The Babbar family has been at the centre of speculation after actor Prateik officially adopted his late mother, actor Smita Patil’s surname, changing his name to Prateik Smita Patil.

Reacting to Prateik’s decision, his half-brother, actor-comedian Arya Babbar tells us, “Smita ma is our mother too; the name he doesn’t want to keep and what he wants is his choice”.

“Kal ko main uthke apna naam Aarya Babbar se Aarya kar lun, ya Rajesh kar lun, main tab bhi Babbar hi rahunga na,” he shares, adding, “Aap apna name change kar sakte ho, wajood nahin.”

The existing rumours of a rift between Prateik and his father, actor-politician Raj Babbar were further fuelled after the actor chose not to invite any members of the Babbar clan to his wedding to actor Priya Banerjee in February.

In an interview following the wedding, Prateik had said, “I need to be wholly and solely associated with my mother and her legacy. I don’t think any other name needs to taint that.”