‘I wanted her to get treatment for …': Parveen Babi's ex-boyfriend, actor Kabir Bedi, reveals why they broke up, recalls their final meeting before her death

Economic Times

15-07-2025

The Rise And Fall Of An Intense Romance
A Final Encounter By The Poolside
Behind the Breakup
Love and Loss in the Public Eye
The romantic connection between Kabir Bedi and Parveen Babi remains a significant and poignant chapter in the annals of Bollywood. Their intense bond began when Kabir's personal life was in transition. He was in an open marriage with his first wife, Protima Bedi, with both partners freely exploring relationships beyond their union. Protima was reportedly seeing a French national, while Kabir developed a close companionship with Parveen Babi, one of the most glamorous and enigmatic actresses of the time.Their relationship began as a source of solace and comfort for Kabir. According to Bedi's own recollections in an interview with Siddharth Kannan, the couple shared deep emotional intimacy. However, their love story eventually turned painful. As time passed, signs of Parveen's psychological distress became harder to ignore. Kabir, deeply concerned for her well-being, tried to encourage her to seek professional medical attention. Unfortunately, Parveen's hesitation to address her mental health issues created an emotional rift between them, and their relationship gradually crumbled under the weight of these struggles.Years after they parted ways, Kabir had one last interaction with Parveen, a year before her untimely passing in 2005. He recalled seeing her sitting alone by the pool at a hotel in India. The media had been relentlessly targeting her due to her public accusations against Amitabh Bachchan, painting her as mentally unstable. When Kabir approached her, she greeted him but quickly revealed her internal turmoil by saying that people believed she was insane.Kabir attempted to reassure her, explaining that perceptions vary and that societal judgment shouldn't define her self-worth. However, her demeanor shifted abruptly. She accused him of sharing the same views as others and asked him to leave.'Suddenly her expression changed. She said, 'You are also one of them; you also think I am mad. I don't want to do anything with you.'' he recalled.Kabir, though devastated by the interaction, quietly respected her wishes and walked away.In his conversation with Kannan, Kabir explained why their relationship came to an end. He stressed that he had persistently urged Parveen to seek help for her mental health. 'I was insisting she get treatment for her mental illness," he admitted.He described her as intelligent, sensitive, and caring but added that she struggled with delusions and auditory hallucinations. Though he consulted many psychiatrists to find a way forward, Parveen refused therapy, fearing the stigma it would bring and its potential impact on her film career.During a past interview with Digital Commentary, Kabir recounted how Parveen accompanied him to Italy during the peak of his international stardom, particularly while working on the series Sandokan. Yet it was in London that he noticed a clear decline in her mental state. He tried once again to convince her to accept treatment, but her refusal and fear of losing her career pushed them apart.Dispelling common myths, Kabir clarified that Parveen ended the relationship—not him. She feared he would coerce her into treatment. He emphasized that her paranoia made her suspicious of everyone, including him, and she ultimately walked away to preserve the fragile control she still had.Parveen Babi died alone in 2005, leaving behind a haunting legacy and a love story that remains unfinished in the hearts of many.