Pooja Bedi Reveals Mother Protima Bedi’s Final Moments: ‘She Died on Her Own Terms, Her Body Was Never Found’

Pooja Bedi Recalls Protima Bedi’s Final Wish: ‘She Became One With Nature.’

Protima Bedi, the model-turned-dancer who defied conventions, lived and died on her own terms, says her daughter Pooja Bedi. In a recent conversation with SCREEN, Pooja opened up about her mother’s extraordinary life, her spiritual outlook, and the way she embraced death.

Protima passed away in the mountains before she turned 50, and her body was never found. For Pooja, the loss remains painful, but she takes solace in knowing her mother left exactly as she wished.

“There are so many regrets about her leaving before 50. But she was a woman who lived life on her terms, and she literally died the way she wanted. She always said she wanted to die out in nature and be one with it,” Pooja shared.

Rejecting the idea of a traditional cremation, Protima had long said she wanted her end to be a “grand finale in nature.” Pooja recalled, “Her body was never found — it became one with the universe, one with the earth. She was this incredible energy.”

Protima also seemed to anticipate her departure. Before leaving for Kullu-Manali, she wrote out her will, handed Pooja her jewellery, property papers, and documents, and said, “You never know, darling.” She even wrote a 12-page letter summing up her life journey, ending with the words: “I’m in Kullu, the Valley of the Gods, and I’m so very, very happy.”

“That was the last we ever heard from her,” Pooja said. “What a journey, what a life, what a woman, what a mother.”