Anushka Sharma is one of the most celebrated, commercially successful, and critically respected actresses in Bollywood’s modern era.
Born in Ayodhya and raised in Bengaluru in a disciplined army family, she moved to Mumbai to pursue modelling and, within just two years, made her acting debut opposite Shah Rukh Khan, one of the greatest moments of entry any Bollywood actress could dream of.
What followed was a career defined by remarkable versatility, a series of blockbuster films, the co-founding of a thriving production company, and a high-profile marriage to Indian cricket legend Virat Kohli that made “Virushka” one of the most beloved celebrity couples in India.
Her personal net worth alone is estimated at approximately ₹255 crore, placing her firmly among India’s wealthiest entertainers.
Profile
| Full Name | Anushka Sharma |
| Born | May 1, 1988 |
| Age | 38 years |
| Birthplace | Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation | Actress, Film Producer, Entrepreneur |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Father | Colonel Ajay Kumar Sharma (retired Army officer) |
| Mother | Ashima Sharma (homemaker) |
| Siblings | Karnesh Sharma (elder brother, film producer) |
| Spouse | Virat Kohli (married December 11, 2017) |
| Children | Vamika Kohli (born January 11, 2021); Akaay Kohli (born February 15, 2024) |
| Net Worth | ₹255 crore (~$30–31 million) |
Early Life
Anushka Sharma was born on May 1, 1988, in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, into an army family that would shape her disciplined work ethic. Her father, Colonel Ajay Kumar Sharma, served as an officer in the Indian Army, and her mother, Ashima Sharma, is a homemaker. She has an elder brother, Karnesh Sharma, who served in the Merchant Navy before later transitioning into film production and co-founding Clean Slate Filmz alongside Anushka.
Growing up in an army family meant that Anushka spent her early years moving between cities, but the family eventually settled in Bengaluru, where she completed most of her schooling. She attended the Army School in Bengaluru, where she received a structured and disciplined education that she has credited as one of the formative influences on her approach to work. Bengaluru would remain central to her identity, even after she rose to national fame. She has described her childhood as happy, simple, and grounded, values that have remained visible in her approach to her career and public life.
Education
Anushka Sharma completed her early schooling at the Army School in Bengaluru. She went on to pursue further studies at Mount Carmel College in Bengaluru, where she began a degree in Arts. She subsequently pursued a correspondence course for a Master’s degree in Economics, a qualification that reflects the intellectual curiosity and discipline that have distinguished her both as a professional and as an entrepreneur. After completing her studies, she moved to Mumbai to pursue a career in modelling, marking the beginning of her journey to national stardom. Her educational background in the arts and economics has been evident in the thoughtful approach she brings to her production work at Clean Slate Filmz.
Career
Before acting, Anushka Sharma was active in the modelling industry from 2004 to 2007. She walked the runway for several designers and appeared in commercials, developing the poise and visual confidence that would serve her well on screen. She was signed by Aditya Chopra of Yash Raj Films after he spotted her modelling, and he cast her opposite Shah Rukh Khan in her very first film.
Anushka made her acting debut in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008), directed by Aditya Chopra, in which she starred alongside Shah Rukh Khan. The film was a massive commercial success and earned her a Filmfare Award nomination for Best Actress, a remarkable achievement for a debut. What struck audiences immediately was Anushka’s ability to hold her own against one of Bollywood’s biggest stars, displaying a natural freshness and depth of emotion that was rare in a debut performance.
She followed this with leading roles in Band Baaja Baaraat (2010), Patiala House (2011), and Jab Tak Hai Jaan (2012), the last of which won her the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress. Her range expanded further with PK (2014), one of the highest-grossing Indian films of all time, where she starred alongside Aamir Khan in a satirical, socially provocative blockbuster that broke box office records globally. She followed this with Dil Dhadakne Do (2015), Sultan (2016), Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (2016), and Sanju (2018), all of which were massive commercial hits.
Alongside her acting career, Anushka has emerged as one of Bollywood’s most successful film producers. In 2015, she co-founded Clean Slate Filmz with her brother Karnesh Sharma. Under the Clean Slate banner, she produced and starred in NH10 (2015), a gritty, unflinching thriller that received critical acclaim and demonstrated her willingness to champion bold, unconventional storytelling. Other Clean Slate productions include Phillauri (2017), Pari (2018), and the acclaimed web series Pataal Lok (2020) on Amazon Prime, which received widespread critical praise. More recently, Clean Slate produced the Netflix series Mai (2022).
