Veteran actor Rajeev Verma, known for films like Maine Pyar Kiya, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and Koi… Mil Gaya, opened up about why he is gradually moving away from the mainstream of Bollywood and television despite being one of the most popular on-screen patriarchal figures.Speaking in a recent interview with Dear Generation, Rajeev admitted that years of repetitive casting and routine work eventually made him lose interest in the industry.
“Mujhe maza anna band ho gaya tha”
Talking about his decision to give up regular acting duties, Rajiv said: “Dheere-dheere maza aana band ho gaya tha. Bas routine kaam tha ki yaar chalana hai Mumbai mein hai toh karein, yahi karte rahein.”The actor revealed that he actually started feeling disconnected from the business years before he left completely.
“Mujhe lagne laga tha ki yaar ab main chalta hoon, ab main nahi karta. Maza nahi aa raha mujhe. Waise bhi koi zarurat nahi thi. Hotel mera ek chhota sa hai yahan, woh chalta hai, daal roti hai, khush hain.”Rajeev added that after decades of continuous work, he wanted to spend more time with family and friends. “Yaar doston se milna, shaadi byaah mein jaana, rishtedaron se milna, family ke saath waqt guzarna… yeh sab negligible ho gaya tha,” he said.
“Industry aapko ek category mein fix kar deti hai”
Rajeev also spoke about how Bollywood often casts him in similar roles after the success of his previous shows.“Ek Tarah ka Character aapne kar liya toh phir jobanane wale hain woh zyada nahi sochte. Woh sochte hain’ pita ke role mein kaun chal raha hai?” He explained that the category Aur phir aap mein fix ho jaate hain.The actor said that producers repeatedly approached him for the same role of a rich businessman or a father after the film Maine Pyar Kiya became a hit.“Har film mein wahi milta tha. Maine poocha kya hai character? Toh kehte the, ‘Sir wahi jo aapne usmein kiya tha.’ Toh maine kaha main chhod deta hoon, mujhe maza nahi aa raha tha. He remembers the theater ka aadmi tha.
“The office routine of TV movies is gay ho gay”
Rajeev also shared that daily TV schedules are starting to feel more like office work than creative satisfaction.“Subh pahunchunga jay aur raat ki 10 baje ghar aye. Phir maine daftar ki Tarah rule kar liya tha ki 10 baje pahunchunga aur shaam 8 baje tak bas.
“Mujhe laga yeh toh rotin ho gaya,” he said.The actor eventually decided to shift his focus back to theater, literature, and teaching drama.
Rajeev Verma says theater has now become his true passion
Today, Rajeev is actively involved in theater and runs his own theater group in Bhopal. He also teaches drama and conducts workshops.“Mujhe kitaabein padhne ka bahut shauk hai… theater mera pashan hai,” he said, adding that he now wants to use theater as a means of making a positive social impact.The veteran actor also stressed that theater and performing arts should be treated as essential tools for emotional sensitivity and communication, even in professions like police, medicine and management.
