EXCLUSIVE: Prateik Babbar on carrying the legacy of mother Smita Patil: I am extremely privileged to be her son

Prateik Babbar featured in the recently released movie India Lockdown, directed by Madhur Bhandarkar. The film was released on Zee5 on December 2. Ahead of the release of India Lockdown, we sat down with Prateik for a candid conversation. During the interaction, the actor revealed how it was Madhur Bhandarkar who motivated him to play the part in the movie. Prateik Babbar shared that he took up the challenge as his late mother, actress Smita Patil would play such characters.

In an exclusive conversation with us, the India Lockdown actor was asked if it is ever disheartening that he has to live up to his late mother’s legacy. Prateik Babbar said it is not ‘disheartening’ and mentioned he feels privileged to be the son of his late mother, Smita Patil.

Babbar told Bollywood Bubble, “I won’t say disheartening. Being in a conversation with that woman (mother Smita Patil) it’s just, that’s it. Even being in a conversation with that woman; I am absolutely extremely privileged and lucky to be her son.”

 

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He added, “Mere liye, bilkul, pressure hai, pressure feel hota hai. Itni badi hasti. Itna kamaya, itne kam waqt mein. Lekin, it’s I would never stop trying. Main koshish karte rahunga. Aur yeh hi meri zindagi hai. (For me, yes, I have pressure, I feel pressure. She is such a big name. She has earned immense respect in so less time. But, I would never stop trying. I will keep trying. And this is only going to be my life.)”

Take a look at the full conversation below:

During the interview, Prateik recalled what pushed him to take the role in India Lockdown. He said, “Aur sir (Madhur Bhandarkar) ne jaise kaha ‘Dekh tere maa ne aise kirdaar nibhaye hai, mitti se juday kirdaar nibhaye hai. Yeh teri opportunity hai, to pay homage to your mother, to pay tribute to your mother’. Phir bhi nervous tha main (And as Madhur Bhandarkar sir told me ‘See, your mother has played such characters, the ones that are earthy. This is your opportunity to pay homage to your mother, to pay tribute to your mother’. But still, I was nervous).”

Smita Patil was married to Raj Babbar. She passed away at 31, in December 1986, due to childbirth complications.

Also Read: India Lockdown Trailer: Madhur Bhandarkar film will make you revisit the ‘struggle, grief’ of Covid-19 lockdown