Parveen Babi

Born: April 4, 1949 in Junagadh

Biography: Parveen Babi, the sensational actress of the 1980s who was known for her glamorous looks, was the only child to her parents. Her father was an administrator with the Nawab of Junagadh. She completed her schooling from Aurangabad and later studied at St. Xaviers’ College, Ahmedabad. She made her first debut into films with the movie Charitra in 1973, while still in college. She was the first Indian actress to appear on the TIME magazine cover in March 1977.

Babi acted in a host of successful films and was paired onscreen most successfully with co-star Amitabh Bachchan in films like Deewar, Amar Akbar Anthony, Khuddar, Kaalia, Namak Halaal and Shaan. Due to her portrayal of the modern urban woman who didn’t care about societal norms, she was often compared to former actress Zeenat Aman.

Babi was also cast in a supporting role in Manoj Kumar’s film Kranti. Her other films include Chandi Sona, Bullet, The Burning Train, Kaala Patthar, Aakarshan, et al. Though most of her films were male centered, Babi was able to lend a particular sensuality and beauty to the role. Her long silky hair and stunning yet subtle looks made her a favourite with audiences.

But, in 1983, Babi moved to New York for some treatment with regard to her mental illness, often speculated as schizophrenia. She returned to Mumbai in 1992, but seemed unrecognizable and had put on a lot of weight. She filed a case against Amitabh Bachchan and other foreign dignitaries accusing them of conspiring to kill her. But this petition was dismissed in court for want of evidence. She also filed an affidavit in court for the 1993 serial bomblasts, claiming that she had evidence. But she never appeared in court due to the fear of being killed.

Babi died at her Juhu residence out of gangrene of the foot due to some diabetic complication at the age of 55.

AKA & Alternative Spellings: Parvin Babi, Parween Babi