Kalki Koechlin recalls pet squirrel and childhood joys

As Children’s Day is celebrated across the country, Bollywood stars took a nostalgic journey back to the carefree days of childhood — the scraped knees, cherished pets, and small rituals that shaped who they are today. Actor Kalki Koechlin opened up about one of her “purest childhood moments,” sharing a treasured old photograph alongside the memory.

Kalki fondly recalls an unusual but endearing companion from her early years — a baby squirrel who became a beloved part of her childhood. Sharing a candid picture from those days, Kalki recounts the story behind it with warmth.

“That was my pet squirrel,” she says with a smile. “He used to sleep in my hair at night.” She goes on to add with a laugh, “When he was a baby, I fed him Cerelac with a pipette. And I myself used to suck my thumb for a long time! That’s probably where I get my big mouth from.”

Now a mother to 5-year-old daughter Sappho, Kalki reflects on how motherhood has brought new joy and fun to her life. “She’s her own person. I let her explore her imagination. She loves face painting — sometimes she paints her own face, and sometimes she paints mine,” Kalki shares with a fond smile.

For Kalki, Children’s Day is a sweet reminder of innocence, quirky little habits, and the strange but special friendships that linger with us well into adulthood.