Anushka Sharma was born on May 1, 1988, in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, India, according to several biographical sources, although some film databases list Bengaluru as her birthplace. She is an Indian actress, film producer, entrepreneur, and former model who works primarily in Bollywood, the Hindi-language film industry. She made her acting debut opposite Shah Rukh Khan in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008), directed by Aditya Chopra. Her later films include Band Baaja Baaraat (2010), Jab Tak Hai Jaan (2012), PK (2014), NH10 (2015), Sultan (2016), and Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (2016). In 2013, she received the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress for Jab Tak Hai Jaan. She also co-founded the production company Clean Slate Filmz with her brother Karnesh Sharma, producing films and television series before stepping away from the company in 2022. She is married to Indian cricketer Virat Kohli.

Early Life and Family

Anushka Sharma was born on May 1, 1988, in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, India, although some biographical listings give Bengaluru as her birthplace. She grew up primarily in Bengaluru, formerly known as Bangalore, in the state of Karnataka.

Her father, Ajay Kumar Sharma, served as a colonel in the Indian Army. Her mother, Ashima Sharma, is a homemaker. Her father comes from Uttar Pradesh, while her mother has family roots in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand.

She has an older brother, Karnesh Sharma, who served in the Merchant Navy before entering the film production business.

Because of her father's military career, the family lived in different parts of India. Anushka spent part of her childhood in Assam before settling in Bengaluru.

Education and Modeling Career

Anushka Sharma attended the Army School in Bengaluru and later studied arts at Mount Carmel College, where she completed her undergraduate education.

During her college years, she became interested in modeling and fashion. She initially considered pursuing a career in modeling or journalism rather than acting.

At the age of 18, she moved to Mumbai to pursue professional modeling opportunities.

She began working with Elite Model Management and received guidance from fashion consultant Prasad Bidapa.

In 2007, she appeared at Lakmé Fashion Week in Mumbai, walking the runway for fashion designer Wendell Rodricks. She participated in his Les Vamps collection and was selected to appear in the show's finale.

She subsequently worked in advertising campaigns for clothing, cosmetics, personal-care products, and other consumer brands.

Her modeling career led to opportunities to audition for Hindi-language films.

Bollywood Debut: Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi

Anushka Sharma made her film debut in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008), written and directed by Aditya Chopra and produced by Yash Raj Films.

The film was released on December 12, 2008, and starred Shah Rukh Khan in the leading male role.

Sharma portrayed Taani Sahni, a young woman who enters an arranged marriage with Surinder Sahni, played by Shah Rukh Khan.

The story follows their developing relationship after Surinder adopts a different identity to participate in a dance competition.

Sharma was selected for the role after an audition process conducted by Yash Raj Films. She was 20 years old when the film was released.

Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi performed well at the Indian box office and established her career in Hindi cinema.

Her performance earned her nominations at the Filmfare Awards for Best Actress and Best Female Debut.

Badmaash Company and Band Baaja Baaraat

In 2010, Anushka Sharma appeared in Badmaash Company, directed by Parmeet Sethi.

The film was released on May 7, 2010, and starred Shahid Kapoor, Meiyang Chang, and Vir Das.

Sharma played Bulbul Singh, a young woman who joins a group of friends involved in business schemes in the 1990s.

Later that year, she starred in Band Baaja Baaraat, directed by Maneesh Sharma and produced by Yash Raj Films.

The film was released on December 10, 2010, and marked the leading-role debut of Ranveer Singh.

Sharma portrayed Shruti Kakkar, an ambitious young woman who starts a wedding-planning business with Bittoo Sharma, played by Ranveer Singh.

The film follows their professional partnership and the complications that arise when their personal relationship changes.

Her performance earned her a Filmfare Award nomination for Best Actress and an International Indian Film Academy Award for Best Actress.

Patiala House and Ladies vs Ricky Bahl

In 2011, Anushka Sharma starred alongside Akshay Kumar in Patiala House, directed by Nikkhil Advani.

She portrayed Simran Chaggal, who supports a British-Indian cricketer attempting to pursue his sporting career despite opposition from his family.

The film was released on February 11, 2011.

Later that year, Sharma reunited with Ranveer Singh in Ladies vs Ricky Bahl, released on December 9, 2011.

Directed by Maneesh Sharma, the romantic comedy follows a con artist who deceives women for financial gain.

