Parveen Babi was one of the most popular and influential actresses of Hindi cinema during the 1970s and 1980s. Known for her glamorous screen presence, modern style and strong performances, she appeared in more than 70 films during her career. She became one of the highest-paid actresses of her era and was the first Bollywood star to appear on the cover of Time magazine, in 1976.
She became widely recognized with films such as Majboor (1974), Deewaar (1975), Amar Akbar Anthony (1977), Suhaag (1979), Kaala Patthar (1979), The Burning Train (1980), Shaan (1980), Kranti (1981), Kaalia (1981) and Namak Halaal (1982).
Parveen Babi was born in Junagadh, Gujarat, and studied at St. Xavier's College, Ahmedabad. She began her career as a model in the early 1970s before entering Hindi cinema. Her acting debut came with Charitra (1973), after which she gradually established herself as one of Bollywood's leading actresses.
Her breakthrough came with Majboor (1974) and especially Deewaar (1975), in which she starred opposite Amitabh Bachchan. She subsequently became one of the biggest female stars of the era, appearing in several major commercial successes. Her collaborations with Amitabh Bachchan included Deewaar, Amar Akbar Anthony, Suhaag, Kaala Patthar, Do Aur Do Paanch, Kaalia and Namak Halaal.
Parveen Babi was also recognized for bringing a distinctly modern and urban image to Hindi cinema. Her fashion, modelling background and screen persona made her an important style icon of the 1970s and early 1980s.
She gradually withdrew from the film industry during the 1980s. Irada (1991) is generally regarded as her final film appearance. She died in Mumbai on 20 January 2005, aged 50.