Babita Kapoor is a former Indian actress who is the niece of well-known actress “Sadhana” and the daughter of actor Hari Shivdasani. She made her acting debut in the drama film “Dus Lakh” in 1966. She became incredibly well-known when she starred with Rajesh Khanna in the 1967 romantic thriller “Raaz”. Working in almost 19 films with practically all of the star actors helped Babita succeed in her profession.
Wiki/Biography
On April 20, 1947, in Karachi, Babita Shivdasani-Kapoor (better known as Babita Kapoor) was born into a Sindhi family with Bombay roots. Babita decided to pursue a profession in acting after being encouraged by her cousin Sadhana Shivdasni. Her debut film, the popular drama “Dus Lakh”was released in 1966. She gained her name playing the character of “Sapna” opposite Rajesh Khanna in the romantic thriller “Razz” (1967). Later, Babita produced blockbuster films that made her a famous, including Farz (1967), Haseena Maan Jayegi (1968), Ek Shrimaan Ek Shrimanti (1969), and Banphool (1971). The stunning actress had almost nineteen film appearances before making her final appearance in “Sone ke Hath” (1973). Babita wed actor Randhir soon after she ended her professional career.
Babita Kapoor in her youth
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 3″
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Dark Brown
Family
Parents & Siblings
Babita is the child of actor Hari Shivdasani and a British Christian mother, Barbara Shivdasani. Meena Advani, a sibling of Babita, who later married and became the proprietor of Power master Engineers Private Limited and Power-master Tools Private Limited, was her costumer designer back in the 1960s. Babita’s paternal cousin and actress “Sadhana Shivdasani” pushed her to pursue a career in acting, but owing to some family issues, they were unable to communicate.
Babita Kapoor’s father, Hari Shivdasani
Babita Kapoor’s mother, Barbara Shivdasani
Husband & Children
On November 6, 1971, Babita married her longtime partner, actor Randhir Kapoor, in a grandiose ceremony. They had two daughters, Kareena Kapoor and Karisma Kapoor, both actors. Babita was the first woman in her family to encourage her daughters to pursue acting as a career, despite resistance from her in-laws. In the 1980s, Babita and her husband Randhir began to experience some unavoidable difficulties in their marriage, which eventually caused them to live apart for a while. However, in 2007, the couple sensibly decided to get back together.
Babita and Randhir with Daughters.
Babita Kapoor with Husband Randhir and Daughters – Karisma and Kareena.
Other Relatives
Babita is Karisma Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor‘s mother, Randhir Kapoor’s wife, Raj Kapoor’s daughter-in-law, Prithviraj Kapoor‘s grand-daughter-in-law, and actress Neetu Singh‘s and actor Rishi Kapoor‘s sister-in-law. Aunt to Ranbir Kapoor and Ridhima Kapoor.
Babita Kapoor with family at Ranbir – Alia wedding.
Relationships/Affairs
While working with him on the 1971 movie Kal Aaj Aur Kal, Babita met the love of her life: Randhir Kapoor. On November 6, 1971, in Mumbai (then known as Bombay), the pair exchanged vows after persuading their relatives to attend. However, they struggled in their marriage and ultimately chose to divorce in 1988. Despite their divorce, Babita and Randhir Kapoor still had a cordial connection with their kids. They kept helping one another and their girls. And the good news is that after living apart for a while, the couple reconciled in 2007.
Babita Kapoor with Husband then and now.
Religion
Babita generally follows Hinduism but her mother was a British Christian and father was from a sindhi hindu household. She thus observes Christmas and goes to church, just as she observes Hindu holidays and goes to temples.
Career
Film
In 1966, Babita gave rise to her acting career with the film “Dus Lakh”(1966) which also starred Sanjay Khan, Om Prakash and sister – in – law to be Neetu Singh. Although, the first film she signed was “Raaz”(1967) co-starring Rajesh Khanna which was released in 1967. She gained her name by giving blockbuster films such as Ek Shrimaan Ek Shrimati (1969) and Hasina Maan Jayegi (1968) with Shashi Kapoor (her future uncle – in – law), Farz, Ek Hasina Do Diwane and Banphool with Jeetendra, Doli (1969)with Rajesh Khanna, Tumse Accha Kaun Hai (1969) (with future uncle – in – law ) Shammi Kapoor, Kismat with Biswajeet, Kab? Kyoon? Aur Kahan? (1970) opposite Dharmendra and Pehchan (1970) with co-actor Manoj Kumar. She acted as ‘Monika’ (Mona) in the film Kal Aaj Aur Kal (1971)with her future husband Randhir Kapoor along with father – in – law Raj Kapoor and grandfather – in – law Prithviraj Kapoor. After her marriage to Randhir Kapoor, they were paired for a film Jeet (1972) which was a remake of a Telugu film En Annan. Following her husbands family tradition, Babita left the film Industry in 1973 with her last film Sone ke Hath.
Controversies
What transpired between Babita and Kapoor?
The 76-year-old actress, who reigned the silver screen, wed her beloved Randhir Kapoor in 1971 and joined the most illustrious film family, “The Kapoors,” in the process. Her love story, however, was hardly a fairytale. Babita and Randhir began to experience certain inevitable problems that caused them to live apart for more than ten years, but they never got divorced and were still legally married. Additionally, Randhir acknowledged himself as a “horrible husband” in an interview with Times of India in 2016 and claimed that the couple’s relationship had not changed because Kapoor still refers to Babita as his “happy place.” “She’s not got married again and nor does she intend to, neither do I. She continues to be my wife and I continue to be her incorrigible, horrible husband. So be it!” he said. Karisma Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor Khan, their children, have frequently spoken candidly about their upbringing by their single mother Babita and about their early years.
In an interview with Hindustan Times in 2011, Kareena spoke about the way she and her sister were brought up without the supervision of their father Randhir. She claimed about growing up in a non luxurious environs. Kareena added that,”We weren’t brought up in luxury, as people think about the Kapoor clan. My mom (Babita) and sister (Karisma) really struggled to give me a better life. Especially my mom, because she was a single parent. Everything was very limited for us”.
Awards, Honours, Achievements
- The story of a city girl (Babita) falling in love with a villager (Manoj Kumar) was the theme of Sohanlal Kanwar’s 1970 film Pehchan, which won the Filmfare award.
Net Worth
The successful 76 years old actress has a net worth of $ 1-5 million.
Facts/Trivia
- Babita was motivated to pursue a career in film by her paternal cousin, the actress “Sadhana,” but the two of them were estranged from one another because of these concerns.
- She played the lead in almost 19 films starring practically all of the famous names.
- Babita often likes to read book in her leisure time.
