Anushka Sharma is one of the most successful outsiders Bollywood has ever seen – an army officer’s daughter from Bangalore with no film family behind her, who became one of Hindi cinema’s highest-paid actresses, a Filmfare-winning star, and the co-founder of one of India’s boldest production houses. From her debut opposite Shah Rukh Khan in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi to blockbusters like PK and Sultan, and her celebrated marriage to cricket superstar Virat Kohli, her story is one of talent, discipline, and fearless choices.
Here is the complete biography: her age, family, career, net worth, and what is happening with her long-awaited comeback film in 2026.
Anushka Sharma Quick Facts
| Full Name | Anushka Sharma |
| Known As | Anu, Nushie |
| Born | 1 May 1988, Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh |
| Age | 38 years (in 2026) |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation | Actress, Film Producer, Entrepreneur |
| Years Active | 2007 – Present (films since 2008) |
| Father | Colonel Ajay Kumar Sharma (retired Indian Army officer) |
| Mother | Ashima Sharma |
| Brother | Karnesh Sharma (film producer) |
| Husband | Virat Kohli (married 11 December 2017) |
| Children | Vamika Kohli (daughter), Akaay Kohli (son) |
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (175 cm approx.) |
| Education | Army School, Bangalore; BA Economics, Mount Carmel College, Bangalore |
| Debut Film | Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008) |
| Production Company | Clean Slate Filmz (co-founded with Karnesh Sharma) |
| Estimated Net Worth | Unverified media estimates only (see below) |
Early Life and Education
Anushka Sharma was born on 1 May 1988 in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, and raised largely in Bangalore (Bengaluru), Karnataka, where her father’s Indian Army postings took the family. Her father, Colonel Ajay Kumar Sharma, is a retired army officer, and her mother, Ashima Sharma, is a homemaker. She has one elder brother, Karnesh Sharma, who later became her producing partner.
Growing up as an army kid shaped her famously disciplined, no-nonsense personality. She studied at Army School, Bangalore, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Mount Carmel College, Bangalore. She originally dreamed of a career in modelling or journalism – acting was never the plan.
From Modelling to Bollywood
After graduation, Anushka moved to Mumbai to pursue modelling. She was groomed by style consultant Prasad Bidapa and got her big break as a model for designer Wendell Rodricks at Lakme Fashion Week in 2007, walking as his finale model. While modelling, she joined an acting school and began auditioning. A successful audition at Yash Raj Films changed everything: she was cast opposite Shah Rukh Khan in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008) – one of the biggest debuts any newcomer could ask for.
Career: The Rise of a Star
Debut and Breakthrough (2008-2012)
Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008), directed by Aditya Chopra, was a box-office hit and earned Anushka Filmfare nominations for Best Actress and Best Female Debut. After Badmaash Company (2010) and Patiala House (2011), her breakthrough came with Band Baaja Baaraat (2010), opposite debutant Ranveer Singh. Her energetic turn as wedding planner Shruti Kakkar made her a star.
She followed it with Ladies vs Ricky Bahl (2011) and Yash Chopra’s swan song Jab Tak Hai Jaan (2012), opposite Shah Rukh Khan and Katrina Kaif. Her performance as documentary filmmaker Akira won her the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – her only Filmfare win to date, from several nominations.
The Peak Years (2013-2018)
Anushka’s career peaked with a remarkable run of hits and acclaimed performances:
- PK (2014) – Rajkumar Hirani’s religious satire, in which she played television journalist Jaggu opposite Aamir Khan. It became one of the highest-grossing Indian films of all time.
- NH10 (2015) – a gritty crime thriller that also marked her debut as a producer. Her raw, fearless performance won wide critical praise.
- Dil Dhadakne Do (2015) – Zoya Akhtar’s ensemble family drama, in which she held her own alongside a star cast.
- Sultan (2016) – the sports drama opposite Salman Khan, in which she played wrestler Aarfa. Another all-time box-office grosser.
- Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (2016) – Karan Johar’s romantic drama opposite Ranbir Kapoor and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, praised for her emotional performance.
- Sanju (2018) – Hirani’s biopic of Sanjay Dutt, another massive hit.
- Sui Dhaaga (2018) – opposite Varun Dhawan, a critically praised ode to India’s artisans.
- Zero (2018) – opposite Shah Rukh Khan and Katrina Kaif, her last theatrical release to date. She played Aafia, a scientist with cerebral palsy, a role that drew praise even as the film underperformed.
