Veteran actor Rajeev VermaMil Gaya, known for films like Maine Pyar Kiya, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and Koi…, has revealed that he gradually drifted away from Bollywood and mainstream television despite being one of the most popular father figures on screen.In a recent interview with Dear Generation, Rajeev admitted that years of repetitive casting and menial jobs eventually made him lose interest in the industry.
‘Mujhe maza aana band ho gaya tha’
Talking about his decision to quit his regular acting jobs, Rajeev 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 actress revealed that she began to feel disconnected from work before the years completely drifted away. “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,” he shared.Rajeev added that after working non-stop for decades, 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 almost negligible ho gaya tha,” he said.
‘Industria aapko ek category mein fix kar deti hai’
Rajeev has also commented on how Bollywood often cast him in similar roles after the success of his earlier performances.“Ek tarah ka character aapne kar liya toh phir jo banane wale hain woh zyada nahi sochte. Woh sochte hain ‘pita ke role mein kaun chal raha hai?” Aur phir aap category mein fix ho jaate hain,” he explained.The actor said that producers repeatedly approached him with the same roles as a rich businessman or father after Maine Pyar Kiya became a blockbuster.“Har film mein wahi milta tha. Maine poocha character kya hai? Toh kehte the, ‘Sir wahi jo aapne usmein kiya tha.” Toh maine kaha main chhod deta hoon, mujhe maza nahi aa raha tha. Theater ka aadmi tha,” he recalled.
‘TV aur films office routine jaise ho gaye the’
Rajeev further shared that daily TV schedules started to feel like office work rather than creative satisfaction.“Subah pahunch jaaiye aur raat ke 10 baje ghar aaiye. Phir maine daftar ki tarah rule kar liya tha ki 10 baje pahunchunga aur shaam 8 baje tak bas. Mujhe laga yeh toh routine ho gaya,” he said.The actor eventually decided to switch to theatre, literature and drama teaching.
Rajeev Verma says theater is now his real passion
Today, Rajeev is actively involved with theater and runs his own theater troupe in Bhopal. He teaches theater and runs workshops.“Mujhe kitaabein padhne ka bahut shauk hai…theater mera passion hai,” he said, adding that he now wants to use theater as a medium to create positive social impact.The veteran actor also stressed that theater and the performing arts should be treated as essential tools for emotional sensitivity and communication, even in professions such as the police, medicine and administration.
