Protima Bedi’s Controversial Life

Leading a Bohemian lifestyle, Protima wasn’t afraid of doing what she wanted, even if it went against every single rule of society. She loved to shock and was unapologetic about her actions. Streaking in public, having an open marriage, being an unconventional parent, giving it all up to discover her inner spirituality and finally leading an ascetic’s life, Protima’s life was filled with colour, controversy and scandal.
THE REBELLIOUS YOUNG GIRL
She Was A Different Child
Protima’s father had married outside his community and fearing criticism from society, he moved from place to place with his family. Travelling around the country, staying in a boarding school and getting acquainted with new people and cultures had a profound influence on Protima who decided early on that she would be independent.

She Incurs The Wrath Of Her Family
Protima hailed from a well-off family but she wanted to make a name of her own and she saw modelling as a means to do it. Her parents had no clue about her aspirations for glamour; they found out only when they saw her picture in a nightgown for Bombay Dyeing splashed on the front page of a newspaper.
Sources say Protima’s father was furious and even slapped her hard because he was against her career choice. The rebellious daughter ran away from home to pursue her dreams and used the money she earned from modelling to pay her rent.

MEETING KABIR BEDI
An Unusual Relationship
Entering the fashion world against her parent’s wishes was the least of her scandalous acts. During her modelling days, Protima apparently dated quite a few men. But all that changed when Nina Gupta introduced to her to one of the most handsome men in the industry, Kabir Bedi. It didn’t take long for her to fall in love with him. Kabir was not only good-looking but also extremely liberated – just like her. Within months of dating, she got pretty serious about Kabir and decided to move in with him.
Her involvement with Kabir angered her father even more and he forced her to return home. The police was also called in but within three days she left home again and neither her parents nor the police could do much as she was an adult. Unfortunately, her obstinacy had its repercussions. Ten days after she ran away, her father died in a car crash. Protima was quite shaken especially since she hadn’t meant to hurt her family deliberately.