Babbar-Smita
Subhash K Jha (DNA; December 18, 2015)

It has happened before on several occasions. Actor-parliamentarian Raj Babbar hardly ever attends events held in memory of his late wife Smita Patil.

Recently, a book on Smita by journalist Maithili Rao, was released. While Smita and Raj’s son Prateik attended, along with many prominent admirers and friends of the actress, Raj was conspicuous by his absence.

Earlier this week, the Smita Smriti Puraskar function, an event in Nagpur where unsung heroes are honoured every year, was attended by Smita’s son Prateik, but not his father.

When asked the reason for his absence from the events held in his wife’s memory, Raj said with a laugh, “It’s partly intentional and partly because I am not invited. But I am glad Prateik attends these events. They give him a chance to get to know his mother.”