2 September 2026 Punjab Khabarnama Bureau : Bollywood actor Anushka Sharma and Indian cricketer Virat Kohli moved their base to London largely because the intense public attention surrounding their lives made it difficult to enjoy their success and raise their children normally, according to Dr Shriram Nene, husband of actress Madhuri Dixit.
Dr Nene recalled a conversation with Anushka in which she discussed the possibility of moving to London, saying the couple found the constant attention surrounding everything they did increasingly intrusive.
‘They Can’t Enjoy Their Success Here’
Speaking during a conversation with YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia, Dr Nene said he had discussed the issue with Anushka and understood why the couple wanted to move abroad.
“They were thinking about moving to London because they can’t enjoy their success here,” Nene recalled.
He added that almost everything the couple does attracts attention, making it difficult for them to enjoy ordinary moments privately.
Constant Attention Became Intrusive
Dr Nene explained that public attention is not necessarily negative, but it can become difficult when it intrudes into everyday life.
He recalled how even dining out can turn into a situation where celebrities are repeatedly approached for selfies. While fans may mean well, Nene said such interactions can eventually become intrusive.
He said Anushka and Virat are “lovely people” who simply want to raise their children normally.
Privacy for Vamika and Akaay
Privacy and family life appear to have been important considerations behind the couple’s decision.
Anushka and Virat are parents to daughter Vamika and son Akaay. Their move to London has allowed the family to maintain a quieter lifestyle away from the intense attention they regularly receive in India.
The couple has been seen in London on several occasions, including with their children.
Dr Nene Understands the Challenge of Fame
Dr Nene also spoke about his own experience with public attention after marrying Madhuri Dixit.
He said one of the biggest things he missed after moving back to India from the US was anonymity—the ability to behave like an ordinary person without constant recognition.
According to Nene, celebrity life can make simple activities more complicated because people recognise and approach public figures wherever they go.
London Offers Greater Anonymity
The UK capital has increasingly become a preferred base for the Kohli-Sharma family.
The couple had spent considerable time in London even before establishing a longer-term base there, and their second child, Akaay, was born in the city in 2024.
Their relocation has allowed them to spend more time away from India’s intense celebrity culture while continuing to travel for professional commitments.
A Quiet Family Life Away From the Spotlight
For Virat, public attention has been a constant part of his cricket career. Anushka, meanwhile, has remained one of India’s most recognisable film personalities.
Their relationship has therefore attracted significant interest from both cricket and Bollywood audiences.
Dr Nene’s comments suggest that the decision to live in London was less about abandoning India and more about creating privacy and normalcy for their family.
The Couple Continues to Visit India
Despite living in London, Anushka and Virat have continued to maintain connections with India.
Virat’s cricket commitments require him to travel for tournaments and matches, while Anushka remains involved in professional projects.
Their move therefore represents a change in their primary residence rather than a complete separation from India.
Why the Revelation Is Drawing Attention Now
Dr Nene’s comments were originally made during a podcast conversation, but the remarks have resurfaced and gained renewed attention after reports and public sightings confirmed the couple’s London-based lifestyle.
The comments offer an insight into a decision that had been the subject of considerable speculation among fans for several years.
A Decision Driven by Family
Ultimately, Nene’s account presents the London move as a decision driven primarily by privacy, family and the desire for a normal childhood for Vamika and Akaay.
For two of India’s biggest celebrities, living away from the constant spotlight may offer the freedom to enjoy everyday life without every public appearance becoming a news event.