Prateik Babbar, the son of the late actor Smita Patil, has been candid about his past struggles with addiction. In a recent interview, he revealed that there was a time in his life when he harbored resentment towards both his mother and father, actor Raj Babbar. Smita tragically passed away during childbirth, and Prateik was raised by his maternal grandparents. It wasn't until later in life that he reconnected with his father.Trauma and Rebellion: The Roots of ResentmentReflecting on his early years in the film industry, Prateik told Bollywood Bubble that while the constant comparisons to his legendary mother were present, they didn’t bother him as much at the time. He explained that he hadn't fully come to terms with being her son, as he was still struggling with his own sense of identity.
The actor has come to accept his identity as the son of Smita Patil, but he admitted that this wasn’t always the case. Reflecting on his past, he shared how, at one point, he harbored resentment toward both his mother and his father, Raj Babbar. Growing up without his mother, who passed away during childbirth, and with limited involvement from his father, left Prateik feeling disconnected and different from others. The way people treated him with pity only intensified these feelings.He further revealed that, having never spent time with his mother, he struggled with conflicting emotions towards her and his parents. He found himself questioning whether he loved them or wanted to be associated with them. At a certain stage, he realized that the rebellious feelings he had as a child had turned into resentment. He explained that when someone comes from a place of trauma and recognizes things weren't right, it's easy to develop feelings of hatred toward their parents.Limited Connection with His FatherWhen discussing his relationship with his father and whether he ever talked about these feelings with him, Prateik explained that although they have worked to rebuild their relationship, he was never able to have open conversations with his father. He acknowledged their attempts to form a bond but accepted that certain conversations were simply not possible due to the nature of their situation.Marriage Without His Father’s PresencePrateik Babbar recently got married but chose not to invite his father, Raj Babbar, to the wedding.