Anushka Sharma Opens Up for First Time on Parenting With Virat Kohli: 'There's So Much Pressure...'

Anushka Sharma made a rare public appearance in Mumbai on Wednesday, attending a brand event where she opened up about the challenges of parenting alongside her cricketer husband, Virat Kohli. Speaking at Slurrp Farm’s YES Moms & Dads event, the actress addressed the pressure parents face to be “perfect,” sharing candid insights into her parenting approach with their children, Vamika and Akaay.

“There is so much pressure to be this perfect parent,” Anushka admitted. “But we’re not perfect, and that’s okay. We’ll complain about things, and it’s fine to admit it in front of our kids, so they know we’re flawed.” She emphasised that admitting to mistakes helps ease the pressure children feel, saying, “Imagine kids thinking, ‘My parents are like this,’ and having to live up to those expectations.”

Anushka also shared how her social life has evolved since becoming a parent. “I can only hang out with people who do the same, and that’s very few,” she joked. “People invite us to dinner, and I’m like… you’re probably eating a snack at the time we eat dinner,” she said with a laugh, acknowledging the lifestyle shift that comes with raising children.

The actress also touched upon the values she and Virat aim to instill in their children by leading through action rather than instruction. “My daughter is very young, and I don’t think I can teach her anything directly. It’s more about how we live our lives. Are we showing gratitude to others in our daily life? That’s what children learn from,” Anushka said. She believes that children pick up on their surroundings and follow what they observe. “For them to learn gratitude, they have to see you being grateful.”

She also noted that it’s essential to let children be themselves and gently guide them when necessary. “If you see them being disrespectful, they’re just being kids. You can gently show them the way,” Anushka explained. “Living by example is the only way to ensure they soak in the good things from their environment.”

On the professional front, Anushka was last seen in the film Zero (2018) with Shah Rukh Khan. She is now awaiting the release of Chakda Xpress, a biopic based on the life of Indian cricketer Jhulan Goswami.