Raj takes a deep breath and expresses immense love for his love-child Pratik. "I want my family as well as Pratik's mother's family to know that he is and always will be my son. Whatever Aarya or any other else has to say Pratik is my younger son. And as far as I am concerned I have three children Juhi, Aarya and Pratik. That will never change. "
When reminded that Pratik had never expressed any solidarity with his patriarchal side and had shown no love for his father's family Raj Babbar quickly rises to Pratik's defence. "
I refuse to believe that. I've seen the love and respect in Pratik's eyes for me. And that's enough to give me reason to believe that all my children love me and will be there for me when I need them. So what if Pratik has dropped the 'Babbar' surname? It's his choice and prerogative.
Do you know, my father was a 'Varma', grandfather was a 'Malhotra' and great grandfather was a 'Hakim'. I chose to call myself 'Babbar'. If Pratik wishes to be known without a surname it doesn't take away from his identity as my son. Nothing can change that. "
The impartial dispassionate father dissociates himself from Aarya's outburst against Pratik.
"That was between the two brothers. I don't want to get into. Why should I put Aarya in the dock for what he said about Pratik? That was a hurt brother reacting. It's between Aarya and Pratik. If Pratik feels he has a brother in someone else what's wrong with that?
When I came into the film industry I felt B. R Chopra was like a father away from home. New relationships are formed within the film industry. It doesn't mean the older relationships cease to matter. "
Raj feels there're lots of people in the troubled relationship between the Babbars and Patils who are trying to create trouble. "Nowadays anyone can say anything to get publicity. Let people talk. My children will never
speak against me.Pratik may not have grown up in my house. But he has been brought up with the right values by his lovely mother's family. I don't expect any of my children to do anything that will compromise me. "
Raj Babbar doesn't discount the possibility of Pratik staying with the rest of the Babbar family. "This question came up 25 years ago when Pratik was born and his mother passed away. I wanted to raise my child like any father. But Smita's family wanted that privilege. I respected that. However the doors to my home are forever open for Pratik. "
The proud father has only words of praise for Pratik's acting talent. "He's a very fine artiste. Pratik has inherited his mother's genes. He will go very far in life. I'm there to offer Pratik every kind help that a father can. "
