Actor Rajpal Yadav, who has been in the spotlight after he surrendered in a 2012 cheque-bounce case in Tihar jail, has now addressed the controversy surrounding remarks made by filmmaker Priyadarshan. After spending about 12 days in prison, Rajpal was granted interim bail until March 18.
What Priyadarshan said?
During a recent interview amid Rajpal`s controversy, Priyadarshan opened up about his long association with the actor, recalling how he first noticed him in Jungle (2000) and later decided to cast him in Malamaal Weekly (2006). The director even revealed that he had asked producers of his next film to pay Rajpal more than his usual fee due to his current situation. “I told the producers [Jubilee Films] of my next to pay Rajpal more than what he charges because of his situation. We want to save him. The producers have agreed. Rajpal plays the villain in my movie,” the director had said.
He also went on to add that Rajpal had made a “blunder because of his poor education,” while describing him as a “good soul.” He alsp expressed a desire to support him.
Rajpal Yadav reacts
No, during a press conference, Rajpal strongly reacted to Priyadasrahn`s remark. “This is completely wrong. Priyanji doesn’t know me. I am a well-educated guy. I have been working since the age of 11 to 55. Even the biggest stalwarts land in trouble at some point, but that has nothing to do with their education. Had I been poorly educated, I wouldn’t have survived here for 25-30 years,” he said.
The actor went on to clarify that he holds Priyadarshan in high regard, however, the industry does not know the whole story, he added. “I respect three directors a lot — Mr. Ram Gopal Verma, David Dhawan and Priyadarshan. I look up to them. I have done more than 50 films with just the three of them. I am like Priyanji’s son. But Priyanji or anyone from Bollywood doesn’t know the whole story, so any judgments from them don’t hold value,” Rajpal said.
Yadav had reportedly borrowed Rs 5 crore in 2010 to fund his directorial venture, Ata Pata Laapata (2012). After the film failed at the box office, he was unable to pay off the loan and the unpaid dues over the years escalated to nearly Rs 9 crore.
