Earlier this year, the Babbar family made headlines when Prateik Smita Patil married Priya Banerjee without inviting his father, actor-politician Raj Babbar. Prateik has now addressed the decision and issued an apology.
Prateik Smita Patil breaks silence on not inviting father Raj Babbar to his wedding, “I’m sorry my father and his wife could not be there”
In an interview with Zoom, Prateik reflected on his decision not to invite his father, Raj Babbar and the Babbar family to his wedding with Priya Banerjee, which took place on February 14 in Mumbai.
Prateik clarified the situation regarding his family’s absence from his wedding celebrations, explaining that his father, Raj Babbar, and half-brother, Arya Babbar, were not present due to circumstances that were misinterpreted. He stressed that their absence was not the result of any personal conflict or estrangement.
Prateik further explained that the wedding was a private ceremony held at his mother Smita Patil’s residence. Considering the past complexities between his mother and stepmother, Nadira Babbar, he felt it wouldn’t be appropriate to involve his father and his family in the event at her home.
Prateik stated, “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. 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.”
The actor added, “It wasn’t about rejecting anyone. It was about respecting my mother and her wishes… 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. And it could have been very, very subtle scenario and everything could have been subtle. But 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.”
The Babbar family’s rift came to light when Prateik married Priya Banerjee on February 14 without inviting them. Raj Babbar, who married Nadira Babbar in 1975, shares two children, Juhi and Arya, with her. He later married Smita Patil in 1983, and their son Prateik was born in 1986, the year Smita passed away due to childbirth complications. Raj and Nadira reconciled years later.
Earlier this year, in an interview with The Times of India, Prateik revealed that he has officially changed his name to ‘Prateik Smita Patil’. He stated, “I don’t care about the repercussions. All I care about is the way I feel when I hear that name. I need to be wholly and solely associated with my mother (Smita Patil), her name and her legacy. I don’t think any other name needs to taint that legacy, if you understand what I mean. It needs to just be her name and her legacy. That’s what I’m striving to be. I’m striving to be like my mother and not like my dad.”
BOLLYWOOD NEWS – LIVE UPDATES
Catch us for latest Bollywood News, New Bollywood Movies update, Box office collection, New Movies Release , Bollywood News Hindi, Entertainment News, Bollywood Live News Today & Upcoming Movies 2025 and stay updated with latest hindi movies only on Bollywood Hungama.