After two decades, I want to focus on lead roles again, says Romiit Raaj

Romiit Raaj recently exited the TV show Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai after a nine month stint. He says, “I enjoyed playing Rohit, but my track came to an end. Now I am looking forward to my next.” (Romiit with Garvita Sadhwani and Rohit Purohit in Yeh Rishta)
Romiit is eager to return to lead roles, like he did at the beginning of his career with popular shows Maykaa and Ghar Ki Laxmi Betiyaan around 2006-07. He shares, “I’m hoping to land a lead in a romantic drama, thriller or murder mystery.Lead roles offer greater scope for performance and every actor is hungry for good opportunities. While I’m open to strong parallel roles, my focus is on working with good production houses and getting back to leads.”
In his two decade-long career, Romiit has seen it all, but the difficult patches never got him down. “It’s a part and parcel of an actor’s life and I always believe in looking ahead. With different mediums opening up, I want to do TV as well as web shows,” says the actor who was seen in the web series Naam Gum Jayega.
(Romiit with his wife Tina Raaj)
On the personal front, Romiit Raaj recently celebrated 15 years of marriage. He shares, “For any marriage to thrive, happiness is key. Tina has been my strength; she has been with me through my highs and lows, especially during the challenging phase when I didn’t have work.”
‘I respect Shilpa for being an independent, successful woman’(Shilpa Shinde)
Romiit was briefly engaged to actress Shilpa Shinde in 2009, but even today, he is asked about their association. He says, “I’m surprised that even after 16 years, something that lasted for less than six months still comes up. There was never any negativity, it just wasn’t meant to be. Shilpa has done well for herself. Though we haven’t crossed paths over the years, we’ve always wished each other well. I have a lot of respect for her as an independent woman who is successful in her career.”