Anushka Sharma on why she and Virat Kohli make for a perfect couple
Anuradha Choudhary (TIMES LIFE; September 15, 2019)

The assumption is that a married actress stops getting offers…
Yeah. If you are married, people ask, “Is she pregnant?” They love to read into something when there really isn’t anything. It’s so hard for people to believe that someone would like to take time off to be rejuvenated. You shouldn’t deny yourself that because it’s important to think fresh; then you can take the right decisions. Also, I’m not the sort who slyly talks about the films I’ve turned down. Since I don’t do that on principle, it’s conjectured that I don’t have films. Please give me some credit. I’ve been working for 10 years now.

Rumours of pregnancy keep filmmakers away...
What irks me is the clarification part. Do I need to clarify? Nahi! But then that’s how it is. Any actress, who gets married... sabke baare mein, they have said something. Someone could be wearing clothes that are loose because they are trendy. But they are said to be pregnant. It’s like a monkey on your back. You can’t do anything about it. You just ignore it.

How did you manage to keep the wedding under wraps?
We wanted to keep it genuine. We didn’t want it to be adulterated and touched by anything that would remind us we are celebrities. We were with our parents and our siblings, who have sacrificed so much for us, our closest friends, who’ve supported us through our worst. If we’d allowed it to become public in any way, we would be reminded of our public standing. We just wanted to be like two people in love. We never counted for who we were publicly when we fell in love. Our beings fell in love. We wanted to feel that purity at our wedding. That’s why we kept it so close to our hearts and away from anything that’d make us think about anything other than us.

What has it been like in the last one and a half years?
I’m married to my best friend. I’m married to my confidant. I’m married to someone I love so dearly just because of the human being that he is. You talk about being misunderstood in life and then you meet someone who understands you completely. Then the world doesn’t exist. So for him and me, when we are together, the world ceases to exist. We find solace in one another because of the similarities we share as people. Even when we were dating each other, it was the same thing. I feel extremely happy because he’s my family.

Would you recommend marriage?
Yes. But you have to find the right person and you have to marry for the right reasons. You should marry because you feel right about the person. You should marry because the person fills you up. Marriage should never be a compromise or a settlement. You have to understand that it’s a commitment. It’s a promise. And you only promise something that holds value. So, you need to find someone who understands that value and its sanctity. For me, relationships have to be pure. I have very few friends, but they are special. I want authenticity, realness. I can’t tolerate things that are fake.

They say when you are happy inside, you tend to work more…
Yeah, you feel more settled, more driven. Maybe because you are not all over the place. Your mind is like, ‘I want to be consumed by work’. And when you are with each other it’s just about each other.

Does it at times take away from work, because you only want to be with that person?
No, not at all. In fact, it rejuvenates you. You need to have that balance. There has to be a purpose in life. You can have a shared purpose or shared values you are working towards... I love being on the set. Virat’s also as passionate about his profession. The good thing is that both of us have been in professions that are demanding and in the public eye. So, we are good at helping each other deal with the pressures; making sure that the other is in a good mind-space. At times, he motivates me, at times I do. It’s like we are one.

Virat has said you’ve helped him in ‘temper management’...
He’s one of the calmest persons I’ve met. Off the field, he’s so relaxed. You can ask my friends, my team. He’s like that on field only because he’s so passionate. He’s not aggressive in real life. That’s only his demeanour on the field. He’s the most shaant person I know. I look at him and I’m like, ‘Wow! You’re so chill’.”

How different are you from each other?
Honestly, we are quite similar as people. We like doing the same things. We get such little time to be with each other that when we are together, we just want to chill. We are happy just walking around when abroad. We just want to spend that time being normal – buying water or knickknacks at the supermarket. Both of us take pleasure in these little things. I find it hard to say what ways we differ in. Of course, there are occasions when we have to go out and I do get late in getting ready. It’s not like I’m 15 minutes late. I could be just seven minutes late and he’ll be hovering around me. Then I’m like, ‘This is going to make it worse. Please go and sit down and let me get ready’.

Does he ever discuss cricket with you ever?
Yes, his mindset. For us it’s important that both of us stay in a good space, a positive mind-space. We owe that to each other.

How do you deal with trolls on social media?
Honestly, I don’t pay attention to nasty comments. Trolling says a lot about society at large and about the people who make nasty comments. The sad part is they are half-baked and uniformed opinions coming out with such great élan and confidence.

Roshni Olivera (BOMBAY TIMES; December 17, 2018)

Life has come full circle for Anushka Sharma. Exactly a decade ago, she made her debut in Bollywood opposite Shah Rukh Khan in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi and now, there’s Zero with him again. She is naturally excited with what she calls a “sweet coincidence”, and in a candid chat with BT, the spunky actress talks about her changing equation with Shah Rukh, her unconventional way of thinking, life post marriage and pregnancy rumours. Excerpts...

