Mahesh Bhatt recently opened up about his intense three-year relationship with the iconic actress Parveen Babi, who passed away at 50 in 2005. Babi was initially cast in Bhatt’s film “Ab Meri Baari,” a project Bhatt undertook to spend more time with her. The film, which also featured Dev Anand, Rishi Kapoor, and Tina Ambani, faced significant challenges when Babi experienced a mental health crisis during production. As a result, Bhatt made the difficult decision to replace her with Rekha. Despite its star-studded cast, the film encountered financial difficulties and was ultimately shelved, never making it to theaters.
In a candid interview with Radio Nasha Official, Bhatt reflected on the challenging period he faced while in a relationship with Babi. The romance between the filmmaker and the actress began in 1977, following Babi’s breakup with actor Kabir Bedi. Their relationship, marked by intense emotions, led Bhatt to leave his wife, Lorraine Bright (Kiran Bhatt), and their daughter, Pooja Bhatt, to be with Babi. However, the relationship eventually deteriorated due to Babi’s escalating mental health issues.
Parveen Babi struggled with paranoid schizophrenia, a condition that led her to experience severe delusions. She became convinced that she was being targeted by powerful figures, including politicians and intelligence agencies. This overwhelming paranoia caused Babi to withdraw from the public eye, and despite her fame, she spent her later years in isolation, battling her mental health challenges.
