Bollywood model and dancer Protima Bedi, mother of actress Pooja Bedi, is remembered not just for her bold career choices but also for her unique approach to life and death. Married to actor Kabir Bedi, her personal and professional life always remained in the spotlight.
A Death on Her Own Terms
Protima Bedi passed away in 1998, but her departure was unlike any other. In a recent interview, Pooja Bedi revealed that her mother had always lived life her way, rejecting traditional norms. She believed death should be a serene return to nature, not bound by rituals or customs. Protima insisted that her body should not be cremated at a funeral pyre or immersed in the Ganga, but instead, be absorbed into the natural world.
The Final Letter and Disappearance
Before her death, Protima handed Pooja a 12-page letter and a will. The letter detailed her childhood, relationships, marriage, children, and her journey as a dancer. She also expressed gratitude towards the deities of Kullu, where she had spent her last days. After leaving that note behind, she never returned. Pooja confessed: “My mother lived life on her terms, and she embraced death the same way.”
Family Ties and Tragedies
Protima was Kabir Bedi’s first wife, and together they had two children—Pooja and Siddharth. Sadly, Siddharth later died by suicide, adding to the family’s grief. Despite the tragedies, Protima Bedi remains an enduring symbol of confidence and independence, remembered for her courage to break norms till her very last breath.
