Anushka Sharma
A Bollywood star who leveraged her fame to become a powerful producer, championing new stories and shattering the industry's traditional mold.
Born 1988 (age 38)·Indian actress·Birthday: May 1·Millennials
Biography
Anushka Sharma entered Hindi cinema not with a whisper, but a bang, debuting opposite Shah Rukh Khan in the blockbuster 'Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi.' Her girl-next-door charm was immediate, but it was her sharp intelligence that defined her career. She quickly moved beyond romantic leads, choosing roles that showcased grit and complexity, from a haunted journalist in 'Pari' to a determined spy in 'NH10,' which she also produced. This move into production was revolutionary; through her company Clean Slate Filmz, she backed content-driven projects that mainstream studios often overlooked, like the acclaimed series 'Paatal Lok.' Sharma became a new archetype: the star as a business visionary, using her influence to alter the kinds of stories told and who gets to tell them, before stepping back from acting to focus on building her entrepreneurial and family life.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Anushka was born in 1988, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Anushka Was Born
The biggest hits of 1988
#1 Movie
Rain Man
Best Picture
Rain Man
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Anushka's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1988Born
Pan Am Flight 103 bombed over Lockerbie
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $74,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Faith" — George MichaelBest Picture: Rain Man
1993Started school
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
2001Became a teenager
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2004Could drive
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2006Could vote
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2009Turned 21
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2018Turned 30
Royal wedding of Harry and Meghan; Parkland shooting
Gas: $2.72/galHome: $211,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"God's Plan" — DrakeBest Picture: Green Book
2026Age 38 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Co-founded the production company Clean Slate Filmz, which produced the critically acclaimed Amazon Prime series 'Paatal Lok'.
- Produced and starred in the thriller 'NH10', a commercial and critical success that paved the way for female-led noir in Bollywood.
- Is one of the few Bollywood actresses to have three films earn over 1.5 billion rupees at the box office in a single year (2015).
- Featured on Forbes Asia's '30 Under 30' list in 2018 for her impact on the entertainment industry.
Did You Know?
She worked as a model before her acting debut and was the first Indian model to appear on the cover of Harper's Bazaar India.
She is married to Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli.
She is a trained Kathak classical dancer.
She is a vocal advocate for animal rights and is a vegetarian.
“I don't want to be a star, I want to be an actor. I want to be known for my work.”
