Bijou, our resident diva, is in an absolute tizz over her red carpet lewk this Diwali weekend. She has been invited to five major Bollywood parties for celeb pooches, and, of course, has nothing to wear. Bijou, with her own Instagram following—@bijouthebeauty—is quite the prima donna with a temperament to match. Plus, she’s picky about her fave designer wear. I am officially known as Bijou’s nani—not sure how my other seven human grandkids feel about this…but.
Pampered pooches and felines are having their moment this Diwali, going by the number of hampers arriving for Bijou. From cupcakes to beauty/grooming products, we are spoilt for choice. Bijou has received far many more Diwali invites and gifts than poor ole me!
Bijou is in great company, of course. Bollywood has a motto for their ladla kuttas and billis: “Our fur babies must look and feel fabulous!” We tried getting an appointment for Bijou at one of the best wellness/grooming salons for pets. “Sorry!” replied the receptionist, “We are overbooked…maybe I can place Bijou on the long waiting list.” Eternal gratitude, if that happens.
Paws getting papped
Bijou will be vying for attention with the most photographed pet in India—Malaika Arora’s Casper (who is not a friendly ghost, but an aloof Pomeranian). And quite possibly Shah Rukh Khan’s two Maltese dogs named Kai and Juicy. What if Shahid and Mira Kapoor’s new addition to the family, after Kaizer’s death, steals the show? Or Siddharth Malhotra dresses Oscar in a Sabyasachi sherwani that matches his own? There are Suniel Shetty’s Great Danes and Vir Das’ Dr Watson, plus Arjun Rampal’s Gangsta and Muscles—macho pets for supermacho owners. That’s too much testosterone for our delicate Bijou to cope with, while she trips along daintily in her rani pink, gota lehenga with a stringy, backless choli. I want Bijou to be the belle of the ball. Fingers crossed, she won’t poop on the red carpet…
Luxury spas for pets are offering Diwali specials—hair tinting, highlights, pawdicures, teeth cleaning, and lemon grass, eco-friendly shampoos. That’s nuthin’. It’s the luxe pet gifting where the real competition gets fierce and owners fight tooth and nail to bag limited-edition designer goodies. Gucci, LVMH, Ralph Lauren, and Swarovski, to name a few, are known to launch special collections for pets every season. Bollywood pets are frequently seen flaunting ‘airport looks’ in high-end leather carrier bags, and on other more formal occasions, wearing diamond chokers and gem-studded name tags when out on play dates with other celeb pets. Kaash! Only if pets could play taash with Bollywood’s high rollers; they would’ve made it to Ekta Kapoor’s Diwali bash.
Also read: What will Alia Bhatt wear for Diwali? Recycled saree or Manish Malhotra’s ‘chamki’ clothes
It’s important to understand one thing—there is a strict hierarchy and protocol when it comes to star pets. Just like star kids hang out exclusively with other star kids (and Orry), star pets party with other star pets on the same social scale. Bollywood girl gangs, protectively guarding their precious turf, don’t encourage ‘outsiders’ and definitely do not mate their pets with randoms. Nepo dogs rule!
There are approximately 31 million pet dogs in India, and close to 6,00,000 pets are adopted annually. The pet care market has crossed Rs 4,500 crore with treats and accessories pegged at Rs 1,000 crore. This is serious business. No wonder star pets are being shrewdly positioned in this growing market—paw power is here!
A talent agency to manage star dogs is being planned, with managers handling celeb endorsements. Rumour has it that Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma’s golden Labrador ‘Dude’ is likely to be signed as the highest-paid brand ambassador for Masaba’s soon-to-be-launched line, aptly titled ‘Fur’. Yes, it will include bridals for fashion-forward bitches.
The author is a columnist, social commentator, journalist and opinion-shaper. She has written 25 books. She tweets @DeShobhaa. Views are personal.
(Edited by Humra Laeeq)