Prateik Babbar, who now goes by the name Prateik Smita Patil, is the son of late actress, Smita Patil and Raj Babbar. He has often made headlines not just for portraying intense roles on-screen or for his good looks but also his eventful personal life. Known for his performances in films like Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na, Dhobi Ghat and Chhichhore, Prateik made headlines in 2025 for marrying Priya Banerjee and maintaining a distance from his father and his family. Despite everything the actor has finally found the joy of his life by making it forever with Priya and recently shared how he had become lost and bitter before he found her.
Prateik Babbar reveals he became ‘bitter’ after his first marriage ended
Prateik Babbar recently sat down for an interview with Bollywood Bubble, where he talked about his broken marriage with Sanya Sagar. For those unaware, Sanya is a film producer and hails from a political family. She tied the knot with Prateik in 2019, and they called it quits in 2023. Prateik shared that he had to endure a lot of things during the phase, and it was a mental block which prevented him from thinking anything better. Sharing how the broken marriage made him turn away from the institution of marriage and love, the actor said:
“I gave it my all in my previous marriage. I stepped up to my role, no matter what life or that relationship threw at me. I wanted to be the best partner. But unfortunately, it didn’t work out. So I was extremely bitter about love and marriage.”
Prateik, who met his now wife, Priya, during his divorce proceedings, shared that he faced a dark period before he met the love of his life. The actor admitted that he was angry, impulsive and revengeful after his first marrige ended. The same vengeful behaviour made him follow thousands of gorgeous women, unknowingly including Priya. Recalling the same, he said:
“Out of vengeance, I ended up following thousands of pretty women on Instagram. I was like, ‘I was so good in my marriage… now let’s see.’ And ladies, be aware. It was really ladies vs. Prateik… the beast in me unleashed. That was my mindset.”
Prateik Babbar shares how he fell in love with Priya Banerjee
In the same conversation, Prateik shared that when he followed Priya, she followed him back. But none of them tried to have any conversation and he ended the silence by replying to one of her Instagram stories. The message marked the beginning of their love story, where they had conversations, met in person, went on dates and finally tied the knot. However, throughout all this neither he nor Priya was looking for someone to date. Rather, they both had ended their previous relationships, and their contact had a ‘divine timing’. He said:
“She had broken her previous engagement, and I was going through a divorce. That’s when we happened to meet in the lockdown. Kafi logon ke liye lockdown negative raha… kafi logon ki shaadiyaan toot gayi… par humne pyaar dhoond liya aur humari shaadi pakki ho gayi.”
More about Prateik Babbar and Priya Banerjee’s private wedding ceremony
Prateik Babbar and Priya Banerjee tied the knot in an intimate wedding ceremony at his mother, late actress, Smita Patil’s residence. The couple wore an ivory-hued custom outfits from Tarun Tahiliani. The actor was seen getting emotional during his wedding. At the same time, after the wedding, they danced their hearts out with friends and close family members in a wonderful celebration. However, Prateik didn’t invite his father or half-siblings, Arya and Juhi Babbar, to his wedding. At the same, he changed his name to Prateik Smita Patil in honour of his late mother.
What do you think about Prateik Babbar’s revelations about experiencing a dark phase before tying the night with Priya Banerjee?
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