Why did Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli move to London? Shriram Nene reveals

Dr Shriram Nene recalled Anushka Sharma telling him that she and Virat Kohli were considering London because life in India had become too intrusive. His remarks revisited the couple's move as an effort to find privacy and a more ordinary upbringing for their children.

In Short

• Nene said public attention can isolate celebrities and disrupt ordinary family moments
• He said constant selfie requests can turn meals and outings intrusive
• Nene described Kohli as a decent human being he respects greatly

Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli have largely kept their family life away from the spotlight, and their move to London appears to have given them the privacy they value. A 2025 conversation involving Madhuri Dixit’s husband, Dr Shriram Nene, offers some insight into why the couple considered making the city their home.

Speaking to YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia, Dr Nene recalled meeting Kohli and Anushka and said he had “a lot of respect” for the cricketer. He described Kohli as “just a decent human being” before recalling a conversation he had with Anushka about the couple’s plans to move to London.

According to Dr Nene, Anushka and Kohli felt that the constant attention they received in India made it difficult to enjoy their success and live normally. He said the couple wanted to raise their children away from the intense public scrutiny that often follows them.

"Anything they do, you do, we do attracts attention and so we almost become isolated," Nene said.

The conversation then turned to the challenges of being recognised in public. Nene said that even though he generally enjoys interacting with people, constant requests for selfies can sometimes become difficult to manage.

"I get along with everyone, and I'm bindaas, but even there, sometimes it becomes challenging. It's always a selfie moment sometimes," he said.

Nene spoke about how celebrity culture can affect ordinary moments. He clarified that he did not see such attention as necessarily negative, but said it could eventually become intrusive, particularly during private moments.

"They're lovely people and they just want to raise their kids normally," Nene said while talking about Anushka and Virat.

Anushka and Virat's life in London

Anushka and Kohli married in an intimate ceremony in Italy in December 2017. They welcomed their daughter Vamika in 2021 and son Akaay in 2024.

The family has since been seen in London on several occasions. Their decision to spend more time there has also meant that they can maintain a relatively private family life away from the intense attention they often attract in India.

Dr Nene's comments also comes from his own experience of living in the US and later returning to India.

What Dr Shriram Nene said about anonymity

Dr Nene also reflected on the difference between life in the US and India. He said one of the things he valued about living in America was anonymity and independence, while life in India came with stronger cultural and social ties.

He said anonymity was one of the biggest challenges after returning to India, particularly when it came to being able to behave like ordinary people.

Dr Nene has been married to Madhuri Dixit since 1999. The couple lived in Denver for several years before returning to India in 2011. They have two sons, Arin and Raayan.

Anushka Sharma's work

Anushka has largely stayed away from acting since Zero, which was released in 2018. She later completed Chakda Xpress, in which she plays former Indian cricketer Jhulan Goswami, although the film is yet to be released.

She also stepped down from her production company, Clean Slate Filmz, in 2022.

For Kohli and Anushka, London has increasingly become a place where they can spend time with their children away from the constant attention that comes with being one of India's most recognisable celebrity couples.

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