When Nawazuddin Recalled Rajpal's House Being A "Langar" For Struggling Actors

Actor Rajpal Yadav's recent surrender at Tihar Jail in connection with a long-running cheque bounce and loan default case has brought renewed attention to his personal and professional journey. 

Amid the legal developments, an old interview of Nawazuddin Siddiqui with The Lallantop has resurfaced, offering a glimpse into a lesser-known side of Rajpal.

What Did Nawazuddin Siddiqui Say About Rajpal Yadav?

Nawazuddin recalled that many struggling actors depended on Rajpal for basic sustenance.

He had said, "A lot of people would eat at his home when Rajpal began to get good work, and he never complained. He always helped people. Not just me, when a lot of actors were struggling, his house was like a langar. Anybody could come and eat there. He jokes a lot, but in reality, he is a very sensitive human being."

Nawazuddin and Rajpal's friendship began long before either became a familiar face in Hindi cinema. The two trained together at Bharatendu Natya Academy in Lucknow and later at the National School of Drama in New Delhi.

Speaking about their academic background, Nawazuddin had said, "We only took training in acting for five years. If we speak academically, Rajpal and I have the most education in this industry (in acting). We don't look like it, but we're the most educated actors here (laughs). He is an amazing human being."

About Rajpal Yadav's Case

In recent years, Rajpal has been battling severe financial distress. The legal case that culminated in his surrender dates back to 2010 and involves unpaid loans and dishonoured cheques issued to a lender. 

After multiple cheques were returned unpaid, criminal proceedings were initiated under the Negotiable Instruments Act.

In April 2018, a magistrate's court convicted the actor and his wife in several cheque bounce cases, sentencing him to six months' imprisonment. The decision was upheld by a sessions court in 2019, following which he approached the Delhi High Court.

Although loan defaults are generally treated as civil matters, the High Court took a firm stance due to his repeated failure to honour payment commitments. He was granted several opportunities to clear his dues in instalments, but consistently missed deadlines.

The court later directed him to deposit Rs 1.35 crore in each of seven cases and ordered the release of deposited amounts to the complainant. In October 2025, he submitted two demand drafts worth Rs 75 lakh, yet nearly Rs 9 crore remained unpaid.

In June 2024, his sentence was temporarily suspended, with the court urging him to take "sincere and genuine measures" to resolve the matter. However, little progress followed. On February 2, 2026, the court instructed him to surrender by February 4. After failing to comply, his counsel's plea for more time was rejected.

On February 5, 2026, Rajpal appeared in court with a fresh repayment proposal, which was declined. He subsequently surrendered at Tihar Jail.

ALSO READ: How The Film Ata Pata Laapata Got Rajpal Yadav Sent To Tihar Jail In Rs 9-Crore Debt Case

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Journalist Ravi Nair Fined, Given One-Year Jail Term In Adani Defamation Case

The magistrate court in Mansa, Gandhinagar, has convicted journalist Ravi Nair in a criminal defamation case and sentenced him to a year's imprisonment and imposed a fine.

The case followed a complaint filed by Adani Enterprises Ltd (AEL), the Adani Group's flagship company, alleging that Ravi Nair published and disseminated a series of tweets containing false and defamatory statements intended to damage the reputation of AEL and the Adani Group.

AEL argued that the impugned tweets did not amount to fair comment or legitimate criticism but were designed to undermine the credibility of the company in the eyes of the public and investors.

After a full-fledged trial, the court held that AEL had successfully established its case and found Ravi Nair guilty of criminal defamation. The court convicted Ravi Nair and sentenced him to one year's imprisonment and imposed a fine.

Nair could not be immediately reached for comments.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

(Disclaimer: New Delhi Television is a subsidiary of AMG Media Networks Limited, an Adani Group Company.)

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When Big B Spoke About Rajpal Yadav's Struggles At Ata Pata Laapata Event

A decade-old moment of admiration involving Amitabh Bachchan and Rajpal Yadav has resurfaced amid the latter's ongoing legal troubles.

What Amitabh Bachchan Said About Rajpal Yadav

At the music launch of Rajpal Yadav's film Ata Pata Laapata in 2012, veteran actor Amitabh Bachchan made a special appearance. Speaking at the event, he said, "I feel very honoured that Rajpal has invited me here today and I have had the good fortune of working with him in the past."

He also acknowledged the struggles Rajpal had faced throughout his journey in the film industry and praised his dedication to his craft. 

Inside Rajpal Yadav's Decade-Long Legal Battle

Rajpal Yadav's legal troubles began in 2010, when he borrowed around Rs 5 crore from M/s Murali Projects Pvt Ltd to fund his directorial debut, Ata Pata Laapata. The film failed to perform at the box office, resulting in heavy financial losses and limited returns.

