Veteran actor Rajpal Yadav was a guest of honour at the Mid-Day Showbiz Awards this past weekend, where his contribution to cinema was acknowledged with a nomination for his impactful role in the Varun Dhawan-starrer Baby John. Known for his impeccable comic timing and unforgettable screen presence, Yadav left audiences stunned this time with his intense action sequence—a performance that drew unexpected applause.

While he’s long been celebrated for his unique brand of comedy, Yadav’s body of work spans a range of genres, including negative roles and now, high-octane action. Expressing his gratitude, the actor said, “I have an internal love and appreciation for Mid-Day and a bonding I share with them—like they are my family. And today, by recognising my worth beyond 'comedy is a serious business,' they have reinstated my faith in them.”

Rajpal Yadav is the desi Jackie Chan

Reflecting on the shift in his onscreen image, Rajpal shared how his action scenes led to questions from fans and colleagues alike, “Many people have asked me why hadn’t we seen you in an action role for so many years, and I had only one thing to say which is the truth—I hadn’t been presented with an opportunity. Once I was, I grabbed it. And as you can see, that character has the character has received a lot of love from the audiences.”