You started your career in a film with Shah Rukh Khan and now, exactly a decade later, you have a film again with him releasing around the same time. Quite a coincidence?
I realised this some time ago and I was like, ‘Oh God! It’s been 10 years!’ On December 12, 2008, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi released and now, Zero with Shah Rukh is releasing. It’s amazing! It’s like life has come full circle, which is beautiful. It’s even more special because Shah Rukh is somebody I have always admired, be it his drive, his passion or his ability to take every day as his first day. To have that kind of drive is not easy — to come on the set everyday, be willing to break your bones, hurt yourself and do anything for the sake of a film.

Zero has two actresses in lead roles, Katrina and you. What are the factors that you consider before saying ‘Yes’ to a two-heroine project?
I don’t look at it as a two-heroine film. I see it as a film that has characters in it. We usually talk about these things when it’s to do with women, we don’t ask male actors about this. I don’t dwell upon such things because I’m only concerned about what I am doing in the film. There could be times when I am offered a film where I am the only leading lady, but if the story is not interesting, I won’t do it. At the same time, even if it’s an ensemble cast, like in Dil Dhadakne Do, I would do it if I feel it’s interesting and I want to work with the director. My reason for being a part of Zero is that I am very happy with my role. Also, when there are interesting characters like Katrina’s character (in Zero), you want the right people to do the film. You are as invested in it as anybody else. So, for me, Katrina doing this film is as important as me doing it. My thinking is very unconventional; I don’t have that primitive way of thinking. And I can safely say that even the audience today has really evolved.

In a way, you started the trend of marriages in Bollywood. Tell us about your wedding (Anushka married Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli in December last year).
(Smiles!) Yes, I guess. Sonam got married, then Deepika (Padukone) and Priyanka (Chopra). Talking about my marriage, I always do things that I feel are right for me. I was 29 when I got married and it was something that just had to happen. In my head and in terms of commitment, we were already there. I am very happy with the way it all happened. We wanted it to be private and something that was truly ours. We wanted it to be like a wedding that was happening in our own home and we are glad we were able to do that. In fact, I remember that while I was shooting for Zero, I was planning my wedding.

There was a time when a leading lady’s career graph would change post marriage; there weren’t as many roles written for them. But today, we are in a new era and in this aspect, the industry and the audience have some a long way. What do you think?
This thought never even crossed my mind when I was getting married. I have never paid attention to such things. Marriage is not something that one should shy away from. I believe that if my work and what I bring to the table is important, then I have to value myself enough and not fall prey to such ideas. These are all redundant concepts. Today, women have children, they go out to do their jobs and come home. Work is a part of life and so is marriage, and you have to enjoy both. You can’t live in fear, I don’t and I have always done what I wanted to do.

Post marriage, how has life changed?
Life hasn’t changed. I was working till two days before I got married. It’s been a hectic year for me. When you are two individuals who are really busy and accomplishing a lot in your respective lives, your marriage is as normal as normal can be. That’s how it is for everybody.

Given that Virat seems comfortable in front of the camera, as we can see in his commercials, is there an actor in the making here?
That’s something you should ask him (smiles).

Coming back to you, how do you deal with constant speculation about being in the family way? What do you say when people ask you if you are expecting a baby?
I really think that all this is very dakiyanusi (regressive). When I am asked this question by anyone, it feels like some taiji is asking me that! Everyone should respect another person’s privacy. Just because you are married, it doesn’t mean that the next step is to go the family way. I got married at a young age for a reason. If you are having a baby, it is something that no one can hide. You can still hide a marriage, but not the fact that you are pregnant. People can keep speculating (about someone being pregnant), and then after four months when they realise that these stories are false, they will feel silly and say, ‘Let’s go after the other one who got married, let’s talk about her now’! This is done to generate news. There is absolutely no truth to it and it’s not something that’s being planned in the near future.

Talking about Zero, you play the challenging role of a scientist suffering from cerebral palsy. How did you go about preparing for it?
I wanted to to do full justice to it and represent it correctly. I worked on it for three months with an occupational therapist and an audiologist to understand the condition and what the physical limitations are. My character is a highly accomplished scientist. I just wanted to make sure that I am able to bring out her spirit. Himanshu (Sharma, writer) and Aanand (L Rai, director) sir did a lot of research on this and I completely followed their vision.

What was the kind of bonding on the set between Katrina, Shah Rukh and you? Also, given that you have done four films with Shah Rukh, how has your equation with him changed over the years?
In my case, it has obviously changed; maybe not for him because he has been doing this for so many years. I remember I was so awkward and raw initially. Today, I’m more confident and I feel that I can have a conversation and discuss various topics with him, which earlier, I would be scared to, wondering whether what I am saying was important enough! Shah Rukh has always been nice to me and he has made me feel comfortable. It feels like I have worked with him all through my career, because we have been doing a film together almost every other year (she has worked with him in Jab Tak Hai Jaan (2012) and Jab Harry Met Sejal (2017) as well).

