The relationship between Parveen Babi and Kabir Bedi was a captivating chapter in Bollywood's history, marked by love, mental health struggles, and professional dynamics. Recently, Kabir Bedi has opened up about his bond with Parveen Babi, shedding light on their initial meeting, the deepening of their relationship, and his efforts to support her through mental health challenges.
Kabir Bedi and Parveen Babi's relationship began when both were at pivotal points in their lives. Kabir was nearing the end of his marriage with Protima Bedi, while Parveen was concluding her relationship with Danny Denzongpa. According to Kabir, he "fell very deeply in love with her". He described her as a "very sensitive, intelligent, and caring woman".
However, their relationship was also marked by Parveen's mental health struggles. Kabir revealed that he discovered she had "some mental problems" during their time together. Despite this, his love for her motivated him to provide support. "But agar aap kisi se pyaar karte hai toh (If you deeply love someone) your desire is to help that person," he explained.
In his autobiography, "Stories I Must Tell: The Emotional Journey of an Actor," Kabir shared an incident that occurred in Rome involving Italian actress Gina Lollobrigida. Gina had invited Parveen and Kabir to a gathering of friends and a private dinner at an exclusive restaurant. According to Kabir, Gina seemingly ignored Parveen throughout the evening, focusing her attention solely on him. This dynamic continued even during a private dinner, where Gina asked Kabir to dance.
This incident reportedly upset Parveen, who felt sidelined and disrespected. Kabir Bedi acknowledged that Parveen "resented" his stardom in Italy. He explained that she "wasn't used to being second fiddle to me. Suddenly, I was the star and she wasn't. This also upset her". While Parveen was a bigger star than Kabir in India, he had achieved significant fame in Italy with his series 'Sandokan,' which aired in 1976.
Kabir also noted that Parveen had wanted to leave Hindi films to live abroad. Moreover, according to Kabir, "People in Europe weren't giving her the same respect she was getting in India".
Parveen Babi's personal life was subject to much media attention. She remained unmarried, although she had relationships with Danny Denzongpa, Kabir Bedi, and Mahesh Bhatt. It is believed that she was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, which became publicly known following various incidents. Parveen Babi passed away on January 20, 2005, at the age of 50, in her Mumbai apartment. An autopsy indicated that she died from organ failure and diabetes.
Kabir Bedi has expressed his sorrow over Parveen's passing, acknowledging the immense suffering she endured. He described her as "very beautiful, intelligent, and sensitive" and noted that she attempted to conceal her problems from others.