Anushka Sharma Wiki | Net Worth, Age, Movies, Virat Kohli & Family
Bollywood superstar, acclaimed producer, and global icon — her complete 2026 biography
Who Is Anushka Sharma?
Anushka Sharma (born May 1, 1988, in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh) is a leading Indian actress, producer, and entrepreneur who has established herself as one of the most successful and highest-paid actresses in Hindi cinema. Making her debut opposite Shah Rukh Khan in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008), she quickly transitioned from romantic comedies to complex, critically acclaimed roles in films like NH10, Sultan, PK, and Sanju. Beyond acting, her pioneering work as a producer with Clean Slate Filmz redefined the digital thriller space in India. You can explore her Wikipedia profile, view her IMDb profile, or follow her official Instagram for the latest updates.
In , Anushka Sharma is years old and remains one of India's most beloved and scrutinized public figures. As the wife of cricketing legend Virat Kohli and mother to their two children, Vamika and Akaay, she balances intense global fame with a fiercely guarded private life. This comprehensive biography traces her journey from an army background to the pinnacle of Bollywood.
| Personal Information | |
| Full Name | Anushka Sharma |
| Date of Birth | May 1, 1988 |
| Age | years old |
| Birthplace | Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, India |
| Hometown | Bengaluru, Karnataka, India |
| Zodiac Sign | Taurus |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Physical Attributes | |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) |
| Eye Color | Hazel |
| Hair Color | Dark Brown |
| Career & Financial | |
| Net Worth (2026) | $35 million (approx. ₹290 Crore) |
| Profession | Actress, Producer, Entrepreneur |
| Debut Film | Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008) |
| Production Company | Clean Slate Filmz (Co-founded 2013, stepped away 2022) |
| Clothing Brand | Nush |
| Family | |
| Spouse | Virat Kohli (married December 11, 2017) |
| Children | Vamika (b. January 2021) · Akaay (b. February 2024) |
| Parents | Col. Ajay Kumar Sharma (father) · Ashima Sharma (mother) |
| Sibling | Karnesh Ssharma (brother, film producer) |
| Social Profiles | |
| Wikipedia | View Wikipedia Profile |
| IMDB | View IMDB Profile |
| @anushkasharma | |
Early Life and Military Background
An Army Upbringing
Anushka Sharma was born in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, into a family with deep military roots. Her father, Colonel Ajay Kumar Sharma, served in the Indian Army, while her mother, Ashima Sharma, is a homemaker. Because of her father's military postings, Anushka's childhood was itinerant, moving across various cantonments in India before the family eventually settled in Bengaluru. She often credits her army upbringing for her disciplined, grounded approach to life and her ability to adapt to new environments seamlessly.
Growing up, she attended the Army School in Bengaluru and later graduated with a degree in arts from Mount Carmel College. During her school and college years, she was known to be academically inclined but always harbored a secret fascination with the glamour of modeling. Unlike many Bollywood stars who belong to established film dynasties, Anushka came from a solidly middle-class, non-film background, making her eventual ascent to the top of the industry entirely self-driven.
The Move to Mumbai and Modeling Days
After completing her education, she moved to Mumbai to pursue a full-time career in modeling. She initially had no strong aspirations to become an actress; her goal was to establish herself as a top runway and print model. She enrolled in the Elite Model Management agency and was mentored by the renowned fashion consultant Prasad Bidapa. Her striking features, height, and undeniable confidence quickly made her a favorite among Indian designers.
In 2007, she made her runway debut at the Lakme Fashion Week for designer Wendell Rodricks's Les Vamps Show. From there, she became a regular face in high-profile advertising campaigns for brands like Silk & Shine, Whisper, and Fiat Palio. It was during these intense modeling years that her screen presence caught the attention of casting directors, eventually leading her to the most prestigious film studio in India.
The Dream Bollywood Debut
Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi: A Star is Born
In 2008, Anushka Sharma's life changed forever when she auditioned for Yash Raj Films (YRF). She was selected by the legendary filmmaker Aditya Chopra to star opposite Shah Rukh Khan in the romantic drama Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi. Being launched by YRF opposite the "King of Bollywood" is considered the ultimate dream debut in the Indian film industry. She played Taani, a vivacious young woman forced into an arranged marriage with a mild-mannered man.
