Comparisons to the never-forgotten Patil, an actress who died giving birth to Babbar, have intensified after his performance in Dhobi Ghat.
"I think it's amazing to be compared with her. It just shows that even after all these years people don't want to forget her. They want to remember her through me. Fair enough. But somewhere down the line I need to come into my own. To be recognised for my own abilities and personality," said the actor.
"Of course, I've seen my mum's films. She's awesome. But I really don't see that much of resemblance between us," he added.
After playing a launderer in Dhobi Ghat, Babbar will now be seen as a denizen of the privileged class in Prakash Jha's Aarakshan.
Talking about his role, he said: "It's something close to my heart and something I haven't done before. Both are pre-requisites for me to accept a role. It has to appeal to me and challenge me. That's why I did Dhobi Ghat. I never thought I could carry off the lingo and body language of a dhobi [launderer]."
Different zone
Babbar loves to surprise himself both on and off the screen.
"In my next release Dum Maro Dum, I go into a completely different zone. Then there's Raghav Dar's My Friend Pinto. That's again something new to do for me," said the 24-year-old who, despite a small role in Jaane Tu...Ya Jaane Na, earned rave reviews for his performance.
Each of the roles requires a different discipline, accent and body language. This year he has decided to completely cut down on his partying. No more wild nights and beach parties?
"No more of all that. It's just my work. I've four films to complete and release this year. It's a decisive year for me. I'm completely done with socialising. It's just the studios and the gym for me. There's no room for anything else. I'm so relieved people have accepted me in Dhobi Ghat. If I can pull off a dhobi's role, I've the confidence to try any kind of role."
In My Friend Pinto viewers will get to see the actor's dancing skills for the first time. He had a ball attempting both the contemporary film style and traditional dancing. According to inside information from the crew of My Friend Pinto, Babbar's dancing is comparable with that of Hrithik Roshan and Shahid Kapoor.
The roles are personally picked by the actor. "Though I take my aunt [Manya Patil] and my business manager into confidence, I finally take the call on what roles to accept."
Meanwhile, the young actor is getting used to the public glare.
"I enjoy dancing. But not in public places. I'm very shy of attention. This year I hope to overcome all my inhibitions and actually enjoy blowing kisses to the mobs," he said.
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