Prateik Babbar Maa ka lal

Prateik Babbar, 21, son of Smita Patil and Raj Babbar debuted in Jaane Tu. The newbie talks about his odd choice for debut, his mother and the importance of making people laugh. Read on

Your presence in Jaane Tu was to be a surprise?
It was a bit of surprise to me too! They wanted to keep it under wraps. I did it just for the heck of it. Like my mom (Smita Patil), I don't care about the role's length. If I made people laugh or cry or just touched their hearts in my small part, I'm fine with that.

Are you as anti-social as your character?
To some extent, I'm quite like the character. I am quiet and I like to keep to myself. He's witty and sarcastic.

Like you?
A bit of it, yes. I did the part because I connected with it. I didn't do it as career launch, or anything. It was a very interesting role, though not pivotal. Director Abbas Tyrewala's wife, Pakhi, thought I was right for it, so I did it. But I'm working towards a film career now.

I trained at Mr Subhash Ghai's school about a year back. And I've decided to take another acting course so I can be prepared to be in Hindi films. I'd like to brush up my Hindi. There's so much competition around. And you have to be doing your best.

I believe you're a bit of a loner?
I do have a lot of friends, but I prefer being alone. I'm not comfortable being with people all the time. I kinda get bored at clubs and parties. I keep myself busy, but I like to keep my life simple.

How do you feel when people tell you look exactly like your mom Smita Patil whom you've never seen?
It's a wonderful feeling. But I also feel sad because I never got to spend time with her. It's a strange feeling, as though people are talking about someone whom I'm very close to and yet never met. I'm glad people have seen my mom in my face and my acting. I just hope I do her proud. I love cinema, not just acting. Every aspect of it.

Shabana has unofficially adopted you. She thinks you're Smita's mirror image.
That's a wonderful burden to carry around. I hope I'm able to live up to everyone's expectations.

How do you connect with your mother?
(Falls silent) People know more about her than I do. I've had to piece together a picture of her through what people tell me about her. It's a very curious connect with my mom. But it's something I've come to terms with.

You grew up with your grandparents?
Yes, I still stay with my grandparents. They're the most beautiful people in the world. And I do look upon them as my parents. They've never allowed me to miss having real parents around. But still, this is not a normal way to grow up. And I miss my mom.

Do you watch her films?
Of course I do! My favourite are Chakra, Mirch Masala, Namak Halaal, Bhumika, Nishant. She challenges me as an actor. She kinda gives me an incentive to work hard. She's an awesome benchmark to live up to. I'd like to be exactly like her in my selection of roles and acting quality.

How connected are you with your dad (Raj Babbar)?
Very connected. He's very supportive of me. Always concerned about I do with my life. After seeing me in Jaane Tu, he's very proud of me.

But I believe he was unhappy about your doing this film?
He wasn't unhappy about my doing the film. He was unhappy because I didn't take his permission. He has been around in the film industry long enough to know you need to get it (the debut) right the first time.

So you did it own your own?
Yup. I didn't ask anyone. That's the way I am.

Do you bond with Juhi and Arya, your siblings?
Of course, I do.

Have you done any acting before Jaane Tu Jaane Na?
Yes I have. I've done some ads. So I knew what it would be like to be in front of a camera. I was working with Prahlad Kakkad who was a really close friend of my mom. I'm not in the least camera-conscious. I don't bother with whether I'm looking good or bad. I'm not looking at this as a career launch. I'd much rather go with the flow.

Were you infected by the team spirit during Jaane Tu
I did keep people cracking up on the sets. I like to make people laugh. That's a good thing, right? In the process, I often make a fool of myself. I don't mind, as long as there's laughter on the sets. I think everyone should be happy.

Are you?
I'd like to be.

What next?
I hate being idle. I'm always doing something with myself. More workshop, diction classes. I want to keep learning till the day I die. I also love to travel. Like I said I'm going with the flow.

How will you avoid being trapped in quirky cameos after Jaane Tu?
Ummmm. this is just my first baby step. Even my mom started with cameos in films like Nishant. In fact, she was never bothered with the length of a role. She was a fearless actor. I'd love to be like her. So if I'm not the lead in Jaane Tu, it doesn't matter.