Born into a Muslim family on April 4, 1949, Parveen Babi hails from Junagadh, Gujarat. Being the only child of her parents, Parveen was born fourteen years after her parents' marriage. She lost her father Vali Mohammed Khan Babi at the age of ten. (All photos/mid-day archives, Instagram)
At the age of 23, Parveen Babi began her modelling career (1972) and was lucky enough to grab a film opposite cricketer Salim Durrani in 1973. The film was titled Charitra (1973) that bombed at the Box Office, though Parveen grabbed eyeballs.
In 1975, Parveen Babi played Anita opposite Amitabh Bachchan in the blockbuster Deewar. Her first scene in the Yash Chopra's classic had the actress sharing a drink with Big B, lighting a cigarette and flirting with him over alcohol. She broke all the stereotypes that one would ever expect from a Bollywood heroine.
Parveen Babi was known for being a fashion icon. And in fact, throughout her career, she was thought of more as a glamorous heroine than a serious actress.
A still from Akarshan, featuring Akbar Khan and Parveen Babi. The film released in 1988. Parveen was labelled as the 'bold' actress and in fact, was lauded for her whatever she did as she did it all with aplomb.
Parveen Babi, was the first Indian star to be featured on the cover of the Asia edition of Time magazine in 1976. She was 27 when the Time cover, titled Asia's Frenetic Film Scene, was released.
Parveen Babi had tried her hands on performing Lavani (a Marathi dance form) too. With Ashanti (1982), which was inspired by the American television show Charlie's Angels, Parveen shared screen space with Shabana Azmi and Zeenat Aman.
Parveen Babi's Jawaani Janeman song from Namak Halal had become a rage in the 80s. In an era where being called 'western' or 'modern' were considered as abuse, Parveen did not much bother to change her image and was hardly seen playing the role of a sari-clad, sindoor-wearing wife of the hero in films.
Namak Halal's yet another song 'Raat Baaki, Baat Baaki' was also a super-hit. Parveen Babi looked her sensuous best in the song.
Parveen Babi's one of the memorable roles was of Jenny from Amar Akbar Anthony (1977). Her song with Big B 'My Name Is Anthony Gonsalves' was one of the hit songs from the film's music album.
Parveen Babi with Amitabh Bachchan in a still from Khuddar. Do you know Parveen shared screen space with Big B in over 15 Hindi films? Her first association with Amitabh Bachchan, Majboor (1974), was a hit.
Along with Zeenat Aman, Parveen Babi too was popular as the sex symbol of the 1970s and 1980s. It is said that Babi was one of the highest-paid Hindi actresses along with Reena Roy and Jaya Prada from 1976 to 1983.
However, at the peak of her career, Parveen Babi left the industry and was later diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. The yesteryear actress lived alone for the most part of her later years.
Parveen Babi lived an extremely reclusive life, rarely making a public appearance. She died a lonely death at her Mumbai apartment on Jan 20, 2005. Twenty-four hours after she died, it was discovered that Parveen Babi had passed away.
As per Parveen Babi's will, she left 70 per cent of her wealth for the welfare of underprivileged women and children from the Babi community, 10 per cent to the upliftment of the underprivileged in the Christian community, while the remaining 20 per cent to Muradkhan A Babi, Parveen's uncle, for the service he will be rendering while executing her final request.
Parveen Babi is considered among the most beautiful actresses to have graced the silver screen. She is being truly missed!
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