Bollywood actors often talk about their intense prep, demanding shoots, and packed schedules, but for Dhurandhar actor Naveen Kaushik, there’s one role that clearly tops them all: being a full-time cat dad. Known to fans as Donga from the film, Naveen’s softer, fluffier side comes alive the moment when you see his two cats, Adrak and Elaichi. Yes, you read that right. His pets are named after Indian kitchen staples.
While Naveen may play tough or quirky characters on screen, off camera he’s unapologetically obsessed with his feline companions. His Instagram profile is the proof of his love for Adrak and Elaichi, when the actor instantly switches into proud-parent mode, complete with and the kind of affection only pet parents truly understand.
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What’s refreshing is how openly Naveen embraces this side of himself. There’s something deeply therapeutic about coming home to two tiny creatures who don’t care about box-office numbers or screen time, only whether their food bowl is full.
On social media, glimpses of Adrak and Elaichi often steal the spotlight from Naveen himself. Fans love seeing this unfiltered, domestic side of the actor, whether it’s Adrak giving him the cold shoulder or Elaichi sleeping peacefully.
"Just an appreciation post for my beautiful boi Aadrak. Love and beauty came into my life in the shape of this furry little one," he wrote once. "Gentle afternoons and air biscuits with Elaichi," he wrote too.
At a time when conversations around mental health and emotional well-being are gaining importance, Naveen’s bond with his cats feels relevant and relatable to many cat parents. In reality, pets don’t fix everything, but they offer companionship, routine, and unconditional presence and honestly sometimes, that’s more than enough especially for someone who has a hectic routine.
So while audiences may know Naveen Kaushik as Donga from Dhurandhar, at home, he’s just Adrak and Elaichi’s human. And judging by the way he talks about them, it’s a role he wouldn’t trade for anything.