Kabir Bedi talks about his relationship with actress Parveen Babi, says,"sach yehi tha ki maine usse nahi chodha, usne mujhe chodha"

In the 1980s, Kabir Bedi and Parveen Babi's relationship garnered significant media attention. Their romance began while Kabir was still married to his first wife, renowned Odissi dancer Protima Bedi.

However, their relationship was brief, with rumors suggesting that Kabir Bedi initiated the breakup, which allegedly impacted Parveen Babi’s mental health. In a recent interview, veteran actor and model Kabir Bedi opened about their relationship and revealed the reasons behind their separation.

In his interview with Digital Commentary, Kabir Bedi revealed that it was Parveen Babi who chose to end their relationship, not him. He explained that he had urged her to seek medical help as she was struggling with her mental health at the time. Recalling the incident, he said: "sach yehi tha ki maine usse nahi chhod, usne mujhe chhoda, Parveen had mental problems from before, voh mujhe chhod kr Europe chali gyi, India aakr apna career phir se banana chahti thi, agar main beech main kuch bolgya uski mental health wagerah ke baaren main, uska bhot nuksaaan hota, lekin uss waqt maine kuch kaha nhi, in my defence, maine kaha chhod do, 5-6 saal baad maine yeh baat spasht ki Parveen left me, I didn't leave Parveen"

[The truth is, I didn’t leave her; she left me. Parveen had mental health issues even before we met. She left me and went to Europe. Later, she returned to India to rebuild her career. At the time, I refrained from saying anything publicly about her mental health, as it could have harmed her further. It was only 5-6 years later that I clarified the matter: Parveen left me, not the other way around.]

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In his autobiography, Stories I Must Tell: The Emotional Journey of an Actor, Kabir Bedi delves into his illustrious acting career and provides a candid account of his personal relationships, including the ups and downs he experienced in love and marriage. The book offers readers a glimpse into the emotional and professional challenges that shaped his life.

Kabir Bedi recounted the difficult moment when he confessed his affair with Parveen Babi to his then-wife, Protima Bedi, in his autobiography, Stories I Must Tell: The Emotional Journey of an Actor. Sharing the emotionally charged exchange, he wrote:

"There was no easy way to break the news to Protima. ‘I’m going over to Parveen’s tonight,’ I said softly when she came in. ‘Parveen’s!’ she repeated in surprise. I could see her computing what must have happened. ‘But I’ve only just arrived. Can’t you stay tonight at least?’ I shook my head. 'No, I have to be with her tonight … and every night.'"

He added that it was at that moment Protima realised their relationship had changed irreversibly.

In the book, Kabir Bedi also described the heartbreaking moment when Protima confronted the reality of his relationship with Parveen Babi. Writing about her reaction, he shared:

"She let out a deep breath and looked at me. ‘Do you love her?’ I nodded, not without sadness. ‘Does she love you?’ she asked, her voice a notch higher. ‘Yes,’ I said gruffly, wanting to cry. I knew I was ending a relationship where we’d shared life-changing experiences together, happy and unhappy, moral and immoral, for six tumultuous years. But I didn’t want to show vulnerability. I had to be strong to end it."

He continued, "I held her by the shoulders to embrace her goodbye. She clung to me and burst out crying. Then she sat down on the bed and sighed deeply before she spoke. ‘Please leave me alone now,’ she said in a firm voice as tears welled in her eyes. ‘Leave me alone. Please go!’"

That moment marked the end of their ‘open marriage,’ which had defined their unconventional relationship.

Kabir Bedi and Protima Bedi were parents to two children: their daughter, Pooja Bedi, a well-known actress and columnist, and their son, Siddharth Bedi. While Pooja followed a creative path into the limelight, Siddharth faced personal struggles, tragically passing away in 1997 after battling schizophrenia. Their family story has often been highlighted as a mix of artistic legacy and poignant challenges.

Parveen Babi passed away on January 20, 2005, at the age of 50, due to multiple organ failure. Her death marked a tragic end to the life of one of Bollywood's most glamorous and celebrated actresses.