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Kabir Bedi and Protima Bedi had what was famously known as an “open marriage,” and when Kabir met Parveen Babi, sparks flew.
Kabir Bedi was married to Protima Gupta, when their open marriage led him to develop feelings for Parveen Babi.
Back in the day, Kabir Bedi, wife Protima Bedi and Parveen Babi made headlines for their relationship. Kabir and Protima had what was famously known as an “open marriage,” and when Kabir met Parveen, sparks flew.
But the affair didn’t last. Parveen Babi and Kabir Bedi’s romance eventually fizzled out, not because of any betrayal, but because of Parveen’s mental health struggles. Kabir tried to get her to seek treatment, but she left him, fearing it would ruin her career. She was already paranoid about what people would think if they knew about her condition. So, she chose to walk away. Kabir and Protima were married in 1969 and divorced in 1977.
Kabir Bedi, in an old interview with Rediff after Parveen Babi’s death, had opened up on his relationship with her. He had said, “We were very much in love, and lived together for three years. We were one of the well-known couples of the time, and it was no secret that we lived together.”
Opening up on her condition, Kabir had said, “Naturally, one feels sad because it is such a tragic end. But apart from the early achievements and success, Parveen had a tragic life. The small girl from Junagudh came and conquered the bright lights of Bollywood, but after that, with the onset of her illness, her life was overshadowed by tragedy. Mahesh Bhatt informs me she was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, which is the worst form [of the disease].”
Kabir Bedi had last met Parveen Babi at his first wife Protima Bedi’s prayer meet. Looking back at Parveen’s relationship with Protima, he had said, “I met her last at the ceremony in memory of Protima Bedi, my first wife. Parveen had come to pay her respects. That was a very big gesture. Protima always saw Parveen as the woman who took me away from her and there was not much love between the two. So for Parveen to come for the memorial service was quite a step. I think she just wanted to heal the wounds and make peace with time.”
