Aarya Babbar on brother Prateik changing his name to Prateik Smita Patil: I just have to say that Smita ma is our mother too...

Arya Babbar talks about Pratiek Babbar name change

The Babbar family has recently made headlines due to speculation about a rift between actor-politician Raj Babbar and his son, actor Prateik Babbar. The rumours intensified after Prateik's wedding to Priya Banerjee, where his father and brother were notably absent from the guest list.

The situation took another turn when Prateik decided to change his name, adopting his late mother Smita Patil's surname and dropping his father’s surname, which led to further scrutiny.

Prateik clarified his decision to the Times of India, saying, "I’m just thinking about what makes me and my soul feel better, and what makes my heart smile, not thinking if it will negatively affect my career. I don’t care about the repercussions. All I care about is the way I feel when I hear that name."

By opting for Smita Patil’s surname, Prateik explained that it was a personal choice to honour his mother’s legacy, adding that he wasn’t concerned with the impact on his professional life.

In response, Prateik’s half-brother Aarya Babbar shared his thoughts on the matter. He acknowledged that everyone has the right to choose their name but expressed his own perspective on identity, saying, “I just have to say that Smita ma is our mother too. And what name he doesn’t want to keep and what name he wants to keep is his choice.”

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Aarya further explained, “Kal ko main uthke apna naam Aarya Babbar se Aarya karlun, ya Rajesh kar lun. Main tab bhi Babbar hi rahunga na,” adding that no matter what name someone chooses, their identity remains intact. He continued, "You can change your name, but you can’t change your identity. Rahunga toh Babbar hi because my existence is rooted in that, how can you change that?"

Prateik and Priya Banerjee tied the knot in an intimate ceremony on February 14, 2025, at the residence of Prateik’s late mother, Smita Patil, in Mumbai, despite the ongoing family tensions.