Renowned filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, who is known for telling powerful and moving stories, has frequently shared very intimate moments from his life, many of which have had a profound effect on his admirers and followers. His relationship with the late Parveen Babi, a well-known actress who sadly battled serious mental health problems in her later years, was one of the most tragic and illuminating stories he told.
Mahesh Bhatt talked candidly about some of the more difficult and dark times in his life in a throwback interview with Filmfare. He recalled a horrifying moment when he went into Parveen Babi's flat and discovered her in a very unsettling state.
How did Parveen Babi die?
Although Parveen Babi's tragic death in 2005 rocked the film industry, her unstable mental health in her last years left a lasting emotional scar on those who knew her. Mahesh Bhatt, who had a close and turbulent relationship with her, was one of those who was profoundly impacted by her condition.
Mahesh Bhatt's meet with Parveen Babi
In his open discussion, Mahesh Bhatt described in detail the scene that left him completely stunned when he first entered Parveen Babi's flat. He said he still remembers the detail of entering her bedroom, which was reeking of the lingering scents of many different perfumes. Once a representation of Parveen Babi's grace and beauty, the perfumes now seemed to serve as a humorous reminder of the actress's deteriorating mental health.
But it was what he saw next that completely unnerved him. He described how, upon entering the room, he saw Parveen Babi standing there with a kitchen knife in her hand. Bhatt’s voice trembled as he recalled the chilling sight of her "beast-like" gait, a stark contrast to the poised and graceful image she had once portrayed in her prime as one of Bollywood’s most celebrated actresses.
"What are you doing?" Bhatt asked, his voice laced with concern. In a haunting response, Parveen Babi whispered, "Shhsssh! Don’t talk! This room is bugged. They’re trying to kill me; they’re going to drop a chandelier on me."
Her words were frightening in their intensity and paranoia. During the worst of her mental illness, Parveen thought that invisible forces were watching her every move. She feared an imminent threat, that her home had been rigged with listening devices, and that her life was in jeopardy. Bhatt was left with no choice but to hold her hand and guide her out of the room as the trauma in her words seemed to reflect the intensity of her struggle.
Bhatt has a terrifying memory of that day. Parveen Babi's crippling mental health problems are glaringly depicted in the picture of her clutching a knife while suffering from extreme paranoia. It also underscores the emotional and psychological toll that paranoia and schizophrenia can take on an individual, often making them feel like they are trapped in their own minds, unable to differentiate between reality and delusion.
Mahesh Bhatt's help for Parveen Babi before her death
Following this incident, Mahesh Bhatt decided to help Parveen Babi by getting in touch with famous psychiatrists to try to comprehend her situation and give her the support she needed. After speaking with mental health specialists, it was discovered that Parveen Babi had paranoid schizophrenia, a severe and incapacitating mental illness marked by extreme paranoia, delusions, and hallucinations. It is a disorder that can seriously impair a person's capacity to discriminate between reality and the warped perceptions their mind has produced.
What is Schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia, especially in its paranoid form, is known to create a sense of extreme suspicion and fear in individuals, often causing them to believe that they are under threat from various external forces, whether real or imagined. In Parveen's case, this intense paranoia led her to believe that her life was constantly in danger, contributing to the episodes of extreme fear and violence that Bhatt witnessed firsthand. It’s a tragic irony that a woman who had once been the epitome of beauty, glamour, and grace in Bollywood could be so overwhelmed by such a cruel affliction, leading to her personal decline and eventual isolation.
Mahesh Bhatt's efforts to support Parveen Babi during this period highlight the deep emotional connection they shared. However, despite his attempts to help her, Parveen’s mental health continued to deteriorate. She withdrew from the public eye, leading to a long period of silence and isolation. It was a heartbreaking chapter for both Bhatt and Parveen, who had once shared a close personal and professional bond.
The legacy of Parveen Babi
Parveen Babi was one of the most successful and beautiful actresses of her time. She rose to fame in the 1970s and 1980s, known for her roles in blockbuster films such as Deewaar, Amar Akbar Anthony, Shaan, and Namak Halaal. She was not just a talented actress but also a style icon, admired for her bold and unconventional persona. Parveen was one of the first Bollywood actresses to challenge the traditional norms of the industry, making a name for herself in an era dominated by men.
However, her mental health struggles led her to step away from the spotlight in the 1980s. In the years that followed, she became increasingly reclusive, and her struggles with paranoia and schizophrenia became more apparent. Tragically, Parveen Babi passed away in 2005, her death attributed to complications arising from her mental health issues. The news of her passing was met with an outpouring of grief from her fans and colleagues, many of whom remembered her as a trailblazer in Bollywood.
In the years since her death, Parveen Babi’s legacy has been revisited, with many in the industry and beyond acknowledging her contribution to Indian cinema. Her beauty, charm, and undeniable talent are still remembered, even as her personal struggles have come to light. Her story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of mental health awareness and the need for empathy and support for those who face such challenges.
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