Remember the disco era of Hindi cinema? Parveen Babi was its undisputed queen, blending Western chic with desi allure. Her real triumph, however, lay in romancing Amitabh Bachchan on screen, sparking a partnership that lit up box offices from ‘Amar Akbar Anthony’ to ‘Namak Halaal.’
Parveen’s journey began in 1949 Junagadh, born to doting parents after 14 years of marriage. Orphaned young by her father’s demise, she grew up under her mother’s devoted care in Ahmedabad. A star pupil in school and sports, she pursued English Literature in college, poised for greatness.
Debuting amid ‘Charitra’s’ failure in 1973, Parveen’s elegance stole the show. ‘Majboor’ showcased her range, proving she was more than a pretty face.
With Amitabh, she sizzled in eight films. ‘Amar Akbar Anthony’ (1977) introduced their bubbly romance amid triple-role mayhem. ‘Namak Halaal’ (1982) had her owning glamorous songs like ‘Namak Halaal Hai.’ ‘Kala Patthar’ and ‘Shaan’ balanced action and emotion, their rapport electric.
Global recognition came via Time magazine in 1976. With 100+ films, she commanded respect from peers like Dharmendra and Naseeruddin Shah.
Scandals swirled around her loves with Kabir Bedi and others, but 1983 marked her exit. She retreated to the US, grappling with mental health issues. On January 20, 2005, her body was found in Mumbai after days, ending a life of brilliance and tragedy.