Rajpal Yadav–Akshay Kumar viral video: Was the comedian sidelined at Bhooth Bangla event? Here’s what he said

A viral clip from the promotions of Bhooth Bangla stirred chatter online after it appeared that Akshay Kumar asked Rajpal Yadav to move aside during a group photo. Social media users quickly read the moment as a snub. But Rajpal has now stepped in to clear the air, saying the gesture had nothing to do with disrespect and everything to do with how Akshay prefers group photos to be arranged.

Rajpal Yadav, Akshay Kumar viral video

The video, shot during a promotional appearance, featured Akshay posing with Priyanka Chahar Chaudhary, Ekta Kapoor and Kanika Mann. In the clip, Rajpal arrives late and is seen being asked to shift position, triggering speculation that he was being sidelined.

Rajpal Yadav explains what really happened

Rajpal dismissed the controversy and explained the context behind the moment in his interaction with ANI.


“If I talk about the controversy of that day, both Akshay and Ekta had come along with the other two girls. I was late, and they were waiting for me. As soon as I came running, I was in the middle of the girls. So Akshay paji was telling me that we will keep the women in the middle, and I will stand on one side, and he will stand on the other,” he told ANI.

‘This is Akshay’s values’: a habit, not a snub

According to Rajpal, the gesture reflects a long-standing practice that Akshay follows during public appearances.

“This is actually the deep-rooted moral values of Akshay Paji... I don’t know what people thought from a distance. Actually, Akshay sir has this gesture that when there are three girls and two males, the three females are always in the middle, with one male on one side and the other male on the other side,” he added.

Addressing their bond, Rajpal spoke about his long association with Akshay, which goes back to their early collaborations.

“Akshay Paji... from Mujhse Shaadi Karogi to Bhooth Bangla, we must have shouted at each other ten times, rehearsed ten times... In life, he loves me, I love him, and I get inspired by him somewhere. We know each other’s acting, and we respect each other a lot,” he said.

The two actors have worked together in films like Hera Pheri, Bhagam Bhag, Bhool Bhulaiyaa and Khatta Meetha, building a popular on-screen partnership over the years.

Focus shifts back to Bhooth Bangla

With the speculation now addressed, attention returns to Bhooth Bangla, directed by Priyadarshan. The film also features Tabu and Wamiqa Gabbi, and is scheduled to release in theatres on April 10.

For now, what looked like a controversy appears to be a case of context missing from a few seconds of video—something that social media rarely waits to verify.

Rajpal Yadav’s cheque bounce case

Rajpal Yadav is currently out on interim bail in a Rs 9 crore cheque bounce case, with the Delhi High Court extending relief till April 1 and the actor choosing to contest the matter in court instead of settling it. Rajpal Yadav has recently received temporary relief from the Delhi High Court. The court extended his interim bail till April 1, 2026, and clarified that he will not be sent back to jail for now.

The relief came after the court noted that the actor has already made “substantial payments” towards the pending amount.

In a significant shift, Rajpal has now decided not to settle the case out of court. Instead, he plans to fight it legally and present arguments before the court during the next hearing. The case dates back to a loan taken for his film Ata Pata Laapata, which later escalated to nearly ₹9 crore due to unpaid dues.