Abhishek Sharrma on World Animal Day: 'Tara is my family'
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
On the occasion of World Animal Day on 5 October, actor Abhishek Sharrma — best known as the protagonist of the television show Vasudha — opened up about the profound lessons in love, responsibility, and companionship that his cat Tara has taught him. Speaking candidly, Sharrma described how what began as a stray visitor coming for food eventually became an irreplaceable member of his household.
The Night That Changed Everything
Sharrma recalled the turning point in his bond with Tara with remarkable clarity. 'Tara used to come to my house to have her food and then she used to go outside to play. She used to come for weeks and months,' he said.
'There was one night it was raining, and she came all drenched, and she was in a fight with other street cats, and she was bleeding; she was bruised. Then I took her to the vet, and I took care of her. From that day, I realised this is not just a cat who comes for food in my house. She is my family. She is my baby,' the actor added.
Lessons in Love and Language
Reflecting on what pet ownership has taught him about emotional expression, Sharrma said he has come to understand that affection does not require words. 'I've always had pets since I was very young. My cat has taught me a lot: that love knows no language, no boundaries, and it can be expressed. It does not need any words or grand gestures. Sometimes, it's just quietly sitting next to you, looking at you,' he shared.
He described Tara's characteristic slow blink as a particularly comforting gesture — a quiet signal that she is present and at ease. 'The slow blink that my cat does when she looks at me, that just makes me comfortable,' he said.
A Calming Presence for Anxiety and Overthinking
The actor also spoke about Tara's role as an emotional anchor during moments of stress. 'Whenever I'm overthinking or I'm, you know, maybe anxious or whatever it is, she just understands everything. And she is there for me,' he said.
Sharrma noted that Tara appears to sense his emotional state the moment he walks through the door. 'I enter the house and she knows whether I'm happy, I'm sad, I'm confused, I'm angry. She will just walk with me wherever I go, from the washroom to the kitchen to the bedroom to the living room, wherever she'll sit beside me,' he explained.
'Whenever I look at her, she would be blinking. She blinks slowly just to make her feel like I'm there. And then I feel good. Then my anxiety, my tension or whatever it is, emotionally low, it goes away. So yeah, it gives me a mental break,' he added.
Routine, Responsibility, and Attachment
Sharrma also described how Tara gradually restructured his daily schedule. 'I started planning my day around her. Like worrying that she has eaten or not. She has to use the litter. How is her mood? I was emotionally affected by her well-being. So that's when I understood that she is a family. There is a genuine sense of responsibility and attachment I feel towards her,' he said.
He reflected that before having a pet, he had been unaware of the depth of these feelings. 'Her presence has become a part of my routine. And so they eventually become a part of your routine, your home, eventually your heart,' he noted. As World Animal Day draws attention to the bond between humans and animals, Sharrma's account offers a quietly powerful reminder of what pets bring to mental and emotional well-being.