With Katrina, this is my second film. I really respect her attitude towards her job. Sometimes, I am just amazed at the hard work she has put into her career; that's something nobody can ever take away from her. She is really easy to work with and she is a very real person. She is not pretentious at all and that's the case with me, too. In this film, we haven’t shot together, but whenever I meet her and we hang out together, it's just so easy. We can sit on a couch and not talk to each other, without feeling, ‘Oh! we have to talk to each other’. That's the comfort level between us.

At 25, you started your own production company along with your brother, and you have been making some interesting movies. Apart from understanding the business, what’s the one learning that you’ve had so far?
Everything is a learning and you are also unlearning, which is very important. We see this as a long journey, where we are creating content and generating different concepts. People understand that we are capable of finding the right talent, be it writers or directors. Also finding new talent and honing that. It’s a very cool time for us. This has taught me one thing — just follow your conviction.

Have you ever thought of directing a film?
No, there is too much happening already. I’m producing, acting, running my fashion label, so I have a lot on my plate.

You always said that you are socially awkward. Is that aspect of your personality getting better?
I’m not awkward anymore, but I am happy being alone and in my own space. Sometimes, my friends make fun of it and say that I am almost reclusive. That’s because I am doing many things and it takes up a lot of my head space. My work takes up majority of my time and the rest of the time, I spend with my loved ones.

So, how do you detach from work at the end of the day?
I leave my work outside the house, that’s a rule in my home. I am very good at compartmentalising my life and creating clear boundaries. That’s what keeps me sane, happy and peaceful.

As she reunites with her first co-star Shah Rukh Khan in Zero, Anushka charts her growth in decade- long run in Bollywood
Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; December 14, 2018)

A cool coincidence” are Anushka Sharma’s choice of words to describe how her life has come a full circle. As she clocks a decade in Bollywood, she finds herself romancing her first co-star again in Zero - Shah Rukh Khan. It was, after all, opposite him that she made her debut in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008). In holding her own opposite one of the biggest superstars of Bollywood, Sharma showed then that she was an actor to watch out for.

The duo has since collaborated on two films — Jab Tak Hai Jaan (2012) and Jab Harry Met Sejal (2017). While she admits to being a bundle of nerves during her first film, the actor says she has got more comfortable with Khan over the years. “When I did my first film, I was naturally apprehensive. But with every movie, I have got more comfortable working with him. And what remains constant is my admiration for him.”

In her 10-year-long run in the industry, Sharma has displayed a knack for taking on unconventional roles. her outing in the Aanand L Rai-directed drama is no exception — the actor plays a scientist suffering from cerebral palsy. She credits her brave choices to her lack of fear of failure. “I have loosened up and am more settled as an actor. Expectations don’t bog me down. If a film is good, it will do well. Also, I’m not superstitious. See, no rings,” she laughs, pointing to her fingers. Point out her frequent visits to the Babaji in Uttarakhand, and she says, “That’s spiritual.”

The past year has been eventful for the actor, who tied the knot with long-time beau cricketer Virat Kohli. “I was working right till the day I had to fly out for my wedding. I have had four releases this year, so it has been hectic,” says Sharma, adding that she wouldn’t want it any other way.

Actress Anushka Sharma discusses Twitter trolls and insists that cinema is more a director’s than an actor’s medium
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; November 27, 2018)

A few weeks ago, Bollywood’s ‘It’ couple, Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh, tied the knot at a picturesque Lake Como resort in Italy with only 40 guests in attendance. Rings were exchanged, sangeet and mehendi were followed by two wedding ceremonies and an allnight party, all away from the prying paparazzi.

Last year, another power couple, Anushka Sharma and Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli, had got married on December 11 in an equally private ceremony in a Tuscan villa, with only family and friends around. And it was only after the formalities were complete, that Virushka took to Twitter to announce the news and share a few pictures from their fairytale wedding. This was the first time the couple had officially acknowledged their relationship.

Since then, Anushka has often been spotted cheering for her man when he’s on the field and accompanying him on cricketing tours when her schedule permits. Virat too has made time to be with his better half at special screenings and even rooted for her films online. But publicly, they still refuse to discuss each other.

On Monday afternoon, as soon as the 30-year-old actress drove into Mehboob Studio for media interactions, looking stunning in a white dress, her manager stepped up to inform everyone that no personal questions would be entertained. And even though their first anniversary is only a fortnight away, when it came to Virat, Mrs Kohli stayed mum.

