New Delhi, July 23 (IANS) Prateik Babbar, who got noticed for his performance in 'Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na', truly mirrors his mother Smita Patil's image, says director Abbas Tyrewala.

In the film that launched Imran Khan, 21-year-old Prateik plays Genelia D'Souza's maverick brother.

'Prateik has one of the most beautiful faces we have in Bollywood today. He is so striking and his acting and looks reflect his mother's soul. He has the same beauty that Smita Patil had,' Tyrewala told IANS.

The director was in the capital for the 10th Osian's-Cinefan Film Festival of Asian and Arab Cinema that ended here Saturday.

Not many of the younger generation are aware that Prateik is the son of veteran actors Raj Babbar and Smita Patil. While Smita died a few days after giving birth to him, his father returned to his first wife Nadira Babbar thereafter.

Prateik stayed with his maternal grandparents and continues to do so.

When 'Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na' was being promoted, Aamir Khan's nephew Imran got the tiger's share of publicity vis-a-vis Prateik, who got his due credit after the film's release.

Explaining this, Tyrewala said: 'It was not fair to talk about him before the release. Prateik had certain affection for the script and so he agreed to do the film. Besides, this was not Prateik's launch.

'There is no reason to see 'Jaane Tu...' as his launch vehicle as he completely deserves a launch pad as big as Imran, Harman Baweja and Ranbir Kapoor have got.'