Contents
Rajeev Verma is an Indian actor, director, and architect. He is known for his work in Hindi films and television series. He has worked in various popular films including ‘Maine Pyar Kiya’ (1989) and ‘Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam’ (1999).
Wiki/Biography
Rajeev Verma was born on Tuesday, 28 June 1949 (age 74 years; as of 2023) in Hoshangabad (now Narmadapuram) in Madhya Pradesh. Later, he moved to Bhopal with his family. His zodiac sign is Cancer. He received a bachelor’s degree in Architecture from Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology. Later, he received a master’s degree in Urban Design from Delhi’s School of Planning and Architecture.
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 9″
Hair Colour: Salt & Pepper
Eye Colour: Black
Family
Parents & Siblings
His father’s name is Babulal Verma, he was a freedom fighter.
Wife & Children
He is married to Rita Bhaduri. She is an educationist and a theatre artist. Together, they have two sons. His son, Shiladitya Verma, is an artist and dramatist, and Tathagat Verma, is a software engineer.
Rajeev Verma with his wife and son Tathagat Verma (extreme right)
Other Relatives
Amitabh Bachchan is his brother-in-law as Rajeev’s wife, Rita Bhaduri, is the sister of Jaya Bachchan.
Rajeev Verma (second from left) with Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan
Career
Theatre
Rajeev Verma started his career as a theatre artist in Bhopal. He has performed as an actor in various theatre plays. He later got associated with the theatre group ‘Bhopal Theatres.’ He has also worked as a director for several stage plays such as ‘Bheetari Deewaren’ (2022), ‘Bhag Avanti Bhag’ (2022), ‘Choti-Badi Baatein’ (2023), and ‘Chauthi Cigarette’ (2023).
Poster of the theatre play ‘Chauthi Cigarette’
He has also designed the sets for the plays ‘Bheetari Deewaren’ and ‘Bhag Avanti Bhag.’
Television
Rajeev Verma made his television debut in 1987 with the TV serial ‘Chaunauti,’ broadcast on the channel DD National. In 1988, he appeared in the TV series ‘Mujrim Haazir,’ aired on Doordarshan. The series is based on the novel ‘Asami Hazir,’ written by Bimal Mitra. He made an episodic appearance in the detective-crime drama TV series ‘Suraag – The Clue’ (1999), which aired on DD National. In 2002, he essayed the role of Vijay Singhania in the television drama series ‘Lipstick,’ which was broadcast on Zee TV.
Rajeev Verma (left) in a still from the TV series ‘Lipstick’
His performance as Pandit Brijmohan Shastri in the TV series ‘Chotti Bahu’ (2008) received immense appreciation from the audience. The series was broadcast on Zee TV. In 2011, he played the role of Satyadev Kaushik in the TV series ‘Mrs. Kaushik Ki Paanch Bahuein,’ which aired on Zee TV.
Rajeev Verma (left) in a still from the TV series ‘Mrs. Kaushik Ki Paanch Bahuein’
He has acted in various TV series including ‘Dishayen’ (2001) on DD National, ‘Sanjivani: A Medical Boon’ (2002) on StarPlus, ‘Kucchh Pal Saath Tumhara’ (2003) on Sahara One, ‘Ayushmaan’ (2004) on Sony Entertainment Television, and ‘Betiyaan Apni Ya…Paraya Dhan’ (2006) on Star One.
Film
Rajeev Verma made his film debut with the Bollywood film ‘Maine Pyar Kiya’ (1989), starring Salman Khan. Verma played the role of Kishan Kumar Chaudhary in the film.
Rajeev Verma (right) in a still from the film ‘Maine Pyar Kiya’
In 1992, he appeared in the film ‘Nishchaiy’ in which he played the role of Manohar Singh. He appeared alongside Govinda in the film ‘Pardesi Babu’ (1998) in which he essayed the role of Mr Chopra. He received immense appreciation for his performance as Vikramjeet in the film ‘Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam’ (1999).
Rajeev Verma in a still from the film ‘Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam’
In 2003, the actor essayed the role of Nisha’s (played by Preity Zinta) father in the film ‘Koi… Mil Gaya.’ He appeared as Mirchi Baba in the Amitabh Bachchan starrer film ‘Buddha… Hoga Tera Baap’ in 2011. He played the role of Judge A.P Chaudhry in the 2016 film ‘Wah Taj.’
Rajeev Verma in a still from the film ‘Wah Taj’
Some of his other films include ‘Deedar’ (1992), ‘Kachche Dhaage’ (1999), ‘Hum Saath-Saath Hain’ (1999), ‘Andaaz’ (2003), ‘Deadline: Sirf 24 Ghante’ (2006), and ‘Bazaar E Husn (2014).
Controversy
Accused of being affiliated with the RSS
In April 2019, Congress leaders Narendra Singh Saluja and Kamal Nath filed a complaint against Rajeev Verma at the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO-MP) office in Bhopal. In the complaint, they demanded that Rajeev Verma should be removed from the post of state icon of the Election Commission in Madhya Pradesh. They alleged that Verma was associated with an art organisation named Sanskar Bharati, which they claimed was affiliated with Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
Awards
- Kala Saarthi Awards in 2023
- Zee Rishtey Award for Favourite Saas-Sasur for the TV series ‘Mrs. Kaushik Ki Paanch Bahuein’ in 2011
Note: He has many more accolades to his name.
Facts/Trivia
- His name is also spelt as Rajive Verma.
- He had a passion for acting since childhood. He used to participate in stage plays during his school and college days.
- Before becoming an actor, he served as a govt employee.
- He has also worked as an architect in Bhopal.