She was happy, however, to talk about Shah Rukh Khan, opposite whom she was introduced in Rab Ne Bana De Jodi in 2008. Since then, they have worked together in Yash Chopra’s swansong Jab Tak Hai Jaan, Imtiaz Ali’s travelogue Jab Harry Met Sejal and are now gearing up for the release of Zero, their fourth collaboration, which also reunites her with Katrina Kaif. Anushka points out that she has worked with SRK every second year since her debut. “My first film opened on December 12 and coincidentally this one releases on December 21. I find it really cool that I am completing a decade in films with Shah Rukh in December,” she smiled, adding that Zero is SRK, director Aanand L Rai and writer Himanshu Sharma’s baby. “I am happy to be a part of their larger-than-life vision,” she added.

Anushka went on to inform that she attended several acting workshops to get the nuances of Aafiya, her character, right since she has cerebral palsy. “When you play a differently-abled person, it is important to understand that you are representing a truth and it must be done with responsibility,” she explained. Her vertically-challenged ‘hero’ and the makers have described Zero as a film that celebrates incompleteness. Anushka believes otherwise. “All of us are working towards being the best version of ourselves. For me, this film stands for finding perfection in a seemingly imperfect world.”

This has been a year of surprises with big budget films failing to leave their mark and some smaller films earning the big bucks. “Content is king, and it looms above everybody,” the actress-producer pointed out. “Today, a lot of people misconstrue it as an actors’ medium. The industry will grow when everyone starts realising that film is directors’ medium.” For Anushka both critical acclaim and box-office collections are equally important. “The idea is to make sure that people watch it. As a producer, it is essential to know which market you are targeting. If your film does well in that market, then it is a success,” she maintained. So, while a section of trade insists that her last home production, Pari, is a flop, she informs that no one lost money on the film and that she is content with the way the film was received. “Either people loved it or didn’t understand it. It was an experiment and a plus film for us as a producer,” she asserted.

Anushka insisted she’s equally secure in her space as an actor which is why she is not apprehensive about signing two-heroine films. “If you write two incredible characters, why shouldn’t an actress want to work in the film? It is the impact of the character and not the length that matters,” she argued.

The social media came down heavily on her when she was clicked with the Indian Cricket team at the High Commission of India in London, the only WAG in the frame. She is unfazed by the criticism, “Social media is not the right place to gauge criticism because a lot of faceless people have an opinion on your life. There is a lot of vested interest involved, as a public figure I’m prepared for it and don’t get affected.” She added that she reacts positively to criticism from within the industry.

Unlike her contemporaries, Anushka doesn’t have a film in her kitty after Zero. Explaining the reason for slowing down, she pointed out that she has been working back-to-back. “In fact, I was working till two days before I got married. I have reached a position in my career where I can take the liberty to choose films I want to do. I am reading a lot of scripts and want to do something different from what I’ve played so far,” she said, informing that she is in talks for a few films and her production house is also in negotiations on a series and a feature film. 

Meena Iyer (DNA; September 21, 2018)

Anushka Sharma’s film trajectory needs to be stolen. She is one of the few fortunate heroines who has featured in three Rs 300-cr plus films — PK (2014), Sultan (2016) and Sanju (2018). She has also earned herself the reputation of working around each of her movies with quiet dedication and dogged determination. Right now, she is nurturing a film that seems to have its heart in the right place — Sui Dhaaga: Made in India. Even as she is stitching up loose ends, she takes a short break to answer our questions. Excerpts…

How was it working with Gen-Now star Varun Dhawan for the first time?
It was great. We didn’t know each other at all. So, we didn’t have the camaraderie that you have when you engage socially. We did have a few common friends, but we didn’t spend time together in a personal setting. He was a revelation. He’s a genuinely nice guy, well brought up and totally driven. He’s crazy, I love him (smiles). The good thing about him is that he has no ego as an actor. Varun does not portray something that he is not, which is something I really like about him. The fact that we did not ‘know’ each other helped as in the film, our respective characters — Mamta and Mauji — discover each other over a period of time.

You’ve been balancing your career with middle-of-the-road cinema and pure commercial fare. After Sui Dhaaga, you have Aanand L Rai’s Zero with Shah Rukh Khan. You had an interesting cameo in Sanju, too. Is this by design or is this how you intend to continue?
I always wanted to do more accessible cinema and balance that with films which have a different voice. I think Sui Dhaaga and PK are a good balance. My upcoming film doesn’t have lip-sync songs just like Dangal. I’m not comparing it to Dangal, I’m just talking about these films in terms of their content and how they speak to a wider audience. Also, movies like Sui Dhaaga allow you to engage with filmmakers who have a different voice. This, in turn, helps you to take that understanding and evolution that you might have experienced as an actor to another film, even if that is of a more commercial nature. Also, I can’t keep doing one thing. The luxury of an actor is to keep on reinventing. If I’m doing the same thing again and again, then it’s no fun.

When I get a different character to play, or work with a director who has a diverse vision, it’s exciting. You spend a lot of time on a film, away from home and family. So, you want to be excited about going to the set every day.

