Prateik Smita Patil honours grandfather Shivajirao on 9th death anniversary
Synopsis
Prateik Smita Patil's anniversary tribute to grandfather Shivajirao Girdhar Patil is more than a social media post — it surfaces a story of loss, resilience, and the grandparents who stepped in after Smita Patil's death in 1986 to raise a child who had never known his mother.
Key Takeaways
Prateik Smita Patil shared a childhood throwback photo on the ninth death anniversary of grandfather Shivajirao Girdhar Patil on 22 July 2026 .
His caption read: '9 years ago July 22nd 2017 - Rest in power my hero.' Shivajirao Patil was the father of actress Smita Patil , a noted politician, social activist, and recipient of the Padma Bhushan .
Following Smita Patil's death in December 1986 days after childbirth, Shivajirao and wife Vidyatai Patil raised Prateik .
Prateik has credited his grandparents for the discipline, compassion, and security they gave him growing up without his mother.
Actor Prateik Smita Patil marked the ninth death anniversary of his late grandfather, Shivajirao Girdhar Patil, on 22 July 2026 by sharing a treasured childhood photograph alongside an emotional tribute on social media. The post offered a rare, personal window into the family bond that shaped the actor's early life.
The Post and What It Showed
In the throwback image shared on his social media account, a young Prateik is seen seated on his grandfather's lap, dressed in a black suit with a white shirt and tie. Shivajirao Patil sits behind him in a traditional light-coloured kurta-pyjama, arms wrapped warmly around his grandson.
Alongside the photograph, Prateik wrote: '9 years ago July 22nd 2017 - Rest in power my hero.'
Who Was Shivajirao Girdhar Patil
Shivajirao Girdhar Patil was the father of legendary actress Smita Patil and a prominent figure in Maharashtra's public life. A respected politician and social activist, he was honoured with the Padma Bhushan for his extensive contribution to public service. His wife, Vidyatai Patil, was a noted social worker.
Following the untimely death of Smita Patil in December 1986 — just days after she gave birth to Prateik — the couple took on the responsibility of raising their grandson. Prateik, the son of veteran actor Raj Babbar and the late National Award-winning actress Smita Patil, lost his mother when he was only a few days old due to complications following childbirth.
A Childhood Shaped by Grandparents
Over the years, Prateik has spoken openly in interviews about the central role his grandparents played in his upbringing. He has credited them for instilling discipline and compassion in him, and for providing a sense of security in the wake of his mother's tragic passing. Growing up without Smita Patil, the bond with Shivajirao and Vidyatai became a defining thread of his life.
Prateik's Career in Hindi Cinema
Prateik made his acting debut with Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na and earned widespread critical acclaim for his performance in Dhobi Ghat. He has since appeared in a range of films including Aarakshan, My Friend Pinto, Baaghi 2, Chhichhore, Bachchhan Paandey, and India Lockdown. His tribute post is a reminder that behind the filmography lies a personal history marked by both loss and extraordinary familial love.
Point of View
But the backstory is anything but routine. He is one of Hindi cinema's most poignant inheritance stories — born days before his mother Smita Patil died, raised by grandparents who were themselves public figures navigating grief. That Shivajirao Patil, a Padma Bhushan awardee and Maharashtra political figure, is remembered primarily through his grandson's Instagram post says something about how quickly institutional memory fades. The tribute also quietly underscores a recurring theme in Prateik's public persona: that his identity is inseparable from a family history shaped by absence and extraordinary love in equal measure.
NationPress
23 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Prateik Smita Patil post a tribute on 22 July 2026?
Prateik Smita Patil shared the tribute to mark the ninth death anniversary of his grandfather, Shivajirao Girdhar Patil, who passed away on 22 July 2017. He posted a childhood photograph and wrote 'Rest in power my hero' alongside it.
Who was Shivajirao Girdhar Patil?
Shivajirao Girdhar Patil was the father of legendary actress Smita Patil and a respected politician and social activist from Maharashtra. He was honoured with the Padma Bhushan for his public service and, along with his wife Vidyatai Patil, raised his grandson Prateik after Smita Patil's death in 1986.
How did Prateik Smita Patil lose his mother?
Prateik lost his mother, actress Smita Patil, when he was just a few days old. She passed away in December 1986 due to complications following childbirth, leaving his grandparents Shivajirao and Vidyatai Patil to raise him.
What films has Prateik Smita Patil appeared in?
Prateik made his debut in Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na and gained critical recognition for Dhobi Ghat. He has since appeared in Aarakshan, My Friend Pinto, Baaghi 2, Chhichhore, Bachchhan Paandey, and India Lockdown.
Who are Prateik Smita Patil's parents?
Prateik is the son of veteran actor Raj Babbar and the late National Award-winning actress Smita Patil. He grew up without his mother, who died days after his birth, and was raised by his maternal grandparents in Maharashtra.
