Meet actress, who was once insulted by Aditya Chopra, dated her co-star, was mocked for cosmetic surgery, now…

This actress was once deemed ‘not-so-good-looking’ but she rose to become one of Bollywood’s most popular and bankable actresses. Her remarkable journey began with a debut opposite Bollywood’s Badshah Shah Rukh Khan, which catapulted her to overnight stardom. Her versatility and talent yielded her blockbuster hits like PK and Sultan, we are talking about none other than Anushka Sharma.

Born to Colonel Ajay Kumar Sharma and homemaker Ashima Sharma in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, Anushka spent most of her childhood in Bangalore. She pursued her education at esteemed institutions, including St. Mary's School in Assam, Army School in Bangalore, and Mount Carmel College, where she graduated. Her journey to stardom commenced when she was discovered by fashion designer Ventrell Rodericks at a mall. Rodericks was impressed by her presence and offered her an opportunity to model on the ramp, marking the beginning of her modelling career.

Anushka faced her share of challenges as an outsider in Bollywood. Undeterred, she attended numerous auditions until her big break came with the role of Taani Sahni in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi opposite Shah Rukh Khan. She credited Yash Raj Films’ head Aditya Chopra for recognizing her talent and giving her a chance. In a candid chat on the TV show, the actress also shared a mortifying moment when Chopra gave her a blunt assessment. He told her that she should focus on developing her acting skills, as her looks weren't good enough for the industry. 

Post her debut, Anushka solidified her position as a leading lady in Bollywood, delivering impressive performances in blockbuster films like Band Baaja Baarat, Dil Dhadakne Do, and Sanju, among others. Besides this, she also ventured into film production, alongside her brother, and co-founded Clean Slate Filmz. Her production house churned out critically acclaimed gems like NH10, Phillauri, Pari, and Bulbbul.

Anushka once faced criticism for the cosmetic surgery she underwent for 'Bombay Velvet'. She openly discussed her temporary lip enhancement, saying, "I have nothing to hide... I did what I had to for my character in Bombay Velvet. I'm not going to lie and pretend I didn't; I took responsibility for my actions. I wanted my fans to know I'm human and not flawless."

Anushka’s personal life also has been subject to intense media scrutiny, particularly her alleged romance with Ranveer Singh, her co-star from Band Baaja Baraat. However, in a candid conversation with Simi Garewal, Anushka debunked the rumours, asserting that she never dated Ranveer. She explained, "Ranveer and I are fundamentally different people. Once you get to know us beyond the surface level, it becomes clear that we weren't compatible."

Meanwhile, Anushka tied the knot with Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli in an intimate ceremony in Italy on December 11, 2017, after dating for a few years. The couple has a daughter named Vamika, and a son named Akaay. She has been on a hiatus from films for a long time now ever since she became a mother. She last featured in Shah Rukh Khan-starrer, Zero. She will next star in Chakda 'Xpress wherein she will portray Jhulan Goswami.