Rajpal Yadav BREAKS SILENCE on Saurabh Dwivedi's dig at him "Saurabh ke liye koi bhi baat........"

What began as a light-hearted moment at the Screen Awards 2026 soon turned into a talking point online. Actor Rajpal Yadav found himself at the centre of attention after hosts Zakir Khan and Saurabh Dwivedi made a joke referencing his past cheque bounce case.

The remark, delivered on stage in front of a live audience, drew laughter but also raised eyebrows. In viral clips, Rajpal appeared momentarily taken aback before attempting to respond. Social media quickly split into two camps, those who found the humour harmless and those who felt the comment crossed a line by touching on a personal legal issue.

Rajpal Yadav clears the air

As reactions intensified, Rajpal chose to address the situation directly. In a video message shared on his social media, the actor dismissed the controversy and urged people not to target the hosts.

He explained that the segment was part of a scripted act designed to entertain, adding that award shows often include such comic bits. Emphasising the intent behind it, Rajpal said the effort was simply to make people smile during challenging times.

More importantly, he stood firmly by Zakir and Saurabh, calling them close friends and even likening them to younger brothers. He requested fans and viewers not to misinterpret the moment or direct negativity towards them. For Rajpal, the matter was never personal, it was performance.

Salman Khan steps in with support

Amid the online chatter, Salman Khan added his voice in support of Rajpal. Praising his long-standing contribution to cinema, Salman highlighted the actor’s decades-long journey and the value he brings to every role.

His words struck a chord with fans, reinforcing the respect Rajpal commands within the industry. The veteran actor, who briefly faced jail time earlier this year in connection with the cheque bounce case before securing bail, has since maintained a low profile, making this public clarification all the more significant.

With Rajpal’s statement putting things into perspective, the controversy now appears to have settled. What seemed like a moment of discomfort has been reframed as a misunderstood act of humour.