Anushka’s last major acting role was in Zero (2018), also alongside Shah Rukh Khan. Since then, she has focused on her production work and her family. Her name has been connected to a long-awaited film comeback, with Chakda Xpress — the biographical sports drama in which she plays Indian women’s cricket legend Jhulan Goswami, awaited by fans.
Awards & Nominations
- Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Jab Tak Hai Jaan (2012) – Won
- Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008) – Nominated
- Screen Award for Best Supporting Actress – Jab Tak Hai Jaan (2013) – Nominated
- Filmfare Award for Best Actress – PK (2014) – Nominated
- Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Sultan (2016) – Nominated
- Star Screen Award for Best Actress – Sultan (2016) – Nominated
- Producers Guild Film Award – NH10 (2015) – Nominated
- Regularly featured in Forbes India Celebrity 100 list throughout the 2010s
Social Media
Anushka Sharma maintains a significant social media presence, with millions of followers across platforms. Her Instagram account (@anushkasharma) is one of the most followed Bollywood actress accounts in India, where she shares personal moments, professional updates, and family glimpses. She is active on Twitter/X as well. Her social media presence is warm and candid, occasionally making waves with personal posts about her children and marriage. She has consistently asked media and fans to respect her family’s privacy, particularly regarding her children.
Personal Life
Anushka Sharma’s marriage to Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli is one of the most high-profile celebrity relationships in Indian entertainment and sports history. The couple were widely known by the portmanteau “Virushka”, a name that trended on social media for years before their wedding. After dating for several years, the couple married on December 11, 2017, in a private ceremony in Tuscany, Italy, surrounded by close family and friends. The understated elegance of their wedding, far from the traditional Bollywood extravagance, was widely appreciated.
The couple welcomed their first child, a daughter named Vamika Kohli, on January 11, 2021. Both Anushka and Virat have been vocal about protecting Vamika’s privacy and have consistently requested that media refrain from photographing her. Their second child, a son named Akaay Kohli, was born on February 15, 2024 in London. Together, Virat and Anushka have a combined net worth exceeding ₹1,300 crore, making them one of India’s wealthiest celebrity couples. Anushka is also a co-owner of the IPL franchise Rajasthan Royals through her association with Virat Kohli’s investment interests.
Net Worth
Anushka Sharma’s individual net worth is estimated at approximately ₹255 crore (approximately $30–31 million USD). Her income is derived from Bollywood acting fees, her production company Clean Slate Filmz, brand endorsements and advertising campaigns with major multinational companies, and business investments. She reportedly earns between ₹30–45 crore annually from acting, endorsements, and business ventures. Her combined net worth with husband Virat Kohli exceeds ₹1,300 crore, making the “Virushka” household one of India’s wealthiest.
Filmography
- Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008)
- Band Baaja Baaraat (2010)
- Patiala House (2011)
- Jab Tak Hai Jaan (2012)
- PK (2014)
- NH10 (2015) – also Producer
- Dil Dhadakne Do (2015)
- Sultan (2016)
- Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (2016)
- Phillauri (2017) – also Producer
- Pari (2018) – also Producer
- Sanju (2018)
- Zero (2018)
- Pataal Lok (2020, Amazon Prime) – Producer
- Mai (2022, Netflix) – Producer
- Chakda Xpress – Upcoming (as Jhulan Goswami)
FAQs
Who is Anushka Sharma?
Anushka Sharma is a leading Indian actress, film producer, and entrepreneur. She is one of Bollywood’s highest-paid and most celebrated actresses, and is married to Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli.
How old is Anushka Sharma?
She was born on May 1, 1988, making her 38 years old as of 2026.
Who is Anushka Sharma’s husband?
She is married to Virat Kohli, one of India’s greatest cricketers. They married in December 2017 in Italy.
How many children does Anushka Sharma have?
She has two children, daughter Vamika (born January 2021) and son Akaay (born February 2024).
What is Anushka Sharma’s net worth?
Her individual net worth is estimated at approximately ₹255 crore (~$30–31 million).
Conclusion
Anushka Sharma’s journey from an army colonel’s daughter in Bengaluru to one of Bollywood’s most bankable and respected stars is an inspiring story of talent meeting discipline and determination. Her willingness to push creative boundaries, from producing gritty thrillers to starring in culturally provocative comedies, has defined a career that resists easy categorisation. As a producer, she has expanded the frontiers of Indian cinema; as a mother and partner, she has demonstrated that it is possible to be fully present in personal life while maintaining a formidable professional legacy. Anushka Sharma is, in every meaningful sense, one of Bollywood’s modern icons.