Prateik Smita Patil Reveals Inner Struggles with His Identity

Actor Prateik Smita Patil, son of legendary actress Smita Patil and veteran actor-politician Raj Babbar, has opened up about the emotional weight of his childhood — a life shadowed by fame, loss, and an ongoing search for identity.

In a heartfelt and raw interview shared on Varinder Chawla’s YouTube channel, Prateik revealed the silent questions that haunted him growing up — “Kaun hai maa? Kaun hai baap?” (“Who is my mother? Who is my father?”) — and how that confusion became a source of trauma he carried for years.

A Name That Carried Pain

After the sudden death of Smita Patil — who passed away just two weeks after giving birth to Prateik due to childbirth complications — the young boy was caught between custody battles and family tensions. He was raised by his maternal family, but the question of his surname remained a painful reminder of the fractured family dynamics.

“At first, my name in the passport was Prateik Smit Babbar. In school, people thought I was Christian because of ‘Smit’,” he recalled, highlighting how even a name became a source of misunderstanding and emotional disconnect.

During his debut in Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na (2008), he was known as Prateik Babbar. But soon after, he chose to drop his surname altogether — a quiet rebellion against the identities he felt had hurt him. “I don’t want to be Patil. I don’t want to be Babbar. I want to be just Prateik,” he said, his voice tinged with the vulnerability of someone trying to reclaim their own narrative.

Choosing Identity, Choosing Healing

Prateik admitted that bitterness toward his parents influenced his decision to let go of their surnames. “They have only given me trauma my entire life,” he said candidly. “I didn’t want to belong to them.”

But healing came slowly — and unexpectedly — through love. His wife, actress Priya Banerjee, played a pivotal role in guiding him toward emotional reconciliation. It was Priya who suggested he honor the mother he never got to know but always admired by taking her name. Thus, he officially became Prateik Smita Patil.

Now, with that name, he says, he feels “complete.” It’s no longer just about the pain of being born into fame — it’s about finding purpose through legacy, love, and loss.

Smita Patil’s Eternal Presence

Smita Patil was one of Indian cinema’s most powerful female voices — an actress known not only for her performances but also for her strength and grace. Though she passed far too soon, her spirit continues to guide Prateik’s journey. “She sacrificed her life for me,” he says, acknowledging the void that shaped his beginnings and the strength he now draws from it.

A Journey Still Unfolding

Today, Prateik Smita Patil continues to grow — as an actor and as a human being. From Sikandar to Mumbai Diaries and Four More Shots Please, his work reflects a layered man who has known pain, but also courage.

His story is not just about stardom or surnames. It’s about a boy who once felt lost — and is now slowly finding his way home.