Renowned character actor and comedian Rajpal Yadav has broken his silence regarding recent comments made by veteran filmmaker Priyadarshan. In a rare moment of public disagreement with his long-time collaborator, Yadav hit back at the suggestion that his recent financial and legal hurdles were the result of “poor education.”
The controversy erupted after Priyadarshan, who has directed Yadav in several cult classics like Hungama and Chup Chup Ke, spoke to the media about the actor’s current debt crisis. While calling Yadav a “good soul,” the director suggested that the actor had made a “blunder” in his business dealings due to a lack of formal schooling.
Setting the Record Straight
Responding to these claims in a recent interview, Rajpal Yadav was quick to clarify his credentials, expressing surprise at the director’s misconception.
“I respect Priyan-ji a lot, but I can’t understand why he made this statement,” Yadav said. “I am a well-educated person. I am a proud graduate of the National School of Drama (NSD). I have my degrees to prove it.”
Yadav, who has spent over three decades in the industry, emphasized that his academic journey began long before he stepped onto a film set. He detailed his background, noting that he holds a Bachelor’s degree in Hindi Literature and completed a diploma at the Bhartendu Natya Academy (BNA) in Lucknow before honing his craft at the prestigious NSD in New Delhi.
The Industry Paradox
The actor argued that in the world of cinema, educational certificates are rarely discussed on set, which might have led to the misunderstanding.
“When I chose to become an actor, I didn’t carry my degrees to the studio. This is one profession where your qualification doesn’t count on camera,” he explained. He further noted that the financial crisis involving a 2010 loan for his directorial debut, Ata Pata Laapata, was a business setback that could happen to anyone, regardless of their schooling.
“Even the biggest stalwarts land in trouble at some point, but that has nothing to do with education. Had I been poorly educated, I wouldn’t have survived in this competitive industry for 30 years,” Yadav added.
No Bitterness, Only Professionalism
Despite the “uneducated” remark, Yadav maintained a tone of respect for the filmmaker. He listed Priyadarshan as one of the “Big Three” directors—alongside Ram Gopal Varma and David Dhawan—to whom he remains eternally indebted for his career.
Total collaborations: Over 50 films with the trio combined. Relationship: Yadav described himself as being “like a son” to Priyadarshan. Future Projects: The two are set to reunite for the upcoming Akshay Kumar-starrer Bhooth Bangla.
Yadav concluded by stating that while he appreciates the director’s concern, the “full story” of his legal matters is known only to a few people from his hometown of Shahjahanpur. He expressed confidence that the situation would be sorted soon, reaffirming his passion for the craft over the controversy. To know such latest updates tuned tellyboosters.com Thank you!