The film was a massive commercial success, becoming one of the highest-grossing Hindi films of the year. Critics praised her confidence and screen presence, noting that she held her own remarkably well against a veteran superstar like Shah Rukh Khan. This performance earned her Filmfare Award nominations for Best Actress and Best Female Debut, instantly cementing her status as the industry's most promising newcomer.
Building the Foundation: Band Baaja Baaraat
Following her debut, she fulfilled her three-film contract with YRF. While Badmaash Company (2010) saw moderate success, it was her third film, Band Baaja Baaraat (2010), that proved her debut was not a fluke. Co-starring alongside debutant Ranveer Singh, Anushka played Shruti Kakkar, a fierce and ambitious wedding planner from Delhi. The film was a sleeper hit and became a cultural phenomenon.
Her portrayal of the pragmatic, no-nonsense Delhi girl won universal acclaim and definitively proved she could carry a film on her own shoulders without a massive male superstar to prop it up. She won the Best Actress award at the IIFA Awards, and Band Baaja Baaraat remains one of the defining romantic comedies of the modern Bollywood era.
Blockbusters and Critical Acclaim
The 300-Crore Club: PK and Sultan
Anushka Sharma's career trajectory is unique in that she balanced massive commercial blockbusters with critically acclaimed author-backed roles. In 2014, she starred opposite Aamir Khan in Rajkumar Hirani's satirical comedy-drama PK. Playing the role of Jagat Janani, a fearless television journalist, she was integral to a film that went on to become one of the highest-grossing Indian films of all time, grossing over ₹800 crore globally.
She followed this with another historic blockbuster in 2016, starring opposite Salman Khan in the sports drama Sultan. Playing Aarfa, a state-level wrestler with Olympic ambitions, required immense physical preparation and dialect training. Sultan was a colossal box office success, cementing Anushka's status as one of the few actresses to deliver back-to-back mega-hits with the biggest Khans of Bollywood.
Versatility: NH10, Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, and Sanju
While delivering massive hits, she never lost sight of performance-driven cinema. In 2015, she starred in the gritty road thriller NH10, playing a woman fighting for survival against a ruthless gang in rural Haryana. The intense, blood-soaked performance won her widespread critical acclaim. She also showcased her romantic depth in Karan Johar's Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (2016) as Alizeh, a woman navigating complex emotional relationships.
In 2018, she reunited with Rajkumar Hirani for Sanju, the biographical film of Sanjay Dutt, playing a fiercely independent biographer. Through these varied roles, she proved she was not just a commercial star, but an actor of substantial range who could transition seamlessly from romantic leads to intense action and dramatic depth.
The Producer Era: Clean Slate Filmz
Redefining Indian Cinema
At the age of 25, when most actresses are solely focused on acting, Anushka co-founded the production company Clean Slate Filmz with her brother Karnesh Ssharma. The objective was clear: to produce content-driven cinema that pushes the boundaries of traditional Bollywood narratives. Her first production venture was NH10 (2015), which she also starred in. The film was a critical and commercial success, establishing Clean Slate Filmz as a force to be reckoned with.
Under her leadership, the banner produced a series of highly unconventional, female-centric, and genre-defying projects. The supernatural thriller Pari (2018) saw her play a demonic entity, subverting every expectation of a traditional Bollywood heroine. But it was in the digital space that her production house truly revolutionized Indian content.
Paatal Lok, Bulbbul, and Stepping Down
During the 2020 pandemic lockdown, Clean Slate Filmz released two projects that changed the landscape of Indian streaming. The Amazon Prime crime thriller series Paatal Lok was hailed as a masterpiece, while the Netflix feminist supernatural film Bulbbul received immense critical acclaim for its visual storytelling and thematic depth. Both projects were praised for their bold narratives and flawless execution.