Producer and Entrepreneur: Clean Slate Filmz
In 2013, at just 25, Anushka co-founded Clean Slate Filmz with her brother Karnesh. The company built a reputation for bold, content-first projects: NH10 (2015), Phillauri (2017), and Pari (2018) as films, and the acclaimed streaming successes Paatal Lok (Amazon Prime Video, 2020) and Bulbbul (Netflix, 2020) as series and films.
Anushka stepped away from the company in 2022 to focus on acting and family. She also launched her own clothing label, Nush, and has been one of Bollywood’s most in-demand brand ambassadors.
Beyond business, she is known for her advocacy: she supports animal rights and gender equality, and has spoken openly about living with anxiety and seeking therapy and medication – candour that won her wide respect for challenging mental-health stigma in India.
Family: Marriage to Virat Kohli
Anushka married Indian cricket superstar Virat Kohli on 11 December 2017 in a private ceremony in Tuscany, Italy, after dating for around four years. The couple – affectionately called “Virushka” by fans – are one of India’s most famous couples.
They have two children: daughter Vamika, born in January 2021, and son Akaay, born in February 2024. The couple famously request the media not to photograph their children, and keep both kids firmly out of the public eye. The family now spends much of its time in London, away from the Mumbai spotlight.
Anushka Sharma Net Worth (2026)
Anushka Sharma’s net worth has never been officially disclosed, and published figures vary widely – most media estimates cluster around Rs 255 crore (roughly $30-36 million), with some outlets going higher. These are unverified media estimates, not audited or declared figures, so treat every number you see online with caution.
What is certain: her wealth comes from film fees (she was long among Bollywood’s highest-paid actresses, reportedly commanding Rs 12-16 crore per film at her peak), profit shares as a producer, her Clean Slate Filmz work, her clothing label, and a long list of lucrative brand endorsements.
What’s Next: Chakda Xpress and Life in 2026
Anushka’s planned comeback film is Chakda Xpress, a biopic of former Indian women’s cricket captain Jhulan Goswami, directed by Prosit Roy and produced by Clean Slate Filmz. She shot the film through 2022, but it has still not released: Clean Slate Filmz and Netflix ended their partnership, and reports say the film would need to be bought back before it can premiere anywhere. In February 2026, director Prosit Roy publicly expressed his heartbreak that the film never got its chance, writing that the handful of people who saw it in post-production kept telling him how much it stayed with them.
As of October 2026, she has not signed a new film, and reports have dismissed rumours of a comeback opposite Allu Arjun. Her most recent public appearance made headlines on 25 October 2026, when she and Virat attended Krishna Das’s live kirtan in Mumbai, swaying to devotional chants in the front row as videos of the couple went viral. For now, fans waiting for her return to the screen will have to keep waiting – but if her career has proved anything, it is that Anushka Sharma only comes back on her own terms.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Anushka Sharma’s age in 2026?
She was born on 1 May 1988 – 38 years old in 2026.
Who is Anushka Sharma’s husband?
Indian cricketer Virat Kohli – married on 11 December 2017 in Tuscany, Italy.
How many children does Anushka Sharma have?
Two: daughter Vamika (born January 2021) and son Akaay (born February 2024).
Who are Anushka Sharma’s parents?
Her father is retired army officer Colonel Ajay Kumar Sharma, and her mother is Ashima Sharma. Her elder brother is producer Karnesh Sharma.
What was Anushka Sharma’s first film?
Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008), opposite Shah Rukh Khan.
What is Anushka Sharma’s net worth?
No official figure exists. Unverified media estimates cluster around Rs 255 crore (about $30-36 million).
What is Anushka Sharma’s next movie?
Chakda Xpress, the Jhulan Goswami biopic – filmed and complete, but still without a release date as of October 2026.
Why has Anushka Sharma not been seen in films since 2018?
Her last theatrical release was Zero (2018). She stepped back to focus on family and producing, and her comeback film Chakda Xpress remains unreleased.
Final Thoughts
From an army kid in Bangalore to one of Bollywood’s biggest stars and bravest producers, Anushka Sharma built her career the hard way – no godfather, no film family, just instinct and hard work. Whether Chakda Xpress finally reaches audiences or she chooses an entirely new chapter, her place in Hindi cinema is already secure.
Also read: Shah Rukh Khan: Age, Biography, Family, Career, Net Worth & More (2026) and Katrina Kaif: Age, Biography, Family, Career, Net Worth & More (2026)
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