Anushka Sharma Turns 38: Seven Films That Defined a Bollywood Career

Key facts

• Anushka Sharma was born on May 1, 1987, and turns 38 in 2025.
• She debuted in 2008 with Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi opposite Shah Rukh Khan.
• Her film PK (2014) was one of the highest-grossing Bollywood films at the time.
• She won multiple Filmfare Awards during her career.
• Sharma has not appeared in a film since 2018's Pari, after marrying cricketer Virat Kohli.
• Seven of her films are currently available on OTT platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and ZEE5.

