Prateik Babbar, son of late actress Smita Patil and actor-politician Raj Babbar, has openly discussed his struggles with drug addiction, offering insights into his troubled past and his journey toward sobriety. In a recent interview, Prateik revealed that he was expelled from filmmaker Subhash Ghai's Whistling Woods International Institute due to his drug use.
Babbar's addiction began at the age of 13, much earlier than when he entered the film industry. He clarified that his substance abuse was not a result of fame or money, but rather stemmed from a complicated family situation and a difficult upbringing. "It wasn't because of the film industry," he explained. "Unfortunately, I had a different kind of upbringing, and my family situation was a bit complicated, because of which, I started using drugs. It's not that fame and money in films led me to it—I had already started using drugs then". He described his early drug use as an escape from internal struggles and a search for belonging, noting that drugs initially appeared as a "glitzy escape".
After shooting for his debut film "Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na" in 2008, Prateik enrolled in Whistling Woods International. However, his addiction led to his expulsion from the acting institute within two years. He has been candid about the negative impact of his addiction on both his personal and professional life. Prateik acknowledged making "very bad choices" and giving in to his weaknesses, which resulted in a significant downfall.
Prateik expressed deep regret over the pain he caused his maternal grandparents, who raised him after his mother's death shortly after his birth. "The grandparents saw the worst of me in those last few years. I was a raging addict," he confessed. He particularly lamented that his grandmother passed away while he was still struggling with addiction, wishing she could have witnessed his transformation.
Over the years, Prateik has undergone rehabilitation and counseling to overcome his addiction. He has spoken about the lasting effects of his past struggles, particularly on his relationships. "Drugs are associated with trauma," he explained. "As long as that trauma isn't settled, it will continue to impact relationships and other areas of life". Despite these challenges, he has been actively working towards a healthier and more fulfilling life.
Prateik is now in a relationship with actress Priya Banerjee, and he credits her with supporting his ongoing journey of self-improvement. He acknowledged her positive influence in his life, with many people noting a remarkable change in him since they have been together. Prateik's story serves as a reminder of the complexities of addiction and the importance of addressing underlying trauma in the recovery process. His openness about his experiences aims to break misconceptions surrounding drug use and offer hope to others facing similar battles.
