Actor Prateik Babbar surprised fans by officially changing his name to Prateik Smita Patil, paying tribute to his late mother, veteran actress Smita Patil. Addressing speculation about his father, Raj Babbar’s absence, Prateik and his wife, Priya Banerjee, chose to remain reserved on the matter.
Prateik has officially adopted the name Prateik Smita Patil, honoring his late mother’s legacy while distancing himself from his father’s surname.
In a conversation with The Times of India, the newlywed couple refrained from delving into details, with Priya emphasizing that it was not something they wished to discuss at the moment.
Speaking on the same, Prateik said, "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. I need to be wholly and solely associated with my mother (Smita Patil), her name and her legacy. I don't think any other name needs to taint that legacy, if you understand what I mean. ."
Prateik expressed that his goal is to follow in his mother’s footsteps rather than his father’s, describing the change as the beginning of a new chapter in his life.
However, they hinted that Prateik might eventually speak about it publicly when he feels emotionally ready. When asked directly about the Babbar family's absence, Priya promptly stepped in, asserting that they preferred not to comment on the matter.
She further said, "It's all online. It's all on the internet. Let people go back in the past and read some articles perhaps from back in the day and find out what went down in anybody's life before passing a reckless comment which can affect somebody's special day. Nobody has any right to say anything about it. If Prateik chooses to stay quiet, if I choose to stay quiet, that is actually out of respect and dignity. That's it. We do not want to speak about this and get in detail because we're happy... There is nothing to change. There was never anything there."
Priya Banerjee expressed her confusion over the comments suggesting that Prateik had done something to someone, clarifying that the family in question was never present in his life. She pointed out that the person being referred to, Raj Babbar, had not been involved in Prateik’s upbringing, questioning why such concerns were being raised after 30 years.
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Speaking about his ties with his family, Prateik said that he will comment on it when the time is right. "It's a bit complicated.... It's extremely complicated for the time being and as Priya mentioned, when I am ready to talk about things that I haven't before and that need to be spoken about, it will clear the air, not just for me, but for everybody, even that family," the actor stated.
Prateik married his longtime girlfriend, actress Priya Banerjee, in a private ceremony on February 14. The couple exchanged vows at his late mother Smita Patil’s residence in Bandra, Mumbai, surrounded by close family and friends.
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