New Delhi, April 3: Parveen Babi, regarded as one of the most glamorous and bold actresses in Hindi cinema, still holds a special place in the hearts of many. She carved her unique identity during the 70s and 80s, a time when most actresses adhered to traditional styles. In contrast, Parveen stood out with her modern and stylish looks. Her cinematic journey began in college when a director noticed her, changing her fate forever.
Born on April 4, 1954, in Junagadh, Gujarat, Parveen was the only child of her parents, born 14 years after their marriage. She completed her education in Ahmedabad and earned a master’s degree in English literature. During her studies, she dreamed of becoming self-reliant and was determined to move forward.
One day, upon learning that a film was being shot near her college, Parveen decided to check it out. It was there that director B.R. Ishara spotted her. Dressed in a mini skirt and smoking a cigarette outside the set, she caught his attention. He asked his photographer to take her picture, and after seeing the photos, he invited her to audition for a film.
In 1973, Parveen made her Bollywood debut with the film “Charitra.” Although it was not a major success, her personality and screen presence drew attention. Her first significant recognition came in 1974 with the film “Majdoor,” where she starred alongside Amitabh Bachchan. From that point on, she never looked back, delivering several blockbuster films.
The film “Deewar,” released in 1975, catapulted her to stardom. Following that, films like “Amar Akbar Anthony,” “Shan,” “Namak Halal,” and “Kala Patthar” established her as one of the top actresses in the industry. Notably, she starred in several successful films with Amitabh Bachchan, and their pairing was immensely popular. During that era, Parveen was among the highest-paid actresses.
Beyond films, Parveen was also a trendsetter in fashion and style. She popularized Western looks in Hindi cinema. Her fame was further solidified when she graced the cover of the international magazine “Time” in 1976, a significant achievement for any Indian actress at the time.
However, her personal life was not as smooth. She was linked to notable figures like Mahesh Bhatt, Kabir Bedi, and Danny Denzongpa but struggled to find stability in her relationships. Meanwhile, her health began to decline, and she was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, affecting her thoughts and behavior.
In 1983, she abruptly left the film industry and moved abroad. Years later, she returned, but everything had changed. Gradually, she isolated herself from the world and began living alone. On January 22, 2005, her body was found in her Mumbai apartment. The post-mortem report revealed that she had not eaten for several days, leading to her death from starvation and illness.
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