Unable to repay the loan, Rajpal faced mounting interest, penalties, and delayed payments, which eventually pushed the outstanding amount to nearly Rs 9 crore. In an attempt to settle the dues, he issued several cheques to the lender. These cheques were later dishonoured, leading to criminal proceedings under the Negotiable Instruments Act.

In April 2018, a magisterial court convicted Rajpal Yadav and his wife in multiple cheque bounce cases and sentenced him to six months in prison. The verdict was upheld by a sessions court in 2019, following which the matter reached the Delhi High Court.

Over the years, he was granted several extensions to repay the amount in instalments. While he made partial payments and offered repeated assurances, the court observed that he consistently failed to follow the agreed timelines.

The court noted that he was required to pay Rs 1.35 crore in each of the seven cases against him and directed that the amount deposited with the Registrar General be released to the complainant. In October 2025, two demand drafts of Rs 75 lakh were submitted, but nearly Rs 9 crore remained unpaid.

In June 2024, the High Court temporarily suspended his conviction on the condition that he make sincere efforts to reach an amicable settlement. These efforts were later found to be ineffective.

On February 2, 2026, the Delhi High Court directed Rajpal Yadav to surrender before jail authorities by 4 pm on February 4, observing that his repeated breaches of undertakings deserved strong criticism.

On February 5, 2026, Rajpal Yadav appeared in person before the court. His counsel informed the judge that he was ready to submit a demand draft of Rs 25 lakh and follow a fresh payment schedule. Despite the offer, the court declined to reconsider its order, stressing that compassion must be balanced with discipline and that no special treatment could be given based on professional background.

Later the same day, Rajpal Yadav surrendered at Tihar Jail and began serving his six-month sentence. 

ALSO READ: Why Is Rajpal Yadav In Tihar Jail? Rs 9-Crore Cheque-Bounce Case Explained

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Internet Stunned After Woman Reveals How Much Her Local Dry Cleaner Earns

White-collar jobs and fixed monthly paychecks are often seen as the safest path to building wealth. However, owning even a small business can be just as financially rewarding. In today's world, success and income are not always proportional to formal education, as practical skills, risk-taking, and hard work often matter far more than degrees on paper.

An example of it was recently seen when an X user revealed that her local dry cleaner earns over Rs 2 lakh a month. Nalini Unagar shared the story on X, saying the owner and his wife run the business with two helpers. The dry cleaner's monthly revenue is around Rs 283,500, with expenses like Rs 6,000 for electricity and Rs 40,000 for helpers' salaries, leaving a profit of Rs 237,500.

"Yesterday, I was talking with the dry cleaning shop owner near my house, where I regularly go. He and his wife both work together, and they have two helpers on salary. I was shocked when they said they earn around ₹2,00,000 per month, which is equal to a 10+ years experienced software engineer in India," the tweet was captioned on X. 

See the tweet here:

Yesterday, I was talking with the dry cleaning shop owner near my house, where I regularly go. He and his wife both work together, and they have two helpers on salary. I was shocked when they said they earn around ₹2,00,000 per month, which is equal to a 10+ years experienced… pic.twitter.com/BjPddpb9Me

— Nalini Unagar (@NalinisKitchen) February 9, 2026

Unagar also shared the shop owner's income breakdown. On a daily basis, they iron around 350 clothes at Rs 10 each, earning Rs 3,500, and dry-clean 20 heavy garments at Rs 350 each, adding Rs 7,000 daily. This totals Rs 10,500 daily, and with only 3 days off monthly, their estimated revenue is Rs 283,500.

"After cutting all the expenses, they get a profit of ₹2,37,500. They told me these figures are from last month, but on average, they earn ₹2 lakh+ every month," she added in the tweet. 

Social Media Reaction

The post sparked a lively discussion on X, with many users pointing out that it highlights the gap between perceived social status and actual economic value. Others were impressed by the dry cleaner's earnings, calling it a great example of entrepreneurial success. 

One user wrote, "We often chase white collar jobs for good salaries, but information like this prove that running your own business small or big , if done with real interest, can be just as rewarding sometimes even more.Thanks for sharing.."

"We're conditioned to run after white-collar jobs and fixed paychecks, but stories like this remind us that owning a business—small or big—can be equally fulfilling, and sometimes far more rewarding, when done with genuine passion. Appreciate you sharing this perspective," another commented.

"Why are you surprised? Small business owners have huge earning capacity if there is a conducive business environment. This was the backbone of America," a third user said.

A fourth user added, "Wow, that's impressive! It's great to see small business owners doing well. It really shows how hard work pays off."

