Known for her elegance on screen and memorable performances in projects like ‘Heeramandi’, Aditi Rao Hydari has an equally heartwarming life away from the cameras. At home, the actor shares a deep bond with her two Persian cats, Iggy and Ollie, alongside husband Siddharth. This Mother’s Day, Aditi opened up about her adorable life as a cat mom, the emotional guilt of leaving them behind for shoots, and why cats have taught her some of life’s most valuable lessons.
Meet Iggy and Ollie, the real bosses at Aditi Rao Hydari’s home
Aditi revealed that her furry companions came into her life through her cousin in Hyderabad, who informed her about a litter available for adoption. Since then, the cats have completely taken over the household. Speaking about their dynamic at home to Mid-Day, the actor laughed and said, “Siddharth and I are the designated treat dispensers.”Aditi, who recently collaborated with the premium cat food brand Sheba for their campaign ‘Ignored to Adored’, admitted that everything in their home revolves around the cats. Despite her busy filming schedules and constant travel, Aditi confessed that being away from her pets is never easy. According to her, the moment she returns home, her cats make sure she feels guilty for leaving.“When I walk back into the house, they look at me like, ‘How dare you? How could you do this to us?’ They really give me attitude. So it’s really hard,” she shared. Interestingly, Aditi mentioned that her cats are unusually expressive and affectionate. “My cats actually behave a little like dogs, so they are very reciprocative,” she added.
Why does Aditi Rao Hydari connect 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. She explained, “People think cats are aloof, but they are not. You have to leave your ego out of the equation.”Aditi further shared that she makes a conscious effort not to bring the chaos of the entertainment industry back home because pets are highly 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 with a pet cat named Sufi. She revealed that people often compared their facial features. “When I was little, we had a cat named Sufi. Everybody would say that we looked like sisters because we had similar eyes and face shape,” she remembered fondly. Laughing at the comparison, Aditi added, “I sound so silly to say this, but a lot of people say that I have a cat-like face.“
Siddharth thinks Aditi is more like a Golden Retriever
Although Aditi adores cats, she believes her own personality is quite different from theirs. In fact, according to Siddharth, she resembles a golden retriever more than a cat. “I’m happy with people around me,” she said, while also admitting that she can spend hours simply observing cats. Talking about what fascinates her the most about felines, Aditi shared, “They have so much self-respect, and they’re so dignified. They are so beautiful, and they live life on their own terms.”She concluded by saying that earning a cat’s affection makes the bond even more meaningful. “You have to earn their love. They don’t just come and interrupt you. I find that incredible about cats, and it is something to be learned from.”
Aditi Rao Hydari’s work front
Aditi Rao Hydari received immense appreciation for portraying Bibbojaan in the 2024 Netflix series ‘Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar’. The show turned out to be a huge success, while her graceful “Gajagamini” walk became a viral sensation across social media.
