Raj Babbar’s daughter knew about his relationship with Smita Patil since she was 7: ‘My mother was unhappy about it’

Raj Babbar was already married to Nadira Babbar and had two children, when he fell in love with his co-star Smita Patil. The two decided to tie the knot despite the complexities surrounding their relationship. In a recent interaction, Raj’s daughter Juhi opened up about how Smita made an effort to connect with her and her younger brother Arya during that time. She also shared how she wholeheartedly accepted her step-brother, Smita and Raj’s son Prateik.

Speaking to Lehren Retro, Juhi said, “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 traveled, and she would ensure that at home, we were served the food that we liked. These small memories are nice, but unfortunately, there aren’t many memories.”

Juhi also spoke the impact that this relationship had on her mother Nadira. She reflected on how, as a child, she could sense her mother’s unhappiness while recognising Smita’s efforts. “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.”

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On her bond with her stepbrother Prateik, Juhi said there was never any hesitation in accepting him as part of the family. “Accepting isn’t the word because Prateik is my brother. There wasn’t any hesitation. He is my brother and nobody can change that fact.”

Smita Patil tragically passed away a few days after Prateik’s birth in 1986 due to complications in childbirth, leaving behind a legacy as one of Indian cinema’s most celebrated actors.