Parveen Babi, a well-known and veteran Bollywood actress, was born in Junagadh, Gujarat, on April 4, 1949. However, the year of her birth is mentioned at that place as 1954 instead of 1949.
Her father, Vali Mohammed Khan Babi, was a system administrator under the Nawab, a man of stature in a Muslim family with royal ties. Her mother, Jamal Bakhte Babi, brought warmth to their only child’s world. Born 14 years after their marriage, Parveen was a late, cherished gift.
When Parveen Babi came into the industry, Zeenat Aman was a very big personality in the Hindi film industry. Many people saw the shadow of Zeenat Aman in Parveen Babi, and some even jokingly said that Parveen Babi is the poor people’s Zeenat Aman.
She was one of the boldest and successful actresses of her generation. She was also known for her varied film performances. Parveen Babi began her Bollywood career in 1973 with the film Charitra. Following this, she appeared in films such as Majboor, Deewar, Amar Akbar Anthony, Kala Patthar, Suhaag, Kranti, Kalia, Razia Sultan, and Idasa.
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A Childhood of Contrasts
Growing up in a sprawling bungalow near Gir Forest, Parveen was a dreamer. She’d wander the estate, sketching designs and losing herself in books—English poetry was her escape. But privilege came with shadows—her father’s death when she was six left her and her mother in a quiet, reflective life. That loss? It shaped her resilience.
Education and Awakening
Parveen shone at St. Xavier’s High School in Junagadh and then moved to Ahmedabad for college. At St. Xavier’s College, she studied English Literature and graduated in the early ‘70s. Her Bohra Muslim roots clashed with her modern vibe—jeans, boots, and a free spirit. It was here, at a college fest, that director B.R. Ishara spotted her, changing her fate.
Bollywood Beginnings: A Star is Born
Debut in Charitra
In 1973, Parveen stepped into Bollywood with Charitra. At 24, she was raw—long legs, sharp cheekbones, and a Western flair that stood out. The film flopped, but her screen test for Majboor (1974) with Amitabh Bachchan turned heads. Playing Neela, she sparkled, and Bollywood took notice.
Early Hits and Glamour
By 1975, Deewaar cemented her as a sensation. As Anita, a bar dancer romancing Amitabh’s Vijay, she was bold—smoking, drinking, loving without apology. That year, Kaala Sona with Feroz Khan added action to her resume. Her style—cropped tops, bell-bottoms—became a trend. I still swoon over her Deewaar looks—pure fire.
Parveen Babi demonstrated the power of her superb acting in these films. Aside from films, she was frequently questioned about her personal life. Parveen Babi’s name was linked to several well-known artists of the time. Actors such as Kabir Bedi, Mahesh Bhatt, and Danny Denzongpa admired her. Not only that, but Kabir Bedi had decided to abandon his wife in favour of Parveen Babi.
The Golden Years: Bollywood’s Glamour Queen
Blockbusters with Big B
The late ‘70s were Parveen’s reign. Amar Akbar Anthony (1977) cast her as Jenny, a chic Christian girl in a comedy classic. Kaala Patthar (1979) and Suhaag (1979) paired her with Amitabh again—each a hit. Her chemistry with him? Electric. Fans dubbed her his lucky charm, and I get why—those films still feel timeless.
Versatility Shines
She wasn’t just glamour. Shaan (1980) gave her Sunita, a stylish foil to Shashi Kapoor. The Burning Train (1980) had her as Seema, poised amid chaos. Kaalia (1981) turned her into Shalini, fierce and loving. Her dance in Namak Halaal (1982)—“Raat Baaki”—is etched in my memory, all sequins and sass.
A Personal Reflection
I watched Amar Akbar Anthony with my mom—she’d gush over Parveen’s elegance. That’s when I fell for her too—her vibe was effortless, her star power undeniable.
Kabir Bedi
This is revealed in the actor’s biography, ‘Stories I Must Tell: The Emotional Life of the Actor.’ Nobody can ever forget Kabir Bedi and Parveen Babi’s love story.
These two had been dating for a long time. In his biography, Kabir Bedi revealed that living in an open marriage with his wife, Protima Gupta, was initially very beneficial but later caused him more problems.
This reduced their closeness, according to Kabir Bedi. He didn’t feel the love he desired, and he expressed his feelings of loneliness and emptiness. On the other hand, Parveen Babi was a person in her life who filled the void left by Kabir Bedi’s loneliness.