Had you taken up embroidery before the film?
I can’t recall. Perhaps, when I was in school, but not properly. My mom has done interiors and fashion designing. In fact, she used to do these wide embroidery designs that we had put up in the living room of the home we grew up in. I observed her body language closely, which helped me. But I did learn embroidery for the film and would practise on the sets, in between shots.

Did you create something for your husband (Virat Kohli), like his name or put his initials on a handkerchief?
Not really. I’d be constantly practicing embroidery on a handkerchief, or a pillow cover or a pocket square but I can’t remember doing something specific for him. I used to call the costume department and keep asking for more dhaaga (thread). After a point, they were irritated and would run away from me (laughs).

It seems like you’re doing less work now.
Do you know how many releases I have this year? Four. Starting with Pari in March, then Sanju in June, Sui Dhaaga and Zero later this December. Last year, I had three. In the last few years, I’ve only been working.

Do you plan to continue doing three-four films a year?
I’ve not decided that yet. In the past three-four years, I’ve portrayed different roles that demanded a lot from me. Ideally, I’d like to do two films a year, so I could plan and focus on them. If a third film comes my way, I’ll think, ‘Haan, mujhe woh bhi karni hai.’ That’s not something you can control as the excitement about a script and working with a director are other aspects that prompt you to take up a film.

Would you equate that as ambition or a drive?
Ambition is when you’re working towards the end goal. I’ve been working since I was a teenager. I enjoy my work. I’m in a profession where I do one project and then move on to another. I’m self-employed, so I can control what I take up. For the last 10 years, I’ve only been working. The month-long break this year is the longest I’ve had in a decade.

Did you not take a wedding break last December?
No. Until two days before my wedding, I was shooting. I don’t consider it a break because that is a milestone in my life. I needed a break from work to relax. The one I took this June-July was the longest one in my life. I also realized that it’s not good to keep working continuously. On my return, I felt energised and my creative juices were flowing better. When you’re working every single day, you are going from one set to the other and straddling films, ads and interviews. People get a kick out of that, but it doesn’t work that way for me. I need a proper work-life balance. At the same time, the films I take up are the subjects I choose to do, not because I’m working towards an end product or someone is telling me that I’ve to act in a certain number of movies. I’m in a secure position in my career. I enjoy the different kind of work that I’m offered. It’s testimony to the fact that directors are seeing that versatility in me, which is something I’ve always strived for.

Most of your co-actors say that you are a straightforward person. Are there any disadvantages to that?
Yes, you are misunderstood a lot when you’re straightforward! When people don’t say what they mean, and I say what I mean, the others are looking for another meaning. The order of the world is that no one is having transparent conversations with one another. That really frustrates me. So, I surround myself with people who understand me the way I am.

In your case what you see is what you get, right?
Yes. I’m not doing anything wrong that I need to hide. I’m comfortable in my skin and I don’t need to project an image of what I’m not. And whatever my issues or shortcomings are, I’m owning them and working on them. I’m not going around hiding or camouflaging them with a big smile on my face. I don’t want to be liked by everyone because it’s extremely strenuous to lead that kind of life. When you understand that the other person is struggling as much as you are in trying to create that image, and you start being yourself, the people around you relax. That is something I’ve discovered and I find it more peaceful. Once someone asked me what makes me take decisions and I said that I do things that make me peaceful. All my decisions are related to that. You have to be true to yourself.

MUMBAI MIRROR (December 27, 2017)

Bollywood stars were yet to arrive at a SoBo five-star for Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma’s Mumbai reception, when Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Anil Kumble walked in to greet the newlyweds. After the couple arrived on the red carpet around 9 pm, Aditya Roy Kapur with producer-brother Siddharth, and Rekha, were the first stars to turn up.

Virat and Anushka had tied the knot in a Tuscan vineyard earlier this month, which was followed by a short honeymoon. On December 21, the couple hosted a lavish reception in Delhi for their extended family.

The Mumbai reception also saw cricketers Virender Sehwag, Sunil Gavaskar, Jaydev Unadkat, Cheteshwar Pujara and Umesh Yadav with wife Tanya Wadhwa in attendance, while Anushka’s PK director Rajkumar Hirani, producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra and colleague Boman Irani represented Bollywood. Ace badminton player Saina Nehwal and producer Ramesh Taurani were also present.

After the engagement and wedding ceremony, Sabyasachi was the outfit of choice for Anushka for the reception too. The designer shared that the radiant bride wanted to channel old world glamour

Hand-beaten silver thread, textured sequins and cut organza flowers were assembled on an embroidered tulle base to create an ethereal lehenga and award-winning master craftsmen from Lucknow rendered her stunning dupatta which was cinched at the waist with the ‘Bengal Tiger’ belt.

Anushka’s look was accessorised with a necklace and earrings handcrafted with rose-cut diamonds, solitaires and briolettes. Virat looked dapper in a Raghavendra Rathore outfit.