In 2022, Anushka made the decision to step away from the production company, handing over full control to her brother Karnesh. She cited her desire to focus entirely on her acting career and her responsibilities as a new mother. However, her legacy as a trailblazing producer who backed fresh talent and risky scripts remains one of the most defining aspects of her career.
Personal Life: The Fairy Tale Romance with Virat Kohli
Meeting on a Shampoo Commercial
The relationship between Anushka Sharma and Indian cricket superstar Virat Kohli is one of the most chronicled and beloved romances in modern Indian pop culture. They first met in 2013 on the set of a television commercial for a shampoo brand. Kohli later admitted that he was incredibly nervous meeting her for the first time, cracking a joke about her high heels to break the ice. What began as a professional acquaintance quickly blossomed into a deep, highly publicized romance.
Their relationship weathered the intense scrutiny of the Indian media. They were the ultimate power couple—the top actress and the top cricketer in a country obsessed with both cinema and cricket. Despite the constant media attention and the unwarranted blame Anushka sometimes faced from toxic fans for Kohli's on-field performances, the couple remained steadfast in their support for one another, setting a standard for modern, supportive partnerships.
The Secret Wedding in Italy
On December 11, 2017, after months of intense speculation, Anushka and Virat were married in a highly secretive, deeply intimate ceremony in Tuscany, Italy. The wedding was attended only by close family and friends, far away from the paparazzi glare of Mumbai. The images released by the couple on social media broke the internet, establishing the pastel-themed, intimate destination wedding aesthetic that would soon become the gold standard for Indian celebrity marriages.
Since their marriage, "Virushka" (as they are affectionately dubbed by fans) have continued to balance their demanding global careers with a deeply grounded domestic life, frequently expressing their mutual respect and spiritual connection in rare, candid interviews.
Motherhood: Protecting Vamika and Akaay
The Birth of Vamika and Akaay
In January 2021, Anushka and Virat welcomed their first child, a daughter named Vamika. Three years later, in February 2024, they announced the birth of their son, Akaay. Motherhood brought a profound shift in Anushka's priorities. She took a deliberate hiatus from signing new acting projects, choosing to focus her energy entirely on raising her children during their crucial formative years.
The couple has been fiercely protective of their children's privacy, setting a strict "no photos" policy with the Indian media. They have consistently requested paparazzi not to click or publish pictures of their children's faces, a boundary that has largely been respected by mainstream outlets. This protective stance is a testament to their desire to provide their children with a normal upbringing, shielded from the extraordinary fame of their parents.
Balancing Global Fame and Domestic Life
As of 2026, Anushka spends a significant amount of her time in London, a city that offers the family the anonymity and peace they crave away from the intense spotlight in India. While Virat continues his cricketing commitments, the couple manages to create a serene, grounded environment for their family. Her approach to motherhood—prioritizing personal fulfillment over constant professional visibility—has resonated deeply with many of her fans, challenging the industry norm that actresses must constantly hustle to remain relevant.
Chakda 'Xpress and The Return to the Screen
Embodying Jhulan Goswami
After an extended break following the birth of her daughter, Anushka announced her return to acting with Chakda 'Xpress, a biographical sports drama based on the life of legendary Indian fast bowler Jhulan Goswami. The role required immense physical transformation and rigorous cricket training. Playing one of the fastest female bowlers in the world was a daunting task, but Anushka committed to grueling sessions on the pitch to perfect her bowling action and body language.
The film marks a significant milestone in her career, being her first film after stepping down as a producer and her first major acting project in years. It reinforces her commitment to portraying strong, trailblazing women on screen, aligning perfectly with the ethos she championed during her producing days. The anticipation surrounding her comeback highlights the enduring loyalty of her fanbase and her sustained relevance in the industry.