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For Chandrayaan-4, India May Head Back To Moon's "Gold Rush Zone"

India has opened the world's eyes to the Moon's south polar "gold rush region". Now Chandrayaan 4 - the first ambitious lunar sample return mission, likely around 2028 -- homes in on same region to land. From Shiv Shakti Point to Mons Mouton Mountain, the Indian Space Research Organisation or ISRO is now narrowing down potential landing zones near the Moon's tallest mountain.

India had drawn global attention to the Moon's south polar region nearly two decades ago. Now it could be the landing pad for its most ambitious lunar mission yet -- Chandrayaan 4 - which aims to bring pieces of the Moon back to Earth.

Scientists at ISRO say they have identified a promising cluster of potential landing sites close to Mons Mouton, the Moon's highest mountain and one of the most scientifically intriguing regions near the South Pole.

Using ultra sharp images from the Chandrayaan 2 orbiter, researchers have been quietly mapping hazards, slopes and sunlight conditions to zero in on terrain, which offers both safety and scientific payoff.

The move marks a significant moment in India's long and increasingly influential relationship with the lunar South Pole -- a region now seen globally as the Moon's most valuable real estate because of its ancient geology and the possibility of water ice locked in permanently shadowed craters.

India's Long South Pole Connection

India is the only country to have reached the lunar South Polar region three times. Chandrayaan 1's Moon Impact Probe struck close to the South Pole in 2008, sending back data that would soon change lunar science. Chandrayaan 2 followed in 2019 but crash landed during its final descent. In 2023, Chandrayaan 3 achieved a historic soft landing at Shiv Shakti Point, making India the first nation to land safely so close to the South Pole.

That continuity matters. It also underpins India's quiet but firm scientific claim to the region -- a claim rooted not in geopolitics but in discovery.

It was Chandrayaan 1 that, for the first time, detected clear signatures of water molecules on the Moon's surface. That single finding reshaped global lunar priorities. Since then, American, Chinese, Russian and private missions have all set their sights on the South Pole, hoping to tap water or ice that could one day support human habitats, fuel production and deep space missions.

In many ways, India opened the door to what is now widely described as the south polar gold rush.

Why Mons Mouton Matters

The focus on Mons Mouton is no coincidence. Rising dramatically above the surrounding terrain, the mountain sits in a region that balances competing demands: scientific richness, long periods of sunlight for solar power, and relatively gentle slopes for landing.

ISRO scientists have used high resolution stereo images, sharp enough to spot boulders barely a third of a metre across, to assess multiple candidate sites around the mountain. From these, a handful of kilometre scale zones have emerged as strong contenders, with one area standing out for having fewer hazards, smoother terrain and more consistently sunlit patches. The site being examined closely is called MM1located at about 86 degrees latitude which has the minimum hazards for a robotic soft landing.

For Chandrayaan 4, landing safety is not just about touching down. It is about taking off again.

A Mission Unlike Any India Has Flown Before

Chandrayaan 4 will be India's first mission to collect samples from the Moon and return them to Earth, a feat achieved so far by only a few countries. The spacecraft will land near the South Pole, scoop and drill lunar soil, seal the samples, and then launch an ascent module from the Moon's surface to rendezvous in lunar orbit.

The samples will eventually be brought home inside a re entry capsule, splashing down or landing on Indian soil for detailed laboratory analysis.

This leap builds directly on Chandrayaan 3, which proved that India could land precisely, operate robotic systems on the surface and even perform short "hops" with a lander. Chandrayaan 4 adds entirely new layers of complexity -- lunar lift off, docking in orbit, contamination free sample handling and a controlled return through Earth's atmosphere.

ISRO plans to launch the mission using two heavy lift Launch Vehicle Mark 3 or LVM3 rockets, assembling the spacecraft in Earth orbit before sending it onward to the Moon.

Why Samples Matter

Lunar samples tell stories that orbiters and surface instruments cannot. The Apollo and Soviet Luna missions returned material decades ago, but mostly from geologically similar regions. China's Chang'e 5 mission filled one important gap by bringing back younger volcanic material.

The South Pole represents something different: ancient, largely untouched lunar crust, potentially mixed with volatiles preserved for billions of years. Studying such samples could help scientists reconstruct how the Moon formed, how it cooled, and how water and other elements moved across its surface over time.

Once on Earth, the samples will be examined not just with today's instruments, but with technologies yet to be invented, ensuring their scientific value lasts for generations.

Setting Stage For The future

Chandrayaan 4 is expected to fly around 2028, and ISRO is already looking beyond it. Follow on missions, including Chandrayaan 5 in collaboration with Japan, are expected to deepen India's presence in the same south polar neighbourhood. 

The Indo-Japanese mission -- often called LUPEX -- will also target to land in the South Polar Region but hopefully closer to the South Pole itself and look directly for water ice.

