Latest news with #Smita
Time of India
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
‘Smita Patil had a sense about her failing health,' recalls veteran journalist on her final days
Smita Patil's sudden demise continues to resonate, as veteran journalist Bhawana Somaaya recalls her fragile health and devotion to motherhood. Following her unexpected passing, a custody battle ensued over her son, Prateik Babbar, who initially grappled with his identity, torn between his parents' legacies. He now embraces his full name, Prateik Smita Patil, honoring his mother's memory. Smita Patil , one of Indian cinema's most iconic and gifted actresses, left an indelible mark on the screen before her untimely death at just 31. Decades later, her passing continues to evoke deep emotion—not just among her admirers but also those who knew her closely. In heartfelt recollections, veteran journalist Bhawana Somaaya and her son, actor Prateik Babbar , reflect on Smita's final days, her fragile health, and the emotional journey that followed her loss. In a conversation with CNN-News18, the veteran journalist described Smita as a grounded woman—deeply in love and embracing motherhood. She recalled that Smita had always struggled with fragile health and was keen to spend time with her newborn son. Bhawana suggested that Smita may have sensed her declining condition, as her health deteriorated swiftly and unexpectedly in her final days. She further recalled that she was attending a fundraiser when Smita Patil suddenly fell ill. Upon returning home, she received news that Smita had been admitted to the hospital. Before she could reach there, she was informed that Smita had been moved to the ICU and placed on a ventilator, indicating the seriousness of her condition. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Top 5 Dividend Stocks for May 2025 Seeking Alpha Read Now Undo In a recent interview, Prateik Babbar opened up about the emotional aftermath of his mother Smita Patil's passing. He revealed that a custody battle followed soon after his birth, with both his father Raj Babbar 's family and his maternal grandparents seeking custody. The court eventually granted custody to his maternal side. He also shared that there was confusion over his surname—his passport initially read 'Prateik Smit Babbar,' a misspelling that stayed with him through his early years. Prateik, who now goes by Prateik Smita Patil, initially used the name Prateik Babbar in his early films. Reflecting on his past, he shared that he once struggled with his identity and felt conflicted about carrying either of his parents' surnames. During a period of emotional turmoil, he chose to go by just 'Prateik,' distancing himself from both sides of his family, whom he associated with personal trauma. Over time, however, he came to terms with his past and embraced his full identity, now honoring his late mother by including her name.
Indian Express
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
‘Smita Patil had some kind of intuition about her health,' veteran journalist recalls actor's last days, says she was ‘always in frail health'
Smita Patil, who was one of the most celebrated actors of her time, died of complications due to childbirth. She welcomed her son Prateik with actor Raj Babbar on November 28, and on December 13, 1986, she breathed her last at the age of 31. In a recent interview, veteran film journalist Bhawana Somaaya opened up about Smita's last days and recalled that she was 'always in frail health.' She also recalled how Smita's health went in a downward spiral quickly and before they knew it, she had passed. In a chat with CNN-News 18, Bhawana recalled Smita as a 'normal girl, a normal woman in love, and a normal woman who had given birth to a child.' She shared, 'Smita was always in frail health, health was an issue with her and therefore, she was wanting to spend time with her baby, and probably, she had some kind of intuition that her health was taking over the problem and things just happened so rapidly.' Bhawana shared that she was at a fundraiser when Smita took ill, and by the time she reached home, she got a message that 'Smita was in the hospital.' 'By the afternoon, before I could reach the hospital, I was given inclination that she is in the ICU on the ventilator,' she shared. ALSO READ | Prateik Smita Patil says he broke a TV set as mother Smita Patil's movie was playing, took a baseball bat to all her photos: 'I was extremely angry, bitter' In a recent interview, Prateik shared that soon after his mother's death, there was a battle for his custody between his father's side of the family and his maternal grandparents, which was eventually won by the latter. In a video shared on Varinder Chawla's YouTube channel, he shared, 'I was born Prateik. There was a custody battle for me from my mom's side of the family and my father's side of the family. My mom's side won. There was still a battle for the surname. Finally, in the passport, it was 'Prateik Smit Babbar'. It wasn't even Smita, so growing up I was 'Prateik Smit Babbar'.' Prateik, who now goes by Prateik Smita Patil, earlier went by Prateik Babbar. He shared, 'In my first film, my name was Prateik Babbar and then the devil got the better of me and I started thinking 'Kaun hai maa? Kaun hai baap? (Who is mom? Who is dad?)' Then I started thinking, 'I don't want to be Patil, I don't want to be Babbar. I want to be just Prateik.' For a few films, I was only Prateik because I was bitter about my parents. I was like, I don't want to belong to them. They have only given me trauma my entire life.' He eventually made peace with his name.
