When Parveen Babi allegedly stopped eating food fearing it was poisoned and later was found dead alone in her flat

Parveen Babi, a name that reverberated with beauty, talent, and charisma, left an indelible mark on Bollywood during the 1970s and 1980s. With her bold persona and daring choices, she shattered stereotypes and redefined the role of a leading lady in Indian cinema. Her performances in films like Deewar, Namak Halal, Amar Akbar Anthony, and Kaalia not only catapulted her to fame but also made her a style icon. Yet, beneath the glamour and success lay a tragic story of mental illness, isolation, and a heartbreaking end that shocked her fans and the film fraternity alike.

A Trailblazer Ahead of Her Time

Parveen Babi’s rise in the film industry was meteoric. Her sophisticated elegance, combined with a modern outlook, set her apart from her contemporaries. While most actresses of her era portrayed conservative, docile characters, Babi embraced bold roles that reflected the liberated woman of the 70s and 80s. Her portrayal of strong-willed and independent women challenged the conventional norms of Indian cinema. Her chemistry with Amitabh Bachchan was unparalleled, and together they delivered eight back-to-back hits, making them one of Bollywood’s most iconic on-screen pairs.

Her beauty and talent were not only recognized in India but also earned her international acclaim. She became the first Bollywood actress to be featured on the cover of TIME magazine, symbolizing her global appeal and breaking boundaries for Indian actresses. Babi’s allure was not just limited to her performances but extended to her style and fashion sense. Her Westernized image, complete with chic outfits and daring bikinis, set her apart as a trendsetter in the industry.

Redefining Glamour and Style

In an era when actresses adhered to traditional looks, Parveen Babi and her contemporary Zeenat Aman brought a fresh wave of modernity and glamour to Bollywood. Whether it was her iconic appearance in an animal-print bikini running along the beach or her stylish outfits on-screen, Babi constantly pushed the envelope. She often faced backlash for her choices, but she remained unapologetic, holding her own against criticism.

Babi’s boldness extended to her personal life as well. Her relationships were widely discussed in the media, and she was often linked with men like Kabir Bedi, Danny Denzongpa, and Mahesh Bhatt. However, while Babi was celebrated for living life on her own terms, the pressures of stardom and personal turmoil began to take a toll on her mental health.

The Descent into Darkness: Paranoid Schizophrenia

Despite her unprecedented success, Parveen Babi’s life took a dramatic and tragic turn in the early 1980s. She began exhibiting symptoms of a severe mental health disorder—paranoid schizophrenia. This illness is characterized by intense paranoia, hallucinations, and delusions, leading to a profound detachment from reality. Babi’s condition started manifesting as erratic behavior, irrational fears, and withdrawal from public life.

Babi’s deteriorating mental health became evident when she abruptly quit the film industry in 1983, leaving fans and colleagues in disbelief. She became increasingly reclusive, cutting ties with friends and family and retreating into isolation. As her paranoia grew, Babi started believing that people, including her close friends and colleagues, were conspiring to kill her.

One of the most publicized and disturbing instances was when Babi accused megastar Amitabh Bachchan of plotting to murder her. She went to the extent of filing a police complaint against him, alleging that he, along with several other high-profile individuals, was part of a conspiracy to eliminate her. The accusations were dismissed by the authorities, who deemed them as products of her delusional state.

Mahesh Bhatt’s Recollections: A Glimpse into Her Troubled Mind

Mahesh Bhatt, a renowned filmmaker and one of Babi’s former partners, has often spoken about his time with her during her struggle with mental illness. He shared several harrowing experiences that gave a glimpse into the depths of her troubled mind.

“Sometimes she’d say the air conditioner had a bug. We had to dismantle it and show it to her. At other times there was ‘a bug’ in the fan or in the perfume…” Bhatt recalled. “Once we were driving back after meeting my friend, philosopher and guide UG Krishnamurthy, when she said, ‘There’s a bomb in the car. I can hear it tick!’ She threw open the door of the moving car, saying the bomb would burst and ran out on the road with me trying to hold her.”

He further recounted, “People thought ‘Parveen Babi’ was having a fight with her boyfriend. Somehow, I huddled her into a taxi and brought her home.”

These episodes illustrate how Babi’s condition led her to imagine threats and conspiracies that didn’t exist. Her hallucinations made her life a nightmare, as she started doubting the people closest to her. Bhatt mentioned how she would burst into a room, wide-eyed, convinced that someone was spying on her or plotting against her. Despite the efforts of her loved ones to support her, Babi’s fears and delusions continued to spiral out of control.

A Life of Isolation and Loneliness

Babi’s paranoid schizophrenia not only destroyed her career but also led to the collapse of her personal relationships. As her condition worsened, she pushed away the people who cared about her. Mahesh Bhatt, despite his efforts to stay by her side, found it increasingly difficult to deal with her condition. Their relationship ended when she asked him to choose between her and his spiritual guru, UG Krishnamurthy.

After severing ties with Bhatt, Babi’s life took a downward spiral. She left India and sought refuge in the United States, where she lived for a few years under the guidance of her spiritual teacher. When she eventually returned to India, she was a changed woman—disillusioned, frail, and deeply troubled.

During her final years, Babi’s paranoia intensified. She stopped eating food prepared by others, fearing it was poisoned, and started buying only basic groceries. Lalit Sharma, the son of Babi’s secretary, recalled that she would slip money through the door and collect the milk and eggs left by the delivery person only after they had left. She became increasingly distrustful of everyone around her, believing that even the police were conspiring against her.

“For groceries and essentials, she’d slip the money through the door and collect the milk and eggs once the man had left,” Lalit Sharma remembered. “She had even stopped eating cooked food, thinking someone must have poisoned it.”

A Tragic and Lonely Death

On January 20, 2005, Parveen Babi was found dead in her Mumbai apartment. The authorities were alerted after neighbors noticed that she had not collected her newspapers and milk for several days. Her body was discovered three days after her death. The official cause of death was multiple organ failure, but her demise was symbolic of a life filled with loneliness and suffering.

Babi’s death sent shockwaves through the nation. The vibrant and confident woman who had once been the toast of Bollywood was found alone, with no family or friends by her side. Her funeral was attended by a few close acquaintances, and the media portrayed her demise as the tragic end of a once-celebrated star who had been forgotten by the world.
Remembering Parveen Babi: A Legacy Tainted by Tragedy

Parveen Babi’s story is a poignant reminder of the devastating effects of mental illness and the lack of awareness and support available during her time. Her life, marked by brilliance and tragedy, serves as a testament to the importance of understanding mental health and the need for compassion and support for those suffering in silence.

In her prime, Babi was a woman who lived life on her own terms—fearless, independent, and unapologetic. Yet, the very attributes that made her a trailblazer in Bollywood could not shield her from the inner turmoil that eventually consumed her. While her contributions to Indian cinema remain unparalleled, her personal struggles have become an integral part of her narrative.