Sharma played Ishika Desai, a saleswoman recruited to expose the con artist's schemes.

The cast also included Parineeti Chopra, Dipannita Sharma, and Aditi Sharma.

Jab Tak Hai Jaan and Filmfare Award

In 2012, Anushka Sharma starred in Jab Tak Hai Jaan, directed by Yash Chopra.

The film featured Shah Rukh Khan and Katrina Kaif in the other leading roles.

Sharma portrayed Akira Rai, a documentary filmmaker who becomes involved in the life of an Indian Army bomb-disposal specialist.

Jab Tak Hai Jaan was released on November 13, 2012, shortly after the death of director Yash Chopra.

At the 2013 Filmfare Awards, Sharma won Best Supporting Actress for her performance.

She also received other awards for the role, including an International Indian Film Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola and PK

In 2013, Anushka Sharma appeared in Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola, a political comedy directed by Vishal Bhardwaj.

She played Bijlee Mandola, the daughter of a wealthy businessman portrayed by Pankaj Kapur. Imran Khan appeared in the leading male role.

In 2014, Sharma starred in PK, directed by Rajkumar Hirani, alongside Aamir Khan, Sushant Singh Rajput, Boman Irani, and Sanjay Dutt.

She portrayed Jagat Janini Sahni, also known as Jaggu, a television journalist who meets an extraterrestrial visitor attempting to recover a stolen device.

The film examines religious beliefs, social customs, and the relationship between faith and organized institutions.

PK became one of the highest-grossing Indian films released up to that time.

Film Production and Clean Slate Filmz

In 2013, Anushka Sharma and her brother Karnesh Sharma established the film production company Clean Slate Filmz.

The company developed and produced Hindi-language films and later expanded into streaming television productions.

Its first theatrical release was NH10 (2015), directed by Navdeep Singh.

Sharma starred as Meera, a woman whose journey with her husband becomes violent after they encounter a criminal incident.

She also worked as a producer on the film, which was released on March 13, 2015.

Clean Slate Filmz subsequently produced Phillauri (2017) and Pari (2018), both starring Sharma.

The company also produced the supernatural drama Bulbbul (2020) and the crime series Paatal Lok (2020).

In March 2022, Sharma announced that she was stepping away from Clean Slate Filmz to concentrate on acting and her other responsibilities.

Her brother Karnesh Sharma assumed responsibility for the company's operations.

Films in 2015 and 2016

In 2015, Anushka Sharma appeared in Bombay Velvet, directed by Anurag Kashyap.

She played Rosie Noronha, a jazz singer, opposite Ranbir Kapoor. The film was set in Bombay during the 1960s.

That same year, she appeared in Dil Dhadakne Do, directed by Zoya Akhtar.

The ensemble cast included Anil Kapoor, Shefali Shah, Priyanka Chopra, Ranveer Singh, and Farhan Akhtar.

Sharma portrayed Farah Ali, a dancer working aboard a cruise ship.

In 2016, she starred alongside Salman Khan in Sultan, directed by Ali Abbas Zafar.

She played Aarfa Hussain, a wrestler whose personal and professional life becomes closely connected with that of the film's central character.

Later in 2016, she appeared in Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, directed by Karan Johar.

The romantic drama starred Ranbir Kapoor, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, and Fawad Khan.

Sharma portrayed Alizeh Khan, a young woman whose friendship with an aspiring musician forms the basis of the film's story.

Phillauri, Jab Harry Met Sejal and Pari

In 2017, Anushka Sharma starred in Phillauri, directed by Anshai Lal.

She played Shashi Kumari, a ghost whose past is connected with a poet and musician portrayed by Diljit Dosanjh.

The film was produced by Clean Slate Filmz and featured Sharma in a production role.

Later that year, she reunited with Shah Rukh Khan in Jab Harry Met Sejal, directed by Imtiaz Ali.

Sharma portrayed Sejal Zaveri, a woman who travels through Europe with a tour guide while searching for her missing engagement ring.

In 2018, she starred in and produced Pari, a supernatural horror film directed by Prosit Roy.

She played Rukhsana, a mysterious young woman whose experiences are connected with supernatural events.

Sanju, Sui Dhaaga and Zero

In 2018, Anushka Sharma appeared in Sanju, directed by Rajkumar Hirani.

The film was a biographical drama about actor Sanjay Dutt, portrayed by Ranbir Kapoor.