He wrote ‘Protima Gupta and I had an open marriage,’ the actor wrote in his book. It felt good at first, but there came a point when I became very restless because our closeness had come to an end. I was starting to feel lonely because I didn’t have the love and affection I needed. Parveen Babi gradually filled this void over time.’
Mahesh Bhatt and Parveen Babi
The love story of Mahesh Bhatt and Parveen Babi is said to have begun in 1977, when she broke up with her then-boyfriend, Kabir Bedi. While nursing a broken heart, she became attached to Mahesh, a common friend of the couple. As he comforted her, they grew closer and eventually fell in love.
Death
She was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, and she came to light as a result of various incidents related to her mental health as well as diabetes. Babi died on January 20, 2005, as a result of multiple organ failures.
Controversies
Parveen had accused several well-known people, including Amitabh Bachchan, Bill Clinton, Robert Redford, Prince Charles, and Al Gore, of plotting her death. Still, she was unable to produce any evidence in this regard, and her accusation was dismissed by the court.
Parveen Babi was also detained by security at John F. Kennedy International Airport in the United States because she could not provide any identification documents and was acting strangely. Authorities had placed her in a general ward with mentally ill patients. However, on the recommendation of the then-Indian Consulate, she was acquitted.
In 1993, Parveen Babi filed an affidavit in which she stated that she had evidence against Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt in the Mumbai bombings case. However, because of her Schizophrenia, she was afraid to leave her house.
Parveen Babi Filmography
Year | Title | Role | Director | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
1973 | Charitra | Shikha | B. R. Ishara | Debut film; portrayed a college student facing familial struggles. |
1974 | Majboor | Neelu | Ravi Tandon | An action film with Feroz Khan. |
1974 | Dhuen Ki Lakeer | Unknown | Kishore Sahu | Early supporting role. |
1974 | Khote Sikkay | Shabnam | Narendra Bedi | An iconic role as a conflicted prostitute, one of Bollywood’s greatest films. |
1975 | Deewaar | Anita | Yash Chopra | Played Amitabh Bachchan’s love interest; a blockbuster hit. |
1975 | Kaala Sona | Durga | Ravi Nagaich | Romantic thriller opposite Feroz Khan. |
1975 | Do Jhoot | Unknown | S. Ramanathan | Lesser-known drama. |
1976 | Bullet | Sapna | Vijay Anand | Action-packed role with Dev Anand. |
1977 | Amar Akbar Anthony | Jenny | Manmohan Desai | Played Amitabh Bachchan’s love interest; blockbuster hit. |
1977 | Chandi Sona | Rita | Sanjay Khan | Glamorous role in a crime drama. |
1977 | Khoon Pasina | Shabnam | Rakesh Kumar | Action drama with Vinod Khanna. |
1978 | Muqaddar Ka Sikandar | Sonia | Prakash Mehra | Cameo role in Amitabh Bachchan’s cult classic. |
1979 | Suhaag | Anu | Manmohan Desai | Starred with Shashi Kapoor; box-office success. |
1979 | Kaala Patthar | Anita | Yash Chopra | Mining disaster drama with an ensemble cast. |
1980 | Shaan | Sunita | Ramesh Sippy | Stylish action-thriller with Shashi Kapoor. |
1981 | Kranti | Sureli | Manoj Kumar | Patriotic epic set during British rule. |
1982 | Namak Halaal | Nisha | Prakash Mehra | Memorable comedy with Amitabh Bachchan; iconic songs. |
1982 | Ashanti | Sunita | Umesh Mehra | Action film inspired by Charlie’s Angels; co-starred Zeenat Aman. |
1982 | Yeh Nazdeekiyan | Kiran | Vinod Pande | Controversial erotic drama. |
1983 | Mahaan | Manju | S. Ramanathan | Shared screen with Amitabh Bachchan and Zeenat Aman. |
1983 | Razia Sultan | Khakun | Kamal Amrohi | Historical drama about India’s first female ruler. |
1985 | Bond 303 | Kavita | Ravikant Nagaich | Spy thriller; lesser-known project. |
1985 | Telephone | Anita | P. Chandra | Horror-thriller about a haunted phone line. |
1988 | Akarshan | Special Appearance | Tanvir Ahmed | Final film before retirement. |
1991 | Irada | Unknown | Unknown | The first collaboration with Amitabh Bachchan was commercial success. |