kum Nahin Thief At The Parking Lot Maine Dil Tujhko Diya Munna Chor Machaaye Shor Johnny Road Bhanwar Singh Maseeha 2003 Ek Aur Ek Gyarah Chhotu The Hero: Love Story of a Spy Dorji Haasil Chhutku Darna Mana Hai Apple Vendor Story segment: Apples Hungama Raja Main Madhuri Dixit Banna Chahti Hoon Rajeshwar Singh (Raja) Kal Ho Naa Ho Guru 2004 Dil Bechara Pyaar Ka Maara Tunda Bhai Love in Nepal Bunty Guide Insaaf: The Justice Kailu Aan: Men at Work Apte Garv: Pride and Honour Informer 555 Cameo appearance Mujhse Shaadi Karogi Raj Purohit / Paul Taarzan: The Wonder Car Havaldar Sitaram Shart: The Challenge Bhootnath Vaastu Shastra Raajpal Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: The Forgotten Hero Bhagat Ram Talwar 2005 Waqt: The Race Against Time Laxman Kyaa Kool Hai Hum Uma Shankar Tripathi D Dance Artist Paheli Bhoja Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya? Thapa Bye Bye Miss Goodnight Rajesh James Tony Main, Meri Patni Aur Woh Mithilesh Shukla Garam Masala Babban Shaadi No. 1 Mr.Y 2006 Apna Sapna Money Money Matha Prasad Love in Japan Chakra D. Dhari Malamaal Weekly Bajbahadur a.k.a. Bajey Shaadi Se Pehle 'Shayar' Kanpuri Darna Zaroori Hai Insurance Agent Prabhakar Pandit Story segment: Accidents are Never Predicted Phir Hera Pheri Pappu (Anjali's brother) Chup Chup Ke Bandya Ladies Tailor Chander Baabul Balraj's Chauffeur Bhagam Bhag Gulab Singh 'Gullu' Lakhan Singh Haryanewale 2007 Anwar Gopinath Undertrial Sagar Hussain Partner Chhota Don Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag Rambha Bhai Dhol Marthand 'Maru' Dhamdere Go Jagtap Tiwari Bhool Bhulaiyaa Chhote Pandit / Lal Hanuman 2008 Kahaani Gudiya Ki True Story of a Woman Feroz Bhoothnath Anthony Rama Rama Kya Hai Drama Santosh Krazzy 4 Gangadhar Hastey Hastey Sunny Malhotra, Raj and Jai Mere Baap Pehle Aap Manu Yeh Mera India Bhola Paswan God Tussi Great Ho Rangeela – Lottery Stall Owner C Kkompany Lambodhar Jha Chamku Hussain Jumbo Dildaar Animated filmVoice only 2009 Daddy Cool Andrew Chal Chala Chal Sunder Billu Jhallan Kumar Ek Se Bure Do Tony Kal Kissne Dekha Jailor Do Knot Disturb Mangu De Dana Dan Dagdu Yadav Bolo Raam Aatmaa Raam 2010 Hello! Hum Lallan Bol Rahe Hain Lallan Rann Anand Prakash Trivedi Kushti Chander Singh Khatta Meetha Rangila Mirch Kashi Benny and Babloo Babloo Charan Lathi Action Replayy Bhikhu Toofan Raju Tumse Milkar Kutty 2011 Masti Express Raju Satrangee Parachute Parimal Babu Bin Bulaye Baraati Murari Be Careful Sachidanand Brijmohan Pandit 2012 Ata Pata Lapata Manav Chaturvedi Kamaal Dhamaal Malamaal Narrator Voice role 2013 Zindagi 50-50 Lele Janta V/S Janardan – Bechara Aam Aadmi Policegiri Tutu Rangrezz D-Day Himself In song "Duma Dum" Krrish 3 Sharma 2014 Main Tera Hero Peter Bhopal: A Prayer for Rain Dilip Thoda Lutf Thoda Ishq Ghungroo 2015 Baankey Ki Crazy Baraat Baankey Amma Radhe Krishna Yadav Unreleased Hai Golmaal in White House Don Dirty Politics Banna Ram Bumper Draw Farooq Welcome Back The Tailor Cameo appearance 2016 Fire Fighter Pirate Director: Priyadarshan 2017 Judwaa 2 Nandu Babuji Ek Ticket Bambai Farhan