‘Billiyon ne dogs ka business kam kar diya hai’

Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; August 8, 2024)

Pop culture has most people thinking of cats as moody and unpredictable. But on International Cat Day today, actor Pratibha Ranta says their behaviour depends on their “upbringing”.

Ranta, who has two cats, Theo and Musha, says, “If you give them affection, they give it back. If I’m crying, they come and sit next to me — that’s their way of comforting you. Maine apne billon mein bhi yeh notice kiya hai. Billiyon ne dogs ka business kam kar diya hai, since they are actually low-maintenance.”

The actor, who received praise for her turn in the Laapataa Ladies, plans to get Theo and Musha “nicely groomed” today.

The 23-year-old, who hails from Shimla, reveals that growing up around animals has profoundly impacted her. “Nature meri life ka important part raha hai. The affection I would get from animals, helps you as a person. We still have a cow at our house,” the actor says, adding, “Mumbai mein value zyaada realise honi shuru ho gayi because here, it gets difficult for people to give time to or spend too much on their animal companions.”

Ranta also mentions that she initially felt unprepared to settle down in Mumbai, which led her to considering adopting a pet. “I originally was thinking about dogs,” she says, adding that then her sister discovered a stray kitten.

“It was love at first sight when I got a picture of Musha. I didn’t know if I’d be able to take care of it, but I asked my sister to get it home and thought we would figure something out. The affection that a kitten gives you is overwhelming,” she recalls, adding: “That encouraged me to bring home Theo!”