Salman Khan Defends Rajpal Yadav After Joke at Award Show Sparks Backlash
Mumbai: Bollywood star Salman Khan has come out in support of comedian Rajpal Yadav after a joke about the latter’s financial troubles at an award show triggered controversy on social media.
Rajpal Yadav has been facing a long-standing financial and legal dispute dating back to 2010, when he borrowed ₹5 crore for his film “Ata Pata Laapata.” After the film failed at the box office, he was unable to repay the loan, leading to a cheque bounce case and a three-month jail sentence in 2018. With penalties and interest, the outstanding amount has reportedly risen to around ₹9 crore.
Rajpal bhai aap 30 yrs se kaam kar rahe ho aur hum sabne aapko repeat kiya hai baar baar kyunki aap apna kaam jante ho aur ek value laate ho , kaam toh aapko bohot milega aur issi dollar rate pe milega aur milte rahega . Hakikat yeh hai .
Aur yeh yaad rakhna ke kabhi kabhi flow… pic.twitter.com/CzE86CCYXH— Salman Khan (@BeingSalmanKhan) April 7, 2026
During an award show held in Mumbai on April 5, host Saurabh Dwivedi made a remark referencing the debt while Rajpal Yadav was speaking about global currencies. The comment was widely criticized online as disrespectful toward the veteran actor.
Reacting to the backlash, Salman Khan shared an emotional message praising Rajpal Yadav’s 30-year career, saying he continues to bring value to his work and will keep getting opportunities regardless of financial setbacks. He encouraged him to stay focused and keep working with dedication.
.@BeingSalmanKhan Bhai, mere 30 saal ke safar ko sarahne ke liye bahut-bahut shukriya. Aap hamesha ek bade bhai ki tarah raasta dikhate aaye hain. Love you, Bhai, Naman! 😇🙏 https://t.co/ayiRTMVwlj
— Rajpal Naurang Yadav (@rajpalofficial) April 7, 2026
Rajpal Yadav responded by thanking Salman Khan for his support, calling him a guiding elder brother. However, he later released a video clarifying that the controversial segment was pre-planned with comedian Zakir Khan and Saurabh Dwivedi, and urged fans not to troll them.
🙏 @saurabhtop #ZakirKhan pic.twitter.com/jPRWjQL9a6
— Rajpal Naurang Yadav (@rajpalofficial) April 7, 2026
He emphasized that both individuals are like younger brothers to him and requested people not to spread negativity. Despite past challenges, Rajpal Yadav’s career is seeing a resurgence, with upcoming projects including the film “Bhoot Bangla,” directed by Priyadarshan and co-starring Akshay Kumar.
Priyadarshan also expressed support for Yadav, calling him one of Bollywood’s most innocent actors, signaling renewed confidence in his talent within the film industry.
