In a recent interview, actor Arya Babbar has responded to persistent speculation surrounding his father, veteran actor Raj Babbar, and actress Rekha. The conversation, which touched on family matters and past relationships, has once again brought attention to the well-documented personal life of Raj Babbar.
Raj Babbar and Rekha shared the screen in several films during the 1980s, including Agar Tum Na Hote, Jhoothi, Amiri Garibi, and Insaaf Ki Awaaz. While their professional collaboration was notable, rumours of a personal relationship have circulated for decades.
Speaking with journalist Vickey Lalwani, Arya Babbar reflected on his father’s history of relationships. He recalled how Raj Babbar had fallen in love with actress Smita Patil while still married to his first wife, Nadira. The couple had tied the knot in 1975 and had two children, Juhi and Arya. Raj Babbar reportedly married Smita Patil in 1983. Smita Patil passed away in December 1986 at the age of 31 due to complications following the birth of their son, Prateik Babbar.
Arya noted that after Smita Patil’s death, his father eventually reconciled with Nadira and the family. He described the period of separation and the later reunion, mentioning that he was around nine or ten years old when the family moved into a new home in Juhu.
When asked directly about the rumours involving Rekha, Arya Babbar offered a candid perspective. He acknowledged the possibility of attraction, stating that Rekha’s beauty was undeniable. “If you are asking me if he was attracted to Rekha — she is so beautiful, who would not be attracted? Wouldn’t you feel attracted? I would feel attracted. So if he felt attracted, he felt attracted. It’s human. What’s wrong with that?” he said.
The actor emphasized that his family has moved forward from these past events. Now 44 years old, Arya pointed out that the focus on his father’s personal relationships has overshadowed other aspects of Raj Babbar’s life and achievements. “We have all moved on from it, and because we have moved on, everyone else should move on too,” he remarked. He added that carrying emotional baggage from such matters is unnecessary, noting that no child enjoys hearing about a parent’s affair, but acceptance comes with time.
Arya also expressed empathy for his father’s grief following Smita Patil’s untimely death, describing it as a profound loss that anyone deeply invested in a relationship would struggle to overcome.
The discussion highlights how public interest in celebrity family dynamics continues to influence the narratives around public figures and their children, even decades later. Raj Babbar’s marriages and relationships remain topics of interest in the entertainment industry.
