Prateik Babbar accepts there were complications between mom Smita Patil, dad Raj Babbar's wife Nadira: ‘Real reason why I didn't invite him to my wedding'

Indian Express

12-05-2025

Actor Prateik Smita Patil tied the knot with girlfriend Priya Banerjee in February this year. However, what made headlines was the absence of his father, veteran actor Raj Babbar, and his half-siblings Aarya Babbar and Juhi Babbar from the ceremony. In a recent interaction, Prateik explained that since the wedding took place at his late mother Smita Patil's home, it would have been 'unethical' to invite his father's family due to the complicated history between Raj Babbar's wife, Nadira, and Smita Patil.
During an interaction with Times Now, Prateik said, 'My father's wife and my mother had some complications in the past, lots of things have been said in the press and stuff like that if you dig out 38-40 years ago. I was open to doing something with my father and his family for another function. I just thought it was unethical to have him and his family at that house when after everything had went on between them. Absolutely, it wasn't right.'
Prateik stressed that the decision was made to honour his mother, who raised him alone. He said, 'I'm sorry my father and his wife could not be there, could not be in the house my mother bought for me to grow up and live a life as a single mother. She wanted to live in that house with me as a single mother. Bring me up. I'm sorry. That was the best decision my wife and I made.' He added, 'It wasn't about rejecting anyone. It was about respecting my mother and her wishes.'
The Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na actor also hinted at the reactions from Raj Babbar and his children after learning they were not invited. 'People are impulsive, people make impulsive choices and say things out of impulse and it was just distasteful and I think that bitter taste has remained. That bitter taste has remained,' he said.
Prateik acknowledged that his decision had strained his relationship with his father and half-siblings. 'The right thing to do was to what we did and then if, obviously now circumstances are different, everything is gone South and it's extremely complicated. But it's not for me. I'm still the same,' he said.
Raj Babbar was already married to Nadira Babbar and had two children, Aarya and Juhi, when he fell in love with fellow actor Smita Patil during the shooting of their 1982 film Bheegi Palkein. He left Nadira and secretly married Smita. The couple welcomed their son, Prateik, in November 1986. Tragically, Smita Patil passed away due to complications following childbirth. After her death, Raj Babbar reconciled with Nadira, and the two resumed their relationship.