Pooja Bedi on Protima Bedi: A Free Spirit Who Chose Her Own Farewell

| Published: Thursday, August 21, 2025, 11:11 [IST]

Few lives have shimmered with as much defiance, passion, and unapologetic individuality as that of Protima Bedi–model, dancer, visionary, and free spirit. Her daughter, actress Pooja Bedi, often recalls her mother’s unconventional path with admiration, nostalgia, and a deep sense of loss. In a heartfelt conversation, Pooja opened up about her mother’s legacy, her last days, and the extraordinary way she embraced life–and death–on her own terms.

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A Woman Ahead of Her Time

Protima Bedi broke societal norms long before it was fashionable. Married to actor Kabir Bedi in 1969, she lived life with an openness that shocked conservative India. From walking the ramp in daring styles to creating Nrityagram, a one-of-its-kind dance village near Bangalore, Protima was an iconoclast who shifted between identities seamlessly–model, classical dancer, visionary, and mother.

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A Mother Unlike Any Other

Pooja recalls her mother as both fiercely loving and unapologetically unconventional. “She hugged us constantly, laughed loudly, and never stopped us from chasing our dreams,” Pooja said. Homework was banned at home–because time at home was for bonding, not books. Protima encouraged freedom, curiosity, and individuality in her children, teaching them to live life without fear or dependence.

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The Shadow of Loss

The death of Pooja’s brother, Siddhartha Bedi, by suicide in 1997, marked a deep tragedy for the family. Diagnosed with schizophrenia, Siddhartha’s passing left Protima shaken. Yet, rather than retreat into grief, she prepared herself for her next chapter–one that would be as unconventional as her life had always been.

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A Premonition of Departure

Before leaving for Kullu Manali, Protima handed over her will, jewellery, property papers, and personal belongings to Pooja. “Why are you being so dramatic?” Pooja had asked. Protima only replied, “You never know, darling.” She then wrote her daughter a 12-page letter, chronicling her life’s journey–from childhood to motherhood, dance to relationships–and ended it with gratitude: “I’m in Kullu, Valley of the Gods. I’m happy. I’m so very, very happy.”

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The Final Journey: One with Nature

In 1998, Protima embarked on a pilgrimage to Kailash Mansarovar. Her body was never recovered. For Pooja, this was not just a loss but also the ultimate proof that her mother had left life as she wished–returning to the lap of nature. “She always said she wanted to die in nature, not in a crematorium. That’s exactly how it happened,” Pooja reflected.

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Her Legacy Lives On

Beyond her untimely passing before the age of 50, Protima’s influence endures through her artistic vision and her children. Nrityagram continues to stand as a testament to her passion for dance. For Pooja, her mother’s teachings about independence, resilience, and self-reliance remain guiding principles.

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A Life Larger Than Life

Protima’s life was a celebration of choices–whether in fashion, dance, love, or motherhood. She laughed deeply, loved fully, and lived unapologetically. “She’s always around me,” Pooja says, recalling the dragonfly she associates with her mother’s spirit. Protima’s essence lives on, not just in memories, but in the freedom she embodied and the lives she touched.

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Conclusion

Protima Bedi’s story is one of passion, rebellion, and an unwavering belief in living authentically. For her daughter Pooja, the regret of her mother’s early departure is tempered by the knowledge that Protima lived and left exactly as she wished: free, fearless, and forever one with nature.

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