Despite her tremendous success, this actress’s life took a dramatic and tragic turn in the early 1980s. She died due to multiple organ failure and her body was discovered three days after.

Parveen Babi is a name that resonated with beauty, talent and charisma, left an indelible mark on Bollywood during the 1970s and 1980s. Her tremendous performances in films like Deewar, Namak Halal, Amar Akbar Anthony, and Kaalia not only rose her to fame but also made her a style icon. Yet, beneath the glamour and success lay a tragic story of this leading lady that shocked her fans and the film fraternity alike.

In the era where actresses were stuck to traditional looks, Babi and bought a fresh wave of modernity and glamour to Bollywood. Her westernised image, complete with chic outfits and daring bikinis set her apart from other actresses of that time. She often faced backlash for her bold choices, but she continued to remain unapologetic about it, holding her own against criticism.

Despite her tremendous success, Babi’s life took a dramatic and tragic turn in the early 1980s. There were reports that actress was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. This illness is characterised by hallucinations, paranoia, delusions, leading to a profound detachment from reality. Her deteriorating mental health became evident when she abruptly quit the glamour world in 1983, leaving fans and colleagues in disbelief. She became paranoid, started cutting ties from her friends and family and falling back into isolation.

During her final years, Babi’s paranoia intensified. Reportdely, she stopped eating food, fearing it was poisoned. She became increasingly distrustful of everyone around her, believing that even the police were conspiring against her. Lalit Sharma, the son of Babi’s secretary recalled, “For groceries and essentials, she’d slip the money through the door and collect the milk and eggs once the man had left. She had even stopped eating cooked food, thinking someone must have poisoned it.”

On January 20, 2005. Parveen Babi was found dead in her Mumbai apartment. Her body was discovered three days after her death. The official cause of her demise was multiple organ failure. The vibrant and lively woman who once the celebrated actress of Bollywood was found alone, with no friend and family by her side. Media portrayed her death as the tragic end of a once-celebrated star who had been forgotten by the world.