Here's everything you need to know about Indian actor, Rajeev Verma, who is married to Jaya Bhaduri's sister, Rita Bhaduri.
Rajeev Verma is one of the most popular actors of his era. Courtesy of his exceptional acting in a series of renowned films, he became a household name for the cinephiles, who had seen him in most of the late 90s and early 2000s films. Despite working with some of the biggest actors of his era, Rajeev Verma always preferred to live a low-key life. From skipping Bollywood parties to not attending glamorous events, Rajeev Verma is hands-down one of the most sought-after actors in Hindi cinema.
The iconic Indian actor, Rajeev Verma appeared in a series of memorable films like Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Koi Mil Gaya, Hum Saath Saath Hain, Kachche Dhaage, Biwi No.1, Laila Majnu, Maine Pyar Kiya, Himmatwala, Chalte Chalte, Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega, Karz: The Burden of Truth, and many more. The actor is best known for playing fatherly roles in his career. However, what's interesting is that Rajeev Verma played Salman Khan's onscreen dad in so many films that some people started thinking that he was his real-life father.
In an old interview with NDTV, Rajeev Verma talked about playing Salman Khan's onscreen father in the iconic film, Maine Pyar Kiya. The film broke the box office and became one of the biggest hits of its era. The film impacted people so much that they thought that Rajeev Verma was the real-life father of Bollywood superstar, Salman Khan. Sharing his thoughts on the film's success, Rajeev added that the film will always remain green for every generation. He said:
"Let me tell you, even today people call me Salman Khan's father. People still remember the dialogue of the film. This film will always remain green."
Everyone is aware of Rajeev Verma's impressive filmography and the kind of films he has featured in. However, some interesting details about his personal life are unknown to most people. For the uninitiated, Rajeev Verma is the brother-in-law of Bollywood megastar, Amitabh Bachchan. Yes! You read it right. Rajeev is married to Jaya Bachchan's sister, Rita Verma. While Jaya is a renowned Bollywood actress, Rita is an educationist who works far from the media spotlight in her hometown, Bhopal.
Rajeev Verma and Rita Bhaduri met each other for the first time while working in the theatres. As per multiple reports, Rajeev and Rita became friends while working together and as time passed, the duo fell in love with each other. After dating for three years, they finally took the plunge and married in 1976. The couple welcomed two children, Shiladitya Verma and Tathagat Verma. Fast forward to 2025, Rajeev and Rita are happily married and living a beautiful life with their children.
Talking about Rajeev Verma's educational background, he obtained an architectural degree from Bhopal's prestigious Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology. The actor also earned a master's degree in urban design from Delhi's School of Planning and Architecture. After completing his professional degrees, Rajeev started working as an architect in a government company and earned a good salary. The actor never wanted to become an actor but had done some 2-3 theatre plays during college time.
As a result, one day, one of Rajeev Verma's relatives told him that Rajshri Productions was looking for a young man who could play Salman Khan's father. Rajeev went to Mumbai for the auditions, and the rest is history. On the other hand, Rajeev's wife, Rita Verma, was pursuing a master's degree and preparing for the IAS examinations. However, for personal reasons, Rita quit preparing for the IAS exams and started working as an English professor at a Central School.
The couple's mutual love for theatre is why they fell in love, and even today, Rita Verma is still running a theatre in Bhopal by the name of Bhopal Theatres Group, which speaks volumes about her love for theatre. Despite contributing so much to Indian theatre and cinema, Rita and Rajeev continue living far from the film industry's glam and glitz.
What are your thoughts on these interesting anecdotes related to Rajeev Verma's life and career? Let us know.
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