Businessman Madhav Gopal Agrawal, who filed the cheque bounce case against actor Rajpal Yadav, has now spoken publicly about his version of events.
The dispute dates back to 2012, when Agrawal lent Rs 5 crore to Yadav for the actor’s directorial project Ata Pata Laapata.
Agrawal, who represents M/s Murali Projects Pvt Ltd, said he was introduced to Yadav through MP Mithilesh Kumar Katheria. The businessman claimed he had explained the repayment timeline to the actor. According to him, the actor had said the film was close to completion and urgently needed funds, warning that delays in financing could jeopardise the project.
Though hesitant at first, Agrawal said he eventually agreed to extend the loan after receiving emotional messages from Yadav’s wife, Radha, requesting assistance. He stressed that the contract clearly stated the repayment obligation was independent of the film’s release, box office performance, censor clearance, or any other factor. He added that Yadav had also provided a personal guarantee.
Citing personal guarantees and post-dated cheques, Agrawal claimed that the amount was given purely as a loan and not as an investment.
When the repayment deadlines passed without any payment, Agrawal contacted Yadav, who allegedly said he did not have the money at the time. This resulted in three additional agreements being signed and fresh cheques being issued.
In an interview with News Pinch, Agrawal claimed that he cried in front of Rajpal Yadav “like a child”, pleading him to return the money.
Agrawal also said that when Amitabh Bachchan attended the film’s music launch, he realised that under the terms of the agreement, he was entitled to receive the film’s negatives and repayment upon completion. He then approached the court and secured a stay on the film’s release.
He claimed that Yadav later told him repayment would only be possible after the film was released in theatres. Relying on this assurance, Agrawal agreed to withdraw the stay order. However, the film did not perform well commercially.
By 2013, with the matter still unresolved, Agrawal returned to court. Following legal intervention, both sides agreed on a settlement amount of Rs 10.40 crore. Agrawal said Yadav issued several cheques toward repayment, but all were dishonoured, further prolonging the legal battle.
Agrawal said his primary aim as a businessman is to recover the money owed to him.
