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Prateik is trying to keep mum Smita Patil’s legacy alive
The pandemic has been harsh for artistes across the world. But the last two years turned out to be positive for sarod legend Ustad Amjad Ali Khan on a personal level, as he saw his nine-year-old grandsons — Abeer and Zohaan Ali Bangash (musician Ayaan Ali Bangash’s twins) — grow musically. “During the lockdown, Ayaan was able to spend a lot of time with Zohaan and Abeer and that was a great progress for them, musically. They played their first track, called Our Love, for my birthday in 2020, which was the greatest birthday present for me,” says Khan.
So, did he train them, too? “I teach them frequently. For Our Love, they based their sarod composition on the traditional raga Tilak Kamod. It is a composition that I had taught Amaan and Ayaan (Ali Bangash; sons) when they were the same age. The music video is a kaleidoscope of their memories with me,” he says.
Actor Prateik Babbar is seen paying a special tribute to his mother, late actor Smita Patil, in his latest release, Cobalt Blue. In one of the scenes, he shares screen space with her portrait. He took to social media recently to share a clip from the scene and wrote, “This is the first time (& hopefully not the last) my gorgeous mother & I will ever be seen in the same frame together.. even if it’s just her photograph.. (sic)”. Talking to us, an overwhelmed Babbar says, “It’s difficult to articulate the feeling. It is like she was holding my hand and guiding me through the entire way.”
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Ahead of his performance at the Royal Opera House on May 1, the veteran admits that like all industries, the music industry, too, was badly hit due to the pandemic: “So many concerts and projects were invariably postponed. Artistes across the world lost their jobs.” But, he utilised the time positively by “reinventing” himself. “The time allowed me a deeper connection with my music. With less distractions and no travelling, I was able to meditate with music in a much profound manner,” he shares. on-screen moment will remain etched in his heart for years to come: “The character I portray happens to be a fan of the great Smita Patil. And I am her son! It will forever be a precious moment and memory for me.”
Quiz him if he worries being known as ‘Smita Patil’s son’ despite working his way up in the film industry, and the actor says, “I want to continue working on my craft and be the best version of myself, as an actor and human being. I want to continue pursuing my passion and loving what I do. Through my work, I want to continue to do justice to who my mother was.”
The 35-year-old, who lost his mother when he was 15 days old, wants to leave no stone unturned to keep her legacy alive: “I am really trying so hard and I will never stop or give up. I hope people feel that I am indeed doing justice to her legacy. I hope she does.”