Rehman Khan / Akki 2018 Shraap 3D Tishnagi Love Training Bhikhari Shaadi Teri Bajayenge Hum Band Selfie Don 2020 Coolie No. 1 MamaReleased on Amazon Prime Video 2021 Hello CharlieForest Ranger Hungama 2 Popat Jamal / Raja Dhatingarh DhingraReleased on Disney+ Hotstar Time to DanceSada Bhoot PoliceGoggal BabaReleased on Disney+ Hotstar2022 Cinemaa Zindabad Shyam Kapoor MX Player film Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2Chhote Pandit Sequel of Bhool BhulaiyaaLadki: Dragon GirlSwamiArdhShivaZEE5 FilmMatch of LifeKhalli Balli Thai MassageJugnu BhaiyaDangerous2023 GunchakkarBaba FanseShort film on Amazon miniTVHume Toh Loot LiyaRamMX Player filmShehzadaInspector Satish YadavBad BoyKathal Patrakar AnujNetflix film Satyaprem Ki Katha DoodhiyaNon Stop Dhamaal Raju Bhangarwala Dream Girl 2 ShoukiyaHum Tumhe Chahte HaiApurva JugnuReleased on Disney+ Hotstar2024Welcome Wedding Kaam Chalu Hai Manoj PatilZEE5 FilmLuv Ki Arrange MarriagePyare Chandu ChampionTopazPad Gaye PangeCaptain Jahaaz Singh Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3Chhote Pandit Naam Kunj Bihari Released after 20 yearsVanvaasPappuBaby JohnRam Sevak / Jackie 2025InterrogationBansilalZEE5 film Agent Ching Attacks short film 2026Bhooth Bangla Sunder "Balli" BajwaHai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona HaiPT Master MishraWelcome to the Jungle DasGhamasaan Haiwaan Chandu 2027 Filming
Other language films
Year Film Role LanguageNotes2007 Chasme Bahadur Owner of Beer Shop Marathi Lage Raho Yadav BhaiyaBhojpuri 2011 Rada Rox Marathi 2013 Ronde Saare Vyah PichoChunnu Singh Dhillon Punjabi 2015 Kick 2 Dunna Telugu Dagdabaichi ChalYogesh Paul Marathi 2016 Bhagya Na Jaane Koi Madhav Awadhi 2017 Shrestha Bangali Kesto Master Bengali 2019 Chandigarh Amritsar Chandigarh Rickshaw Driver Punjabi
Television Year Title Role Notes 1999 Mungeri Ke Bhai Naurangilal 1992 Svapnavāsavadattam Vidūṣaka (comedian) Sanskrit serial on Doordarshan 2023 Pop Kaun? Sultan Qureshi 2026 Naagin 7 Special appearance; episode 30
Dubbing roles
Film title Actor Character Dub Language Original Language Original Year Release Dub Year Release Notes Sivaji: The Boss Vivek † Arivu Hindi Tamil 2007 2010
Awards and nominations YearAwardCategoryRoleFilmResultRef.2006Filmfare AwardsBest Performance in a Comic RoleWaqt: The Race Against Time (2005)2004IIFA AwardsBest Performance in a Comic RoleHungama (2003)2004Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003)2008Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007)2009Bhoothnath (2008)2001Screen AwardsBest Actor in a Negative RoleJungle (2000)2005Best ComedianMujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004)2006Main, Meri Patni Aur Woh (2005)2008Krazzy 42016Best Ensemble CastTailorWelcome Back (2015)2004Zee Cine AwardsBest Actor in a Supporting RoleMain Madhuri Dixit Banna Chahti Hoon (2003)2006Best Actor in a Comic RoleMain, Meri Patni Aur Woh (2005)2009Apsara AwardsBhoothnath (2008)2006Bollywood Movie AwardsBest Comic ActorMain, Meri Patni Aur Woh (2005)
References
External links
Rajpal Yadav at the British Film Institute