Rajpal Yadav performs comedy act for inmates in Tihar jail
As an actor, performing on stage is something of a specialty for Rajpal Yadav. He recently used this skill to entertain the inmates of Tihar jail in Delhi, where he's currently lodged. On November 30, the 47-year-old was sentenced to three months' imprisonment for failing to repay a loan of Rs. 5 crore he had borrowed to produce a movie. Here's more.
As inmate number 252, Yadav made his debut on the prison stage by doing a comedy act, as part of the kavi sammelan (poet's meet) program organized for the inmates of Tihar jail. Tihar jail officers said that Yadav, who had acted in over 200 Hindi films, gave a stand-up comedy performance and narrated a story to fellow inmates during the meet.
The audience had a hearty laugh and fully enjoyed Yadav's performance. A jail officer said, "His act was a laugh riot." He said there were several poets on stage but Yadav made sure everybody laughed. He added that everyone was awestruck to see a celebrity on stage, as Tihar jail had not had a popular face from the Bollywood industry since long.
"Tihar has had big politicians (Lalu Yadav, DMK MP Kanimozhi), cricketers, gangsters (Chhota Rajan), and terrorists but this is the first time in decades that the jail has had a popular actor as an inmate. He is keeping everyone in good humor," the official said.
Detailing how Yadav spends his days in jail, a jail official said he is often seen talking to inmates. He added that Yadav is also working on a play for Christmas. "The inmates have asked him to direct it. It'll be released on Christmas," he said. He said the inmates have planned to start a drama club in jail 7, where Yadav is lodged.
Apart from working on the play, Yadav keeps himself busy talking to inmates about his life in the movies and also gives them tips on how one can enter the film industry, according to jail officials. Yadav reportedly spends time in the jail's music room and has also been spotted writing many times. As he's a civil prisoner, he was allotted a single cell.
According to Joginder Singh Sehrawat, superintendent of jail number 7, "Yadav's conduct has been good." Sehrawat said that Yadav has not made any demands or asked to be treated differently. He spends his time in the library and they treat him like any other prisoner.