Together, these missions will also serve a larger goal: preparing India for human exploration beyond low Earth orbit. The technologies being tested, autonomous docking, precision navigation, safe re entry, are essential stepping stones toward one day landing Indian astronauts, or Gaganyatris, on the Moon and bringing them back safely hopefully by 2040.

Nearly twenty years after Chandrayaan 1 changed how the world looks at the Moon, India is once again shaping the next phase of lunar exploration. This time, it is not just opening eyes, it is choosing where to dig.

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"Trade Negotiation A Two-Way Thing": Amul Chief Allays Farmers' Concerns

The India-US trade deal has sparked huge concern among the country's farmers, who feel that cheaper American products coming into the country will add to the challenges they face. The dairy sector, however, feels that those concerns might be misplaced. 

In an exclusive interview with NDTV, Amul's Managing Director  Jayan Mehta said the agreement strongly protects the farmers and the agriculture sector and give them invaluable access to the US market. 

"Market access is a very important part and a trade negotiation is always a two-way thing," he told NDTV. 

"The negotiations were necessary to get larger market access and that was done with this deal. More importantly, the tariffs also coming down from 50 to 18 per cent, will bring in the Indian products, getting better access to those markets and paving a way for the brighter future for all those associated with this sector," he added. 

"One of the key important aspects of the dairy industry and the livestock sector is cattle feed," he said, citing the example of Amul which works with 36 lakh farmers across 18,600 villages of Gujarat and collect and handle about 350 lakh litres of milk every day. 

One of the things Amul needs, he said, is to provide good quality cattle feed, which has a "combination of variety of agricultural-based ingredients like de-oiled rice bran, which comes after the extraction of oil from the husk of the paddy, to maize, rapeseed extractions and molasses".

"At Amul, we have about 8 plants manufacturing close to 12,000 tonnes of cattle feed every day," he said, but even here, India is not importing items for which there is little use, he said, giving the example of DDGS (Distillers Dried Grains with Solubles), a little of which is used in cattle feed.

India has also abundance availability of DDGS because we also started manufacturing ethanol from maize... but you cannot use more than 3 to 4% of DDGS in this.  So, there is no practical advantage of having that commodity coming into the country under the free trade agreement," he said.

"So, per se, there is nothing to worry for the cattle feed sector, for the dairy sector and for the farm sector... announced in the recent trade negotiation," he added.

The famer organisations of the country -- spearheaded by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha and All India Kisan Sabha -- have announced a one-day strike on February 12.

In a statement, the SKM alleged that the deal was a "total surrender" of Indian agriculture and farmers to American multinational corporations. 

"The framework is an abject rejection of the claim of the Commerce Minister that the agriculture and dairy sectors are out of the Free Trade Agreements (FTA) and the Government of India will not make any compromise on the interests of agriculture," read a statement from the farmers' groups.

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Video Shows 3 Men Catcalling Northeast Woman At Temple, Internet Fumes

A disturbing video documenting three men catcalling and following a woman while she was walking to a temple in India has surfaced on social media. The incident has sparked significant outrage and debate regarding women's safety. Chiro, who is from Northeast India, shared the video on Instagram, opening up about the incident. She mentioned that the men assumed she didn't understand Hindi. She wrote, "They thought I didn't understand Hindi, and, to be honest, this is so f wrong but then also, these kinds of things are happening to me just because I look a little different."

In the video, she's heard saying, "The weirdest species in the world would be Indian men when they see a girl walking alone. I'm on my way to the temple, and these guys have been catcalling me non-stop." The video shows three men following her, smiling, singing a Bollywood song loudly, and gesturing towards the camera. Despite being filmed, the three men continued to follow her. She clarified later that she only felt safe once she stopped and waited for friends to join her.

Here's the video:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Chiro (@chiro_diaries)

Chiro also addressed accusations of staging the video for attention. She explained her reason for posting was to address the situation, not seek publicity. She also mentioned she's smiling in the video because she wanted to handle it calmly, and people shouldn't expect her to cry on camera.

Social Media Reaction

The video sparked outrage and concern, with many commenting on the men's audacity to harass a woman in a public space with no fear of consequences. Many also praised Chiro for her courage, noting how many wouldn't have dared to record the incident. One user wrote, "I will say again upbringing, morals, environment along with education on etiquette is what men in India need every sec."

Another commented, "The fact that they aren't even threatened of you recording their inappropriate behaviour they still have the audacity to smile seeing the camera. The country is never going to 'progress' when women can't even walk around freely."

A third user stated, "The audacity of these type of men is scary."

"Bro, this is honestly terrifying to me. I don't think I would've had the courage to record it like you did; you are really brave. It's even scared me how normalised this has become at this level that they don't even feel shame anymore because they know the justice system rarely holds them accountable," a fourth added. 

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