Time of India
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
‘My mother was unhappy about it': Juhi Babbar once recalled she was just 7 when she learnt about Raj Babbar's marriage to Smita Patil
Actor Raj Babbar was already a married man and father of two when he began a relationship with popular actor Smita Patil . The relationship, and the marriage that followed, sparked major controversy in the 1980s. For Raj's children—especially his daughter Juhi Babbar—the news was something she came to understand at a very young age. Years later, Juhi opened up about that time in her life and how she first found out about her father's new relationship when she was just 7 years old. 'Smita ji went out of her way for us' In a past chat with Lehren Retro, Juhi shared that her father explained his new marriage to her when she was still a child. She said this changed the way she looked at Smita Patil, giving her a different kind of memory from what most people knew. 'My father talked and explained his marriage with Smita Patil to me when I was barely seven years old, and that's why my memories of Smita ji are very different. She went out of her way to do things for me. I think she also had this thing that we are the kids of the person who is most special to her, and so we are special to her as well. She would show us a lot of love, always bringing us gifts when she travelled, and she would ensure that at home, we were served the food that we liked. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Thousands Are Saving Money Using This Wall Plug elecTrick - Save upto 80% on Power Bill Click Here Undo These small memories are nice, but unfortunately, there aren't many memories,' she said. Torn feelings While Smita was always kind to her and her brother Arya, Juhi said she was still aware of how this new marriage had changed everything for her family. She could feel that things were no longer the same, especially for her mother, Nadira Babbar. She added, 'As a child, I knew this is the lady my father wants to be with, and he wants to make her his wife. I could see Smita making an effort towards me and my little brother, but I also knew that this was disturbing the unit that used to be, and that my mother was unhappy about it. I had that understanding—that aunty (Smita) was being so good to me, but when I go home, I shouldn't share this with my mother.' Raj and Smita's love story Raj Babbar and Smita Patil reportedly first met on the sets of their 1982 film 'Bheegi Palkein'. Their on-screen partnership turned into a real-life love story. In 1983, Raj left Nadira and married Smita. In November 1986, the couple welcomed their son, actor Prateik Babbar . Sadly, just days after giving birth, Smita Patil passed away due to complications. She was only 31 years old at the time. Later, Raj reunited with his first wife, Nadira, and they rebuilt their family life together. Amitabh Bachchan's Sunday Tradition Continues with a Thoughtful Twist
Time of India
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Smita Bansal bids an emotional goodbye to Bhagya Lakshmi after a journey of 4 years; says 'This set became my second home, and everyone here became my extended family'
After winning hearts with her powerful portrayal of Neelam Oberoi in the popular television show Bhagya Lakshmi , renowned actress Smita Bansal is all set to bid adieu to the show. Her departure marks the end of a significant role in the show and for the audience who have deeply connected with her character over the past four years. Joining the cast in 2021, Smita's portrayal of Neelam, a fiercely protective matriarch torn between tradition, power, and emotion, quickly became one of the narrative's central pillars. Her character was often the moral compass and emotional anchor of the Oberoi household, even when her decisions triggered seismic shifts in the story. From major generational leaps to intense family confrontations, Smita brought gravitas and nuance to every arc. Her departure, therefore, is both narratively and emotionally significant. Smita said, 'Bhagya Lakshmi will always hold a very special place in my heart. Over these four years, I've not only had the privilege of playing a wonderfully written character but also built lifelong bonds with my cast and crew. This set became my second home, and everyone here became my extended family. The production house and the creatives of the show made my journey so comfortable. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo Playing Neelam has been nothing short of an amazing journey, it challenged me, inspired me, helped me learn so much from the people around me, and gave me immense satisfaction as an actor. Working with the channel after almost 18 years was a wonderful experience.' As Smita moves on to explore new avenues, her fans will undoubtedly miss her commanding screen presence. In the upcoming episodes, viewers will see a shocking twist as Lakshmi (Aishwarya Khare) gets blamed for Neelam's murder and is arrested by the police. Is this the end of Rishi (Rohit Suchanti) and Lakshmi's story, or will Rishi find out the truth and save her?
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India.com
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
Meet Smita Srivastava, Woman With Longest Hair In The World, Holds Guinness World Record...Hails From....
photoDetails english 2906834 Updated:May 27, 2025, 01:17 PM IST Real-life Rapunzel 1 / 7 Smita Srivastava, a 46-year-old woman from Uttar Pradesh, has earned the Guinness World Record for having the longest hair on a living person. She began growing her hair at age 14 and credits her genes for the exceptional length and health of her locks. Hair measurement 2 / 7 Inspired by her mother, Smita's hair now measures an incredible 236.22 cm (7 feet 9 inches). She believes that in Indian culture, long hair symbolizes beauty and is linked to goddess imagery. Cutting hair, she says, is often considered inauspicious. Washes her hair twice a week 3 / 7 She washes her hair twice a week, spending 40 to 45 minutes on the routine. To dry it, she spreads a sheet on her bed and detangles the hair while standing, ensuring it's properly managed before styling. Hair Care Regimen 4 / 7 Once dried and detangled, Smita braids and wraps her hair into a bun. Strangers often approach her to touch her hair, take photos, and ask about her hair care regimen, which she happily shares. Hair Loss 5 / 7 For the past 20 years, she has preserved all the hair that naturally fell out. This started during a phase of heavy hair loss when she began collecting the strands out of concern. Guinness World Record 6 / 7 Smita is thrilled to achieve the world record — a dream she once thought was far-fetched. She was especially inspired by the long, iconic hairstyles of Bollywood actresses in the 1980s. World record 7 / 7 Her achievement is the result of years of commitment and cultural pride, turning her love for long hair into a world record and a source of inspiration for many across the globe.
