Bollywood in the 1970s and 1980s was an era ruled by iconic actresses who shaped the industry with their talent and personality. Among them, Parveen Babi stood out for her stunning beauty, bold image and magnetic screen presence that captivated audiences across India.
Originally from Junagadh, Gujarat, Parveen Babi began her journey in the glamour world as a model in 1971. Just two years later, she stepped into films with Charitra (1973) opposite cricketer Salim Durani. Although the movie did not perform well at the box office, it became the gateway to bigger opportunities for the young actress.
Her real breakthrough came with Deewar, starring Amitabh Bachchan, where she played the character Anita. The performance made her widely popular and established her as a leading actress. Soon after, Parveen Babi delivered memorable roles in films like Majboor, Amar Akbar Anthony, Kaala Patthar, Namak Halaal, Kala Sona, and Chandi Sona.
Parveen Babi’s modern and confident image made her one of the most sought-after stars of that time. In fact, filmmakers were often willing to wait for months to get her dates. One famous example was Suhaag, starring Amitabh Bachchan and Shashi Kapoor.
Director Manmohan Desai was determined to cast Parveen Babi in the film and waited nearly six months for her. The film’s muhurat took place in 1976, during the Emergency, which created several production challenges. Because of restrictions in India, many important scenes were shot in Singapore and London, which was unusual for a low-budget film at the time.
Complications arose when Parveen Babi suddenly left for London with her then-boyfriend Kabir Bedi. Though Manmohan Desai briefly considered casting Simi Grewal, he believed only Parveen could play the modern, foreign-educated character convincingly.
When Parveen Babi unexpectedly returned to India, she was surprised to learn the role had been kept for her. She quickly completed her portions and when Suhaag released in 1979, it became a massive hit, with audiences loving its performances, music and star-studded cast.
