Actors Prateik Babbar and Priya Banerjee made their relationship official with an intimate wedding ceremony in Mumbai on Valentine’s Day. However, the celebrations have been shadowed by family tensions, as Prateik’s half-brother Aarya Babbar and half-sister Juuhi Babbar Sonii revealed that the Babbar family was not invited to the wedding.
Speaking to Bombay Times, Juuhi acknowledged Aarya’s disappointment, stating that he, like the rest of the family, was hurt by the exclusion. She described the situation as a “sensitive topic” within the family, one that predates Prateik’s birth.
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Juuhi suggested that external influences played a role in Prateik’s decision, saying, “Right now, he’s surrounded by people who have influenced him. But we don’t want to put him in the middle because that won’t help anyone. When I say ‘sandwich,’ it’s not about Prateik being caught between Priya and us—absolutely not. Priya is a wonderful girl, and he is lucky to have found a partner who truly loves and understands him. The real issue is someone else—someone desperate for publicity and importance.”
She also dismissed the idea that the Babbar family’s presence would have overshadowed the couple’s special day. “Everyone knows my mother (Nadira Babbar) has always been there for Prateik. Our family has a strong presence, and maybe people feared we would take away attention. But all we want is for our brother to be happy and at peace,” she added.
Despite the wedding snub, Juuhi insisted there is no animosity between Prateik and the family, expressing hope for future reunions. Aarya, on the other hand, told the publication that he does not understand why they were left out, alleging that “someone overpowered his brain.”
A Complicated Family History
Prateik Babbar is the son of veteran actor Raj Babbar and the late Smita Patil. Raj was previously married to Nadira Babbar from 1975 to 1983, but after meeting Smita Patil on the sets of Bheegi Palkein in 1982, he left Nadira and later married Smita. Prateik was born in 1986, but Smita passed away due to complications during childbirth. Raj and Nadira later reconciled and had two children, Aarya and Juuhi.
This is Prateik’s second marriage. He was previously married to Sanya Sagar, but the couple parted ways in 2023 after a year of marriage.