Parveen Babi

Overview

Born
April 4, 1949 · Junagadh, Saurashtra, India
Died
January 20, 2005 · Juhu, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India (accidental overdose)
Birth name
Parveen Wali Mohammad Khan Babi
Height
5′ 7″ (1.70 m)

Biography

Family

Parents

Trademarks

Big doe eyes
Sultry image and charming mannerisms
Was a style icon of her time: often wore western and hippy style clothing.
Long silky brown hair

Trivia

She was suffering from schizophrenia, a serious mental disorder.
She suffered from diabetes from an early age and when found dead in her home, one of her feet was gangrenous. It is suspected she may have simply died from diabetic complications.
In 1984, Praveen Babi wrote an autobiography and left the manuscript with U.G.Krishnamurthy. The book was never published.
She went to school with actress Bindiya Goswami's older sister Pearl, so she knew Bindiya as a little girl. Parveen and Bindiya later acted together in the big-budget film Shaan (1980), but the shooting was delayed, because of Parveen's absence. As Bindiya later explained it, "We were told she was suffering from jaundice (Parveen's mental illness reportedly began at this time) and not what had actually happened to her. For two months the set where Jeete hain shaan se was to be shot stood idle. Eventually, Parveen returned and shot it quickly. She had put on some weight but looked lovely! From no angle could one say she was unwell". She had warm memories of Parveen, with whom she worked again in Khud-Daar (1982). She said, "Parveen was my sister Pearl's friend. She treated me like a kid sister, a bachcha. Pearl didi (who worked as a air hostess) would bring make-up from abroad - Mary Quant, Rimmel products. Parveen picked up what she liked from them. We shared make-up on the set too. We shared a comfort level.".
Parveen Babi was 2nd highest paid Hindi actress along-with Reena Roy from 1976-80 and 3rd highest paid Hindi actress along-with Jaya Prada from 1981-83.

Quotes

One day I was sitting in my make-up room with full film makeup, when I noticed that my skin had lost its luster, my foundation had turned dark on my face. I felt deep fear in the pit of my stomach. That was the beginning of my nightmare.
The essence of spirituality lies in being a good human, and following, good, positive principles.
[Explaining what the biggest joke is to her, 1999 Interview] The biggest joke of the millennium was Amitabh Bachchan being nominated as the star of the millennium superseding Mr. Marlin Brando, Elvis Presley, I mean everybody, you name him?
[Stardust Interview on her relationship with Kabir Bedi turmoiling at the time, 1977] Kabir is now exposed to all kinds of new experiences, in terms of glamour and women. I have seen it for myself that all those females are ready to throw themselves at him. And if Kabir gets attracted to anyone, I could hardly blame him. But I can't be expected to take it all and sit back and be treated like a doormat.
[1998 Interview] Today, the majority of the industry has cut ties with me because of one man! Anyway, I don't feel let down. On the contrary, I feel it's their loss. The film industry is wonderful in the beginning, when you are in your youth. But then, it doesn't let you grow in any other direction. The reason I didn't attempt to make a comeback in the industry is because this man is still there.