Philanthropy, Brands, and Business Ventures
Animal Welfare and Advocacy
Beyond cinema, Anushka is an outspoken advocate for animal rights and environmental causes. She has frequently collaborated with PETA India and has championed campaigns to ban horse-drawn carriages in Mumbai and to protect stray animals from cruelty during festivals. In 2017, she launched her own clothing line, Nush, which focuses on accessible, comfortable fashion while ensuring ethical manufacturing practices. Furthermore, she and Virat Kohli launched a joint non-profit initiative aimed at providing relief and healthcare, which was particularly active during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Ultimate Brand Ambassador
As of 2026, Anushka remains one of the most sought-after celebrity endorsers in India. Her brand portfolio includes multinational giants in the beauty, fashion, banking, and fast-moving consumer goods sectors. Her appeal lies in her pristine public image—she is perceived as authentic, credible, and relatable. Together with Virat, she commands some of the highest endorsement fees in the country, leveraging their combined massive social media reach (with hundreds of millions of followers across platforms) to influence consumer trends.
Anushka Sharma Net Worth 2026
Anushka Sharma's estimated net worth of $35 million (approximately ₹290 Crore) in 2026 is a result of her two-decade-long dominance in the entertainment industry. Her wealth is diversified across high-paying film roles, lucrative brand endorsements, substantial returns from her tenure as a producer with Clean Slate Filmz, and personal investments in real estate and startups. Her real estate portfolio includes luxury properties in Mumbai's Worli area, a farmhouse in Alibaug, and an international residence in London.
Legacy and Public Persona
What sets Anushka Sharma apart in the crowded landscape of Bollywood is her fierce independence and refusal to conform to industry stereotypes. From her debut, she eschewed the traditional "damsel in distress" roles, opting instead for characters with agency, intelligence, and a voice. Her decision to turn producer at a young age signaled a desire to control her narrative and create the kind of cinema she wanted to see, rather than waiting for it to be offered to her.
In her personal life, she navigates fame with a zen-like detachment. Despite being half of India's biggest power couple, she maintains an aura of accessibility and spiritual groundedness. Her social media often reflects a life of simple joys—sunlight, coffee, spiritual retreats, and family—rather than the curated hyper-glamour typical of her peers. This authenticity is the cornerstone of her enduring legacy: a self-made superstar who conquered the industry entirely on her own terms.
Final Thoughts on Anushka Sharma
The journey of Anushka Sharma is a masterclass in rewriting the rules of Indian cinema. She arrived as an outsider with no industry backing, delivered a blockbuster debut, and then systematically dismantled every expectation placed upon a leading lady. By launching her own production house, she didn't just find better roles for herself; she created a space for darker, more challenging narratives to thrive on major streaming platforms. Her ability to command the screen alongside the biggest superstars while simultaneously building a critically acclaimed indie production empire is unmatched in her generation.
In , she stands at a fascinating intersection of her life. At years old, having stepped back from producing to embrace motherhood, she has proven that true power lies in the ability to walk away when it feels right, and return only for projects that truly matter. Whether she is cheering from the stands, advocating for animal rights, or preparing for her next cinematic venture, she remains resolutely authentic.
An outsider who became the ultimate insider, she conquered the box office, revolutionized digital content, and found peace away from the cameras — proving that the greatest script she ever wrote was her own life.
Last Updated: May 25, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions About Anushka Sharma
How old is Anushka Sharma in 2026?
Anushka Sharma was born on May 1, 1988. In 2026, she is years old.
What is Anushka Sharma's net worth?
As of 2026, Anushka Sharma's estimated net worth is $35 million (approximately ₹290 Crore), accrued through film acting, brand endorsements, her clothing line Nush, and her former production ventures.
Who are Anushka Sharma's children?
Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli have two children: a daughter named Vamika (born January 2021) and a son named Akaay (born February 2024).
Does Anushka Sharma still own Clean Slate Filmz?
No, Anushka stepped down from Clean Slate Filmz in early 2022 to focus on her acting career and motherhood. She handed over full control of the production company to her brother, Karnesh Ssharma.
When did Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli get married?
The couple tied the knot on December 11, 2017, in a private, highly guarded ceremony in Tuscany, Italy.
What was Anushka Sharma's debut movie?
Her debut movie was the blockbuster romantic comedy Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008), directed by Aditya Chopra, where she starred opposite Shah Rukh Khan.
What is Anushka Sharma's height?
Anushka Sharma stands 5 feet 9 inches (1.75 metres) tall.