India, Aug. 26 -- For Vedika Pinto, Benji is not a pet but her entire world. On International Dog Day, the actor tells HT City how her four-year-old dog entered her life at an anxious time, just a week before the release of her debut film Operation Romeo in 2022. "My brother saw how anxious I was because of the release. He convinced our mother, who had been 'strictly anti-dogs' throughout our childhood, that I needed a stress buster. Well, the plan worked, and Benji came home." Her mother, who was initially against having a dog, is now one of his biggest fans. "Today, there is nobody who is more obsessed with Benji than my mom. She is obsessed."

Benji has since become an integral part of the family, with even his own favourite restaurant...