Actor Prateik Smita Patil created a buzz on social media after sharing an emotional Father’s Day post dedicated to his late grandfather, Shivajirao Patil. While the heartfelt tribute touched many people, it also sparked discussion among fans because there was no mention of his father, veteran actor Raj Babbar.
On Father’s Day, Prateik shared a special photograph with his grandfather and wrote a deeply personal message expressing his love, gratitude and admiration. In the post, he described Shivajirao Patil as both his father and grandfather, crediting him for raising and guiding him through life. Prateik spoke about the values, discipline and strength that his grandfather instilled in him and said he would continue celebrating his legacy every day.
The tribute carried special emotional weight because Prateik lost his mother, legendary actress Smita Patil, shortly after his birth. Following her death, he was largely raised by his maternal grandparents, who played a major role in shaping his childhood and upbringing. In his post, Prateik expressed how fortunate he felt to have had his grandfather’s love and support, calling him the most dignified man he had ever known.
Soon after the post went viral, fans began sharing their reactions in the comments section. Many people supported Prateik and felt that the tribute was well deserved, considering the important role his grandparents played in his life. Several users pointed out that his maternal family raised him after his mother’s passing and therefore deserved recognition on a day dedicated to father figures.
However, others questioned why Raj Babbar was not mentioned in the post. Some social media users urged Prateik to acknowledge his father, while others expressed hope that the father and son would eventually reconcile. The discussion quickly turned into a debate about family relationships and the different forms that parental support can take.
Prateik and Raj Babbar have shared a complicated relationship over the years. While they were reportedly close at one point, reports suggest that tensions later developed between them. The situation became more noticeable when Prateik changed his name from Prateik Babbar to Prateik Smita Patil, choosing to honor his mother’s legacy more prominently.
Earlier this year, Prateik also made headlines when he married actress Priya Banerjee without inviting his father or step siblings to the wedding. The family differences later became public when his stepbrother, Arya Babbar, criticized him in an interview and accused him of only turning to Raj Babbar when he needed support. Prateik appeared to respond indirectly by sharing a cryptic social media post about misinformation.
Despite the ongoing family discussions, Prateik’s Father’s Day message remained focused on one person who played a major role in his life. For him, the day was about honoring the grandfather who raised him, guided him and left a lasting impact on the man he has become today.