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Prateik Smita Patil Reveals Why He Didn`t Invite Raj Babbar to His Wedding
Updated on: 12 May, 2025 04:52 PM IST |Amruta Karulkar
Prateik Smita Patil
Actor Prateik Smita Patil`s wedding to Priya Banerjee earlier this year was an intimate affair, but it sparked significant discussion due to the notable absence of his father, veteran actor Raj Babbar, and his family. Held at the home of his late mother, the legendary Smita Patil, the private ceremony raised questions about family dynamics. Now, Prateik has opened up about the deeply personal reasons behind his decision.
In recent interviews, Prateik explained that the decision was rooted in respect for his mother and the history surrounding the venue. He pointed to the "complications in the past" between his mother, Smita, and his father`s wife, Nadira. "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," Prateik shared.
He felt hosting his father and his family in the house Smita Patil intended to raise him in as a single mother would be inappropriate. "I just thought it was unethical to have him and his family at that house after everything that went on between them. Absolutely; it wasn`t right," he stated. Prateik emphasised, "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 in."
Also Read: Raj Babbar Special: Iconic Roles Of The Veteran Actor That Makes Him Bollywood`s OG Villain
The family`s history is complex: Raj Babbar first married Nadira, then secretly married co-star Smita Patil. After Smita`s tragic death shortly after Prateik`s birth, Raj returned to Nadira. For Prateik, ensuring the sanctity of his mother`s home during his wedding was paramount.
An Intimate Ceremony, A Notable Absence
On February 14, 2025, Prateik and Priya tied the knot surrounded by close friends and family at the Mumbai house his mother, Smita Patil, had bought. However, the guest list did not include his father Raj Babbar, stepmother Nadira Babbar, or step-siblings Arya and Juhi Babbar. This absence fuelled widespread speculation about a potential rift within the prominent Bollywood family. Prateik, who recently started using his mother`s name professionally, dropping `Babbar`, acknowledged the buzz but attributed much of it to impulsive reactions.In recent interviews, Prateik explained that the decision was rooted in respect for his mother and the history surrounding the venue. He pointed to the "complications in the past" between his mother, Smita, and his father`s wife, Nadira. "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," Prateik shared.
He felt hosting his father and his family in the house Smita Patil intended to raise him in as a single mother would be inappropriate. "I just thought it was unethical to have him and his family at that house after everything that went on between them. Absolutely; it wasn`t right," he stated. Prateik emphasised, "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 in."
Also Read: Raj Babbar Special: Iconic Roles Of The Veteran Actor That Makes Him Bollywood`s OG Villain
Addressing the Fallout
While the decision was difficult, Prateik stands by it. "That was the best decision my wife and I made," he asserted. He revealed he was "open to doing something with my father and his family for another function," suggesting the exclusion was specific to the ceremony at Smita Patil`s home. However, he noted the situation became complicated following the wedding. "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," Prateik remarked on the reactions.The family`s history is complex: Raj Babbar first married Nadira, then secretly married co-star Smita Patil. After Smita`s tragic death shortly after Prateik`s birth, Raj returned to Nadira. For Prateik, ensuring the sanctity of his mother`s home during his wedding was paramount.
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