When Rajpal Yadav Spoke About Losing His First Wife at 20: ‘I Was Supposed to Meet Her, But Carried Her Body Instead’

Actor Rajpal Yadav once shared a deeply emotional moment from his early life, recalling how his first wife Karuna died shortly after childbirth when he was just 20, and how he carried her body because he couldn’t meet her as planned.

Bollywood actor Rajpal Yadav opened up about one of the most painful moments of his early life in an old interview, recalling the loss of his first wife Karuna shortly after she gave birth to their daughter when he was just around 20 years old.

A Tragedy at a Young Age

Rajpal revealed that he was young when tragedy struck. At a time when early marriage was common for men with steady jobs, his family arranged his marriage. But happiness was short-lived: his first wife Karuna died soon after delivering their daughter, Jyoti, in 1991.

He shared the haunting memory:

“I was supposed to meet her the next day, but instead I carried her dead body on my shoulders.”

That moment had a profound impact on him, as he suddenly faced life as a young father without his partner.

Support of Family Comes Next

Rajpal credited his family’s love and support for helping his daughter grow up with affection despite the loss. He said his mother and sister-in-law made sure that Jyoti never felt deprived of a mother’s love.

The actor later focused on building his life and career, eventually training at the National School of Drama (NSD) and entering television and films.

Finding Love Again

Years after the tragedy, Rajpal met Radha during the shoot of the film The Hero in 2001. They remained in touch and eventually married in 2003 with their families’ blessings. Radha has often been credited by Rajpal as a pillar of strength and support in his life.

Radha also raised Rajpal’s daughter Jyoti from his first marriage as her own, highlighting the deep role she played in stabilising his family.

Challenges Later in Life

Despite his successful career as a comedian and character actor, Rajpal has faced recent legal and financial difficulties related to a debt case from his 2010 film Ata Pata Laapata. He surrendered to authorities in February 2026 after the Delhi High Court ordered him to serve time due to cheque-bounce cases.

During this difficult period, many in the film industry have come forward to support him, both emotionally and financially, as he navigates these challenges.

Also Read : Why Is Rajpal Yadav in Tihar Jail? Rs 9 Crore Cheque-Bounce Case Explained