Samyukta Hornad is a familiar face in Kannada cinema, known for her work in films like Lifeu Ishtene, Barfi, and Oggarane. But beyond the silver screen, she is the compassionate founder of the Praana Animal Foundation, a 24/7 free animal ambulance and rescue service in Bengaluru. Samyukta has built a life where the glamour of films and the dedication to animals coexist, each shaping the other.
Her foray into animal welfare started with a dog called Gunda, whom she took in from behind a drain outside her home when she was 11. “He was like a son to me,” she remembers. When she lost him, there was emptiness—but, she vowed to use her love and concern for animals in his name. That vow would ultimately become the basis of Praana, which now offers rescues, rehab, post-op care, and adoption facilities for hundreds of animals, predominantly cats.
In Picture- Gunda with Samyukta
Praana was started during the COVID-19 lockdown, when Samyukta herself fed and cared for 1,600 street dogs in Bengaluru. Starting with a small group of five volunteers on WhatsApp, it increased to more than 150 individuals in 2 days. Her efforts were noticed by the Karnataka Government’s Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, and she became an official task force member. She soon realized an essential gap: emergency ambulances were too distant from many distressed animals. In reply, she established India’s first 24/7 free animal ambulance, providing life-saving treatment to animals on time.
Her heart does not stop at domestic animals. She has over the years adopted and nurtured elephants, bears, monkeys, and even a wild hare, displaying an urgent concern for wildlife as well. She is also a working ambassador of Urban Wildlife, a organisation collaborating with groups such as People for Animals, Wildlife SOS, and CARE.