Rajpal Yadav’s Political Exit and Modi’s Influence
Rajpal Yadav, one of Bollywood’s most beloved comic actors, has always been known for his versatility on-screen. However, his foray into Indian politics almost a decade ago was a surprising move for many. In 2019, the actor officially stepped away from political life, citing an unexpected influence—Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Yadav, who founded the Sarva Sambhav Party (SSP), entered politics to advocate for causes close to his heart, especially environmental conservation. But as per his own admission, it was Modi’s environmental vision and national leadership that convinced him to walk away from the political spotlight and return to cinema. His statements reflect a unique intersection of celebrity, politics, and public policy.
From Comedy to Campaigns: Rajpal Yadav’s Political Journey
Rajpal Yadav launched the Sarva Sambhav Party (SSP) in 2014, expressing a deep interest in addressing India’s environmental and social issues. His vision was rooted in safeguarding “jal, jungle, zameen, paryavaran, pahad” (water, forest, land, environment, mountains)—an agenda he felt wasn’t prioritized enough in the political discourse.
While the move was widely covered, his party didn’t gain much electoral traction. Over the years, Yadav found it challenging to juggle his demanding film career with political commitments. The struggle to remain relevant in both arenas eventually led to introspection.
In 2019, he decided to permanently quit politics. But rather than calling it a failure or burnout, he framed his decision around a broader recognition—that the goals he set out to achieve were already being addressed on a national level.
PM Modi’s “One Earth” Vision: A Turning Point
In a candid interview, Yadav opened up about how Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s environmental initiatives were a game-changer for him. He specifically cited the PM’s “One Earth, One Family, One Future” slogan as being deeply aligned with his own political aspirations.
“I realized whatever changes I wanted to bring, have already been made by Modiji,” Yadav stated.
Actor Rajpal Yadav reflected on his short political journey with the Sarva Sambhav Party, saying he stepped back to focus on films. He cited PM Modi’s environmental initiatives as one reason for exiting politics.#RajpalYadav #Bollywood #Politics pic.twitter.com/ngVtD8xhZd
— First India (@thefirstindia) May 31, 2025
He praised the central government’s focus on sustainable development, clean energy, and global environmental cooperation—fields he once hoped to champion through his own platform.
By publicly aligning with Modi’s leadership, Yadav signaled his confidence in the direction of India’s environmental policies. His remarks also imply a form of non-partisan endorsement of national initiatives over individual political gain. This unexpected admiration from a celebrity-turned-politician resonates with a broader trend in India, where many public figures have cited Modi’s vision as a unifying force beyond party lines.
Returning to Art: Why Acting Remains His First Love
Aside from ideological alignment, Rajpal Yadav’s return to acting stems from personal passion and professional clarity. He emphasized that politics demands complete devotion, much like cinema, and attempting to divide attention between the two resulted in neither getting the focus they deserved.
“Art is my first love,” he said, explaining his decision to retreat from active politics.
Now fully committed to his film career, Yadav continues to make audiences laugh while subtly advocating for social issues through his roles. His journey reflects the complex balance celebrities face when crossing over into politics—a path that requires not just popularity, but policy fluency and 24/7 commitment.
