Prateik Smita Patil is a famous Bollywood actor who rose to fame with his debut film, Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na. Coming to his personal life, Prateik was born Prateik Babbar on November 28, 1986, to actor-politician, Raj Babbar and actress, Smita Patil. However, in March 2025, the Chhichhore actor garnered a lot of limelight, after he adopted his late mother’s name and became Prateik Smita Patil. The decision made by the actor raised many eyebrows, as using a mother’s last name as a surname still sounds unusual and uncommon today. Now, in an interview, Prateik opened up about the same.
Prateik Smita Patil states that there is nothing unusual in using his mother’s surname
In a recent interview with IANS, Prateik Smita Patil stated that there is nothing unusual about his decision to use his mother’s name. When the actor was informed that many people were shocked after he changed his name from Prateik Babbar to Prateik Smita Patil, he responded, saying there was no reason to be shocked by the matter. Prateik also explained that, since he has taken his mother’s name, there is nothing to be shocked about. In his words:
“Why should anyone be shocked? There is no reason to be shocked. I have taken my mother’s name- there is nothing to be shocked about that – she is my mother after all.”
When Prateik Smita Patil revealed why he changed his name
The reason behind Prateik changing his surname was deeply personal. Earlier, in an interview with Filmfare, he shared that the name Prateik Smita Patil is a powerful name that carries the powerful legacy of his mother, Smita Patil. Prateik mentioned that he was merely embracing his mom’s powers. He was quoted as saying:
“Yes, absolutely. Prateik Smita Patil is a powerful name, and Smita Patil has a powerful legacy. I am merely just embracing her power. I am the son of the late great legend Smita Patil.”
When did Prateik Babbar change his name?
The news of Prateik changing his surname came soon after his marriage to actress, Priya Banerjee. For the uninitiated, Prateik tied the knot with Priya in an intimate ceremony at the former’s mother’s home on February 14, 2025. However, it was Raj Babbar, Arya Babbar and Juhi Babbar’s absence that raised eyebrows. Arya and Juhi are half-siblings of Prateik. While speculations were rife that something was wrong at the Babbar household, it was Prateik’s second wife, Priya, who addressed the matter. She also accused Prateik’s father, Raj, of not being there for her husband, Prateik. In her words:
“We do not want to speak about this and get into detail because we’re happy…There is nothing to change. There was never anything there. So, I’m confused when people comment, ‘You did this to somebody.’ But no, that family was never there, that person (hinting at Raj Babbar) was never there in his life. So, I’m not sure why that question is coming up now, 30 years later.”
What are your thoughts on Prateik Smita Patil’s recent statement? Let us know.
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