It’s not common in Indian tradition for individuals to adopt dual surnames from their maternal and paternal lineage. While the trend gained popularity with actresses blending their maiden and marital surnames, further Bollywood actor Prateik Babbar broke major norms by adding his mother’s surname to his identity, becoming ‘Prateik Patil Babbar’ and in the recent exclusive interview with Lehren Retro, Juhi Babbar, Prateik’s step-sister expressed immense pride in his decision.
Juhi Babbar, who is the daughter of veteran actor Raj Babbar from his first marriage with Nadira Zaheer Babbar, shared how their bond as siblings has always been strong despite their complex family dynamics. When discussing this unique choice, Juhi Babbar said she was thrilled about Prateik’s tribute to their late mother, the iconic actress Smita Patil.
Was Juhi Hesitant to Accept Prateik as Her Brother?
Addressing whether accepting Prateik as a brother was ever difficult, Juhi firmly denied any such challenges. She proudly stated, “Accepting word yeh toh hai hi nahi, kyunki Prateik mera bhai hai toh vo bhai hai! (The word ‘accepting’ doesn’t apply because Prateik is my brother, and he is my brother!).”
When pressed further, she added, “Kya, kyu? hesitation kaise? kya? (Why, how, hesitation? What hesitation?) He is my brother, and no one in the world can change that. No one at all. He is my brother, and he will always remain my brother.” Juhi also revealed that Prateik is actively involved in her family’s celebrations, saying, “He’s there all the time! He’s there on Diwali, Eid, birthdays—he’s always around.”
Juhi Babbar On Brother Prateik Babbar ‘s Change In Name
Talking about Prateik’s decision to add “Patil” to his name, Juhi explained that it had been on his mind for a long time. “Initially, in school, his name was ‘Prateik Smith Babbar,’ which later became confusing as it sounded like a Christian name. Then, in films, he was just ‘Prateik Babbar.’ And now, he’s added ‘Patil,’ becoming ‘Prateik Patil Babbar.’”
Juhi believes Prateik drew inspiration from her decision to change her name to ‘Juhi Babbar Soni’ after her marriage. She recalled, “When I told him I had added my husband’s surname, he said, ‘Didi, this is amazing.’ He took his time but eventually did it. I’m so happy he’s done this!”
Watch the latest exclusive interview of gorgeous Juhi Babbar Soni, in which she reveals everything about her Babbar parivaar, including talking about her personal and profession life.
Prateik Babbar is the son of Raj Babbar and the legendary Smita Patil, who passed away due to childbirth complications shortly after his birth. Juhi praised Prateik’s decision to honour their mother’s memory by adopting her surname, further solidifying his connection to her legacy.
Also, the siblings’ relationship is evident in their frequent interactions on social media, Juhi adorably calling him ‘Pitlu’.. reflecting a bond that transcends the term “step-siblings” .