Sharma played Winnie Diaz, a fictionalized biographer who interviews the central character.

That year, she also starred alongside Varun Dhawan in Sui Dhaaga: Made in India, directed by Sharat Katariya.

She portrayed Mamta Sharma, a woman who encourages her husband to establish a small tailoring business.

In December 2018, Sharma appeared in Zero, directed by Aanand L. Rai.

The film starred Shah Rukh Khan and Katrina Kaif. Sharma played Aafia Yusufzai Bhinder, a scientist with cerebral palsy.

Zero was her final theatrical release as a leading actress before an extended break from feature-film acting.

Later Work and Chakda 'Xpress

In 2022, Anushka Sharma made a brief appearance in Qala, a Hindi-language period drama released on Netflix.

She subsequently worked on Chakda 'Xpress, a biographical sports film about Indian cricketer Jhulan Goswami.

Sharma portrays Goswami, a former captain of India's women's national cricket team who played international cricket for more than two decades.

The film is directed by Prosit Roy and was developed for Netflix.

Although initially expected to be released earlier, the project experienced delays. As of November 2026, a confirmed public release had not been established.

Marriage to Virat Kohli

Anushka Sharma began a relationship with Indian cricketer Virat Kohli in 2013.

The couple married on December 11, 2017, in a private ceremony in Tuscany, Italy.

Their daughter, Vamika, was born on January 11, 2021.

On February 15, 2024, they welcomed their second child, a son named Akaay. They announced his birth publicly on February 20, 2024.

Sharma and Kohli have generally kept their children away from extensive public and media exposure.

Awards and Recognition

Anushka Sharma has received awards and nominations for her work in Hindi cinema.

Her performance in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi earned Filmfare nominations for Best Actress and Best Female Debut.

She received the International Indian Film Academy Award for Best Actress for Band Baaja Baaraat.

In 2013, she won the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress for Jab Tak Hai Jaan.

Her work as an actress and producer has also been recognized at other Indian film award ceremonies.

Selected Awards

2009 – Filmfare Awards, Best Female Debut Nomination – Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi
2009 – Filmfare Awards, Best Actress Nomination – Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi
2011 – International Indian Film Academy Awards, Best Actress – Band Baaja Baaraat
2011 – Filmfare Awards, Best Actress Nomination – Band Baaja Baaraat
2013 – Filmfare Awards, Best Supporting Actress – Jab Tak Hai Jaan
2013 – International Indian Film Academy Awards, Best Supporting Actress – Jab Tak Hai Jaan

Filmography

2008 – Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (Taani Sahni; Feature Film)
2010 – Badmaash Company (Bulbul Singh; Feature Film)
2010 – Band Baaja Baaraat (Shruti Kakkar; Feature Film)
2011 – Patiala House (Simran Chaggal; Feature Film)
2011 – Ladies vs Ricky Bahl (Ishika Desai; Feature Film)
2012 – Jab Tak Hai Jaan (Akira Rai; Feature Film)
2013 – Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola (Bijlee Mandola; Feature Film)
2014 – PK (Jagat Janini Sahni / Jaggu; Feature Film)
2015 – NH10 (Meera; Feature Film, Also Producer)
2015 – Bombay Velvet (Rosie Noronha; Feature Film)
2015 – Dil Dhadakne Do (Farah Ali; Feature Film)
2016 – Sultan (Aarfa Hussain; Feature Film)
2016 – Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (Alizeh Khan; Feature Film)
2017 – Phillauri (Shashi Kumari; Feature Film, Also Producer)
2017 – Jab Harry Met Sejal (Sejal Zaveri; Feature Film)
2018 – Pari (Rukhsana; Feature Film, Also Producer)
2018 – Sanju (Winnie Diaz; Feature Film)
2018 – Sui Dhaaga: Made in India (Mamta Sharma; Feature Film)
2018 – Zero (Aafia Yusufzai Bhinder; Feature Film)
2022 – Qala (Devika; Cameo Appearance)
Unreleased – Chakda 'Xpress (Jhulan Goswami; Biographical Sports Film)

Producer Credits

2015 – NH10 – Producer
2017 – Phillauri – Producer
2018 – Pari – Producer
2020 – Paatal Lok – Executive Producer, Television Series
2020 – Bulbbul – Producer

Television and Documentary Appearances

2023 – The Romantics – Herself (Documentary Series)

Source: Biyografiler.com