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Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; December 27, 2017)

Following a grand reception at Delhi’s Hotel Taj Palace last week, Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli were finally ready to introduce themselves as couple for folk from showbiz and the cricket world. A glamorous event at Mumbai’s St Regis marked the close of the revered duo’s wedding celebrations, and fittingly, the event was among the most magnificent of the lot.

A far cry from the vibrant red that she chose for her turn at the capital, Sharma glittered in a muted gold Sabyasachi lehenga, and was all smiles as she draped her arms around hubby Kohli. The captain of the Indian cricket team looked dapper in black with a hint of pink, as he matched Sharma’s steps for a photo-op session that breached the 8.30 pm deadline. However, with the power couple letting their hair down and permitting themselves to display their affection at the do, sour faces were quick to lighten up.

A bevy of celebrities from both worlds were expected to grace the occasion, and they delivered with their timely appearance. Sharma’s friends, Boman Irani, Rekha, Amitabh Bachchan with Abhishek and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Ranbir Kapoor, Katrina Kaif, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Kangana Ranaut, Madhuri Dixit, A R Rahman, writer Amish Tripathi, Karan Johar and Sidharth Malhotra were in attendance.

Given the popularity of Kohli on the field, his colleagues from the pitch, including friend MS Dhoni, Sachin Tendulker, Anil Kumble, Sunil Gavaskar and Ravindra Jadeja were in high spirits as they posed along with their families, for the shutterbugs.


Abhishek Bachchan with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan


Katrina Kaif


Shah Rukh Khan


Kangana Ranaut, Rekha, Madhuri Dixit


Sridevi and Boney Kapoor

The festivities reached a high when Prime Minister Narendra Modi walked in around 9.40 pm to wish the newly-weds. The couple had visited the PMO on Wednesday to extend an invite to Modi. Among Kohli's cricket friends, Suresh Raina was the first to arrive. Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh, Arun Jaitley and other dignitaries were expected to make their presence felt at the reception, till the time of going to press.

Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; December 13, 2017)

After four years of courting each other, Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli are now man and wife. The two lovebirds culminated their relationship into marriage on Monday (December 11) in an intimate wedding ceremony at one of the most luxurious heritage hotels in Tuscany, Italy. Although most actresses scoff at the idea of marrying early, Anushka’s done it the right way...

Whether it’s taking a leap as a producer — backing some niche stories — or making the choice of never playing the side-kick to a superstar, Anushka has always followed her gut. She has never played the game the conventional way. So, when she chose to get married right at the peak of her career, it didn’t surprise us.

While most of her contemporary heroines have shied away from the ‘married’ tag, Anushka has embraced it at 29 and how. For decades, we haven’t heard of a leading lady tying the knot before turning 30. We don’t blame them either. There’s an unusual stigma attached to marriage when it comes to actresses in Bollywood. Almost all of them are scared of losing their ‘star status’ and their ‘audience’, once they become a missus.

But Anushka’s gumption deserves to be lauded. Now, after the wedding, she returns to the country with Virat for their Delhi and Mumbai receptions, post which, the couple flies off to South Africa for a week. Virat starts the series on January 5, whereas Anushka will come back to complete her work commitments. She will shoot her film with Shah Rukh Khan, promote her next production venture Pari, which is due for release in February, and begin Sui Dhaaga with Varun Dhawan.

While there are hardly examples of heroines marrying so early, especially at the peak of their careers, two people who come to mind are Sharmila Tagore and Dimple Kapadia. While Sharmila settled down when she was 25, Dimple walked the aisle when she was just 16. Post marriage, the two heroines continued to play leading ladies and woo the audiences. We’re sure Anushka will follow the same route, too. Slowly but steadily, the industry is opening newer avenues, valuing someone’s talent over their relationship status and that’s incredible. One look at Kareena Kapoor Khan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Vidya Balan and you will know that the film fraternity is gearing up for a big paradigm shift. Anushka's definitely the newest addition to that revolution.

A look at the wedding planners, designers and photographers, who worked on the shaadi of the year
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; December 13, 2017)

There was speculation around Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli and actor-producer Anushka Sharma’s wedding right until the couple made an official announcement on social media on Monday. While the nuptials, which took place at the 14th century nine bedroom manor, Borgo Finocchieto, in Tuscany, Italy, seemed like a quiet and secret affair, sources says it involved a year of planning.

It was speculated that Virat and Anushka got engaged when they travelled to Uttarakhand last year, but the couple had denied it. They did exchange rings then, and the planning for the destination wedding started around that time. A team of event managers, wedding planners, fashion designers and international photographers were brought on board. Virat and Anushka handpicked each of them, and managed to keep the preparation under wraps. Rumours around the wedding rekindled when Anushka's home in Mumbai, Badrinath Towers, was lit up for a week recently, and the families left for Italy from Mumbai and Delhi," says a source.

Among the first people to come aboard the team was award-winning wedding designer, Devika Narain. "She does everything, from consultation to styling and designing the wedding, planning the menu and thinking entertainment ideas and wedding gifts. Since she had the experience of organising weddings across the world [she had helmed events in Mauritius, Thailand and Bali], she was considered the perfect choice for this occasion," says the source

Stories By Joseph Radhik, a leading wedding photography firm, was chosen as the official photographers. The Wedding Filmer, who had shot Bipasha Basu and Karan Singh Grover's wedding last year and South stars Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Naga Chaitanya's wedding in Goa this year, were selected as the official videographers. Flowers Living, a flowers design and styling boutique in Tuscany, known for their unique floral arrangements, took care of prettifying the manor.

Couturier Sabyasachi Mukherjee, the designer behind the striking ensembles and looks sported by Sharma and Kohli for their wedding festivities, says the couple was a delight to work with. Since the wedding took place in Italy, he ensured there was a timeless aura about the clothes and accessories for the bride and groom. "We designed the clothes for both, bride and groom for all the functions. From the engagement to the mehendi and sangeet, for the wedding and post-wedding dinner too," he says.

For her mehendi ceremony, he says, Anushka wanted a look full of bright colours. "Hot pink was her favourite. We created a graphic lehenga in fuchsia pink and Indian orange. It was hand-printed by the famed Calcutta block printers and hand-embroidered with gota and marori work." Kohli went for a signature khadi kurta churidaar with a classic fuchsia pink textured silk Nehru jacket. Tan leather juttis with a zardozi crest were created to match the ensemble.

Sharma wore a redvelvet saree for the engagement. "It was hand-embroidered using miniature pearls and the finest quality zardozi and marori. She wore an uncut diamond and pearl choker with matching studs," says Mukherjee.

To complement her legenga, jadau jewellery was handcrafted in uncut diamonds, pearls and pale pink spinel. Virat wore ivory -- a hand embroidered sherwani with an ivory tussar stole and a custom woven gold safa," says Mukherjee.

All that you need to know about India's no. 1 celebrity couple, Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma, who finally got hitched yesterday in Italy
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; December 12, 2017)

After weeks of will-they-won't-they, the mystery around the wedding of the year has finally unravelled! Bollywood actor Anushka Sharma and Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli tied the knot at a private ceremony at Borgo Finocchieto in Tuscany, Italy, yesterday.

While the couple shared two pictures from their big day, mid-day has learnt that they have sold the inside pictures from the ceremony, as well as those from pre-wedding ceremonies, to a leading American fashion magazine — the name of which has been, by contract, kept classified. In the run-up to the intimate wedding, the lovebirds had hosted a mehendi and sangeet ceremony at the luxe villa on Sunday evening as well. The couple has decided that the proceeds from the sale of these exclusive pictures will go to charity.


The couple during their engagement

The wedding was a floral-themed one with only the couple's families and a few friends in attendance. The ceremony was performed as per Hindu rituals by five priests who were flown down from Rishikesh. Sharma's favourite designer, Sabyasachi Mukherjee designed the wedding ensembles for both.


At their mehendi ceremony

A source reveals that the security at the villa was beefed up on Sunday, as the celebrations kicked off. "An area of five-kilometre radius around the resort was cordoned off for the celebrations," says the source.

MID-DAY (December 11, 2017)

The rumours about Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli getting married reached a crescendo over the weekend, when the two were spotted allegedly jetting off to Italy from Mumbai and Delhi respectively. Since then, contradictory reports about the shaadi have emerged.

Tongues started wagging yesterday when a sports journalist indicated on social media that the two had already tied the knot on Saturday. Another video that went viral suggested that preparations for the wedding were on in full swing at the Borgo Finocchieto, a luxury villa in Tuscany. However, others claimed that the band, baaja, baaraat is scheduled for December 15 and no sooner.

The low-key ceremony will apparently see Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Sachin Tendulkar and Yuvraj Singh in attendance, besides the couple’s families. But, news about Tendulkar attending the shaadi were refuted by sources close to him.

Amidst all the buzz, the couple has maintained a stoic silence, with the actor’s spokesperson continuing to deny the reports.

Nayandeep Rakshit (DNA; December 10, 2017)

If media reports are to be believed, it’s wedding bells for Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli. The much-in-love couple will finally tie the knot in a private ceremony in Italy. Speculations are rife that Virushka, like they are popularly called by fans, are getting married on December 12 in Milan.

Before that, the pre-wedding celebrations will be on in full swing in Tuscany. While the actress’ spokesperson has denied this, Anushka flying off to Italy with her whole family and a pundit in tow and Virat joining her with his mother has added more fuel to the fire.

Although Anushka kept her wedding details a secret from everybody around her, one person who was among the first few to know all about her D-day was mentor Aditya Chopra. Says a source close to the actress, “Adi and Anushka don’t just share the usual mentor-protégée bond. They are extremely friendly and Adi is someone who Anushka looks up to. He is her biggest confidante, so when she decided to plan her wedding, the first person from the industry who she informed was Adi. He’s very happy for Anushka.”

Incidentally, Anushka is taking the same route as her mentor-confidante. Adi and Rani Mukerji, too, got married in a private ceremony in Italy, away from the prying eyes of the media, with only close friends and family present for the do. Anushka and Virat also will have a very intimate wedding, and none of their closest buddies from the film or sports fraternity have been invited for the ceremony.

Instead, the couple plans to throw a lavish bash in Mumbai around December 21-22. They have already booked a plush banquet at one of the city’s five-star hotels for their reception. Adds our source, “Virat’s first invites were sent to Sachin Tendulkar and Yuvraj Singh, who he’s closest to in the team. On the other hand, Anushka sent her first wedding invitation to Adi and Shah Rukh Khan. SRK, too, is in the know of things because Anushka, who is very close to the superstar, was shooting for a film opposite him and has now taken a break for her nuptials.”

A lot of other members of the film fraternity will now be formally invited for their reception. Expect the who’s who of both the industries to come together as this will certainly be the wedding of the year!

Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; December 9, 2017)

Rumours of Virat Kohli, one of India’s most eligible bachelors, tying the knot with Bollywood’s sweetheart Anushka Sharma have turned out to be true! Anushka left for Italy from Mumbai on Thursday night with her family. Sources reveal that the wedding celebrations will be held in Florence and Milan between December 9 and 12.

A source close to the families revealed to BT, “The invitations have gone out to close friends and family. Only a few of Virat’s friends from Delhi have been invited — one is his childhood buddy, who used to play league cricket with him, and the other, who has been advising him on his fitness.”

Virat has taken a break and he won’t be a part of the T20 or ODIs against Sri Lanka. However, he will lead Team India in the South Africa series and will leave for SA on December 27. The cricketer has apparently even requested not to be disturbed during his break. According to a film industry insider, Anushka had also, much in advance, requested a filmmaker to not schedule her shoot for her upcoming project during December.

Another source revealed, “The couple has booked a SoBo fivestar hotel for their reception on December 21 in Mumbai.”

Virat’s manager Bunty Sajdeh, who is usually quick to dismiss such rumours, has been tight-lipped this time around. There was no response from him despite our repeated attempts till the time of going to press. Interestingly, he had flatly denied any such possibility in October, when the rumours first surfaced after news of Virat’s alleged application of a spouse visa for South Africa went viral. Back then, Bunty had replied to us saying, “These are baseless rumours and there’s no truth to it as far as I know.”

Anushka’s spokesperson denied the news to us even after the actress left for Italy, saying, “It is not true.” Meanwhile, we hear that Anushka’s family guru, Maharaj Anant Baba, too, is in Italy for the wedding. We contacted Devashish Anant from the guru’s Haridwar ashram, asking if the guru was in Europe for the wedding. He said, “Yes, Maharaj Anant Baba is not here, but I won’t say anything else. I won’t say yes, I won’t say no.” However, another source from the ashram confirmed that Anant Baba is in Europe for a wedding, but didn’t divulge whose wedding it is. According to him, the guru’s trip was planned weeks in advance.

— Inputs by Divya Kaushik, Abhimanyu Mathur, Akshita Vohra and Riya Sharma

Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; November 13, 2017)

While fans have been waiting for them to take their relationship to the next level, rumours are rife that cricketer Virat Kohli and actress Anushka Sharma are all set to tie the knot in the beginning of December. According to our sources, it will be a destination wedding.

Anushka and Virat met in 2013, when they shot together for a TV commercial. Their friendship graduated to love and soon the couple was spotted together on various occasions. Anushka has also been seen attending cricket matches to cheer for the Indian team. The two have always refrained from talking about their relationship. However, their affection for each other has been evident through their posts on social media.

There were reports that the two had split some time last year, but they got back together and since then have been going strong. Virat recently acknowledged Anushka’s role in his life on a TV show. He said, “Ever since the lady has come into my life, she has taught me a lot of things. I’ve become more sensible in the last four years, all because of her. She’s taught me how to be more patient and how to utilise the position you are in, to the fullest.” After the two did their first ad together four years ago, they recently shot for another one. Interestingly, the theme of this ad was a wedding. If Virat-Anushka’s December wedding news is true, this will be the third Bollywood-meets-cricket marriage in a year after Yuvraj Singh and Hazel Keech, who tied the knot in Goa and Zaheer Khan and Sagarika Ghatge, who will walk down the aisle on November 27.

Bombay Times contacted Virat’s manager Bunty Sajdeh, who told us, “I don’t know where this news is coming from.” When we spoke to Anushka’s spokesperson, she said, “There is no truth to this.”