Veteran actor Raghubir Yadav, known for his roles in Panchayat, Lagaan, and the classic Mungerilal Ke Haseen Sapne, recently opened up about the harsh realities he faced long before fame found him. In a candid interview, the 68-year-old actor shared stories of sleeping at bus stands, being abandoned by friends, and surviving on a meager ₹2.50 per day—and sometimes even less.
Despite the severe poverty and uncertainty, Yadav refuses to call those days a “struggle.” Instead, he looks back at them as essential lessons that shaped the actor he is today.
Running Away from Home After Failing in Science
Yadav’s journey into the world of acting started unexpectedly. He was studying science, pressured to choose a path that promised a stable future. But he realized he was going to fail his board exams. Rather than waiting for the results, he decided to leave home.
He took off with a friend and ended up in Lalitpur, Uttar Pradesh. It was there that he stumbled upon a theatre troupe run by Madanlal Kapoor, the father of famous actor Annu Kapoor. That chance encounter changed his life.
Recalling those first days, Yadav said:
“Pehle din humne natak dekha aur fir vahin bus stand pe sogye. Subah uthe toh dost ke fufaji ke ghar gaye. 3-4 din mera dost mujhe chodhke bhaag gaya. Toh main yeh natak company ke malik, Madanlal Kapoor, ke pass gaya aur btaaya ki aisa aisa hai, ab main kya karun. I told him I can sing and auditioned with the song ‘Badli teri nazar to nazare badal gaye.’ Toh unhone 2.5 rupay rojana main mujhe rakhlia.”
(Translation: On the first day, we watched a theatre performance and then slept at the bus stand. The next morning, we went to my friend’s uncle’s house. After three or four days, my friend abandoned me. So I went to the owner of the theatre company, Madanlal Kapoor, and explained my situation. I told him I could sing and auditioned with the song. After hearing me, he hired me for a daily wage of two and a half rupees.)
Surviving on Roti and Tomato Chutney
Getting the job did not mean the hard times were over. The promised ₹2.50 was often not paid in full. Sometimes he received only ₹1, and when it rained, the company would give him just eight annas (equivalent to 50 paise in today’s currency).
Yadav shared how he and his companions managed to eat:
“Hum 4 aane ki roti, 4 aane ke tamatar laake roti chutney banake ped par rakh dete the. Vahan jua khelne waale bhi hote the, usmein haar jaate the toh humari roti khaa jaate the, hum shaam main bhookhe sote the.”
(Translation: We would buy bread for four annas and tomatoes for four annas, make a simple bread-and-chutney meal, and keep it on a tree. There were also gamblers around there, and when they lost their bets, they would eat our food. As a result, we often went to sleep hungry in the evenings.)
Despite going to bed hungry on many nights, Yadav did not give up. He used that time to learn Urdu, improve his pronunciation, and deeply immerse himself in music and theatre.
A Relative’s Remark Kept Him Away for 20 Years
After six months, Yadav briefly returned home. But the visit did not go well. A relative made a sarcastic remark that cut deep.
“He said, ‘We thought we’d only see you on a cinema screen.’ I felt so embarrassed that I left again the same night,” Yadav recalled.
That night, he walked out again. It would take nearly 20 years before he properly returned to his village. When he finally went back, he had already earned national and international recognition for his acclaimed film Massey Sahib.
‘I Never Considered My Life a Struggle’
What stands out most in Yadav’s interview is his refusal to call his difficult past a “struggle.” He sees it very differently.
“Acting is not easy, but it is enjoyable. People call it struggle, but I never considered my life a struggle. I worked hard and enjoyed the process.”
He also believes the word “struggle” is often romanticized. Every art form requires practice, he explained. Whether you are a musician, dancer, or actor, you have to keep learning forever. Even today, after five decades in the industry, he feels there is still so much left to learn.
“For me, life has always been a school, a place of learning.”
How Failing in Science Became a Blessing
Yadav shared that failing his science exam was actually the turning point of his life. If he had passed, he might have taken a different path and never discovered acting.
“Even today, I consider failing in science one of the greatest blessings of my life. Had I not failed, I might never have become an actor.”
After his time in Lalitpur, Yadav spent years doing theatre and puppet performances in Lucknow. He later secured admission to the National School of Drama (NSD) in 1974, which opened the door to a celebrated career.
From Bus Stands to National Fame
Over the years, Raghubir Yadav has built an impressive body of work. He became a household name with Mungerilal Ke Haseen Sapne on Doordarshan. His film credits include Salaam Bombay!, Lagaan, Peepli Live, Newton, Piku, and Sui Dhaaga.
Younger audiences know him today as Brij Bhushan Dubey, the lovable Pradhanpati in the hit web series Panchayat. The show’s fifth season is expected to arrive later this year, also starring Jitendra Kumar, Neena Gupta, Faisal Malik, and Chandan Roy.
His most recent film, The Narmada Story, directed by Zaigham Imam, released in theaters on June 12, 2026. The film also features Mukesh Tiwari and Ashwini Kalsekar.
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A Promise to His Father
During those early, uncertain days, Yadav wrote a letter to his father. He promised that he would never do anything to bring disgrace to the family. That promise, he says, kept him going through the hardest moments.
Looking back now, the actor who once slept on bus stops and ate whatever he could find is grateful for every hardship. Those hungry nights, he believes, taught him discipline, patience, and the value of never giving up.
Also Read: Welcome To The Jungle’s Trailer Hits Bullseye, Tops IMDb Most Anticipated Indian Films List
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