Prateik Babbar’s wedding to longtime girlfriend Priya Banerjee in Mumbai has become a source of emotional turmoil within his family. The actor’s decision to keep his father, veteran actor Raj Babbar, and his half-siblings off the guest list has left them hurt and searching for answers. Arya Babbar, Raj’s elder son, has now voiced his disappointment, questioning the reasons behind this growing divide.
In a candid interview, Arya expressed his anguish over being excluded. He reflected on the possibility that the family may have unintentionally failed Prateik. “Not inviting my mother (Nadira Babbar), my sister (Juhi Babbar), or me could be understood in some way—perhaps we have let him down. But Papa? Not inviting our father, his own father (Raj Babbar)… how could he do this? Papa is deeply hurt,” Arya stated. He further added that this decision would have deeply pained Prateik’s late mother, legendary actress Smita Patil, whom he has always revered. “If he stops to think for a moment, he would know that his mother, whom he loves so much, must be heartbroken. Would she have wanted this?”
Despite the disappointment, Arya emphasized that there are no grudges. “Prateik has always been an integral part of our family. The doors of our hearts are always open to him. We only wish him happiness in his marriage and success in his career.”
Prateik is the son of late actress Smita Patil and Raj Babbar, whose relationship blossomed during the filming of Bheegi Palkein (1982). At the time, Raj was married to Nadira Babbar but later left her for Smita. Tragically, Smita passed away in November 1986, at just 31, due to complications after childbirth. Following her untimely demise, Raj reconciled with Nadira, and they had two children, Arya and Juhi. While the family has maintained that Prateik was always welcomed as one of their own, his wedding snub has reignited speculation about a long-standing familial rift.
