'Bhansali Called, But I Was in Rehab': Prateik Babbar On Losing Saawariya To Ranbir

Prateik Babbar reveals he was Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s original choice for Saawariya, but missed the opportunity due to being in rehab at the time.

While Ranbir Kapoor made his Bollywood debut at the age of 25 with Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s 2007 film Saawariya, not many know that he wasn’t the director’s first choice for the role.

Source : IMDb

While Ranbir Kapoor made his Bollywood debut at the age of 25 with Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s 2007 film Saawariya, not many know that he wasn’t the director’s first choice for the role. Actor Prateik Babbar recently revealed that Bhansali had initially considered casting him in the film. However, the opportunity slipped away due to Prateik's stay in a rehabilitation centre at the time.

Prateik Babbar on Missing Saawariya

In an interview with Bollywood Bubble, Prateik confirmed the long-standing rumour when asked if Bhansali had approached him for Saawariya. He said:“Unfortunately, I was in rehab at the time. I was 18 years old. Mr. Bhansali had called our landline.”

When asked whether Bhansali knew about his condition, Prateik clarified:“He wasn’t aware (that I was in rehab). And I don’t think he was aware how old I was either because I was very young.”

At the time, Prateik was living with his maternal grandparents. He is the son of late legendary actress Smita Patil, who passed away during childbirth, and veteran actor Raj Babbar. Recalling how he found out about the missed opportunity, Prateik said:“I came to know a year or two later. My grandfather told me, ‘Sanjay Leela Bhansali had called for you, but you were in the hospital then.’”

Battling Addiction and Regret

In the same interview, Prateik also opened up about his long struggle with substance abuse. He shared emotional memories of his family, particularly his grandparents, who witnessed his darkest phases:“The grandparents saw the worst of me in those last few years. I was a raging addict. My grandmother died seeing me an addict. That’s something I regret. I wish she could see the man I have become today.”

Prateik Babbar's Bollywood Debut

Prateik eventually made his acting debut with a supporting role in Abbas Tyrewala’s 2008 film Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na. He revealed that after the film, he attended film school but was later expelled due to his ongoing drug addiction at the time.