Known for her on-screen elegance and memorable performances in projects like ‘Heeramandi’, Aditi Rao Hydari enjoys a cozy life away from the cameras. At home, the actress has a deep bond with her two Persian cats, Iggy and Ollie, along with her husband Siddharth. This Mother’s Day, Aditi opened up about her amazing life as a cat mom, the emotional guilt of leaving her behind for a shoot, and why cats have taught her some of life’s most important lessons.
Meet Iggy and Ollie, the real bosses in Aditi Rao Hydari’s house
Aditi revealed that her furry companions came into her life through her cousin in Hyderabad, who informed her of a litter available for adoption. Since then, the cats have completely taken over the house. While talking about their dynamic at home on Mid-Day, the actor laughed and said, “Siddarth and I are the designated sweet dispensers.”Aditi, who recently collaborated with premium cat food brand Sheba for their ‘Ignored to Adored’ campaign, admitted that everything in her house revolves around cats.
Despite her busy shooting schedule and constant travel, Aditi admitted that being away from her pets is not easy at all. According to her, the moment she comes home, her cats make sure she feels guilty for leaving her.“When I got home, they looked at me and said, ‘How dare you? How could you do this to us?” They really give me an attitude. “So it’s really hard,” she shared. Interestingly, Aditi mentioned that her cats are extraordinarily expressive and affectionate.
“My cats actually act a bit like dogs, so it’s very mutual,” she added.
Why does Aditi Rao Hydari connect so deeply with cats?
The actor also spoke about the common misconception that cats are distant or emotionally unavailable. According to Aditi, cats simply express affection differently and require patience and understanding. “People think cats are aloof, but they’re not. You have to leave your ego out of the equation,” she explained.Aditi also shared that she makes a conscious effort not to bring home the chaos of the entertainment industry as pets are very sensitive to human emotions and energy.
“Pets are sensitive, they feel your energy,” the actor said.During the conversation, Aditi also recalled her childhood memories of having a pet cat named Sophie. She revealed that people often compare their facial features. “When I was little, we had a cat named Sophie. Everyone used to say we looked like sisters because we had similar eyes and face shapes,” she recalled fondly. “I sound so silly saying this, but a lot of people say I have a cat-like face,” Aditi added, laughing at the comparison.
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Siddharth thinks Aditi is like a golden retriever
Although Aditi adores cats, she believes that her personality is completely different from theirs. In fact, according to Siddharth, she looks more like a golden retriever than a cat. “I’m happy with the people around me,” she said, while also admitting that she could spend hours simply observing the cats. Speaking about what fascinates her most about cats, Aditi said: “They have a lot of self-esteem, and they are very respectful.
They are so beautiful, and they live life on their own terms.She concluded by saying that winning a cat’s affection makes the bond more important. “You have to earn their love. They don’t just come and interrupt you. I find that incredible about cats, and it’s something to learn from.”
Front of Aditi Rao Hydari’s work
Aditi Rao Hydari has received huge appreciation for her portrayal of Bibbojaan in the 2024 Netflix series ‘Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar’. The show was a huge hit, while her graceful ‘Gajagamini’ walk created a buzz on social media.