Rajeev Verma, who played Salman Khan's father in Maine Pyar Kiya, reveals why he quit Bollywood and TV: ‘Maza aana band ho gaya tha’

Veteran actor Rajeev Verma, known for films like Maine Pyar Kiya, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and Koi... Mil Gaya, has opened up about why he gradually stepped away from mainstream Bollywood and television despite being one of the most recognisable father figures on screen.

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 aana band ho gaya tha’

Talking about his decision to quit regular acting assignments, 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 actor revealed that he had already started feeling disconnected from the work years before he completely stepped 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 decades of non-stop 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 almost negligible ho gaya tha,” he said.

‘Industry aapko ek category mein fix kar deti hai’

Rajeev also spoke about how Bollywood often typecast him into 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 producers repeatedly approached him with the same rich businessman or father roles 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. Theatre ka aadmi tha,” he recalled.

‘TV aur films office routine jaise ho gaye the’

Rajeev further shared that daily television schedules started feeling more like office work 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 shift his focus back to theatre, literature and teaching drama.

Rajeev Verma says theatre is now his real passion

Today, Rajeev is actively involved with theatre and runs his own theatre group in Bhopal. He also teaches drama and conducts workshops.

“Mujhe kitaabein padhne ka bahut shauk hai... theatre mera passion hai,” he said, adding that he now wants to use theatre as a medium for creating positive social impact.

The veteran actor also stressed that theatre and performing arts should be treated as essential tools for emotional sensitivity and communication, even in professions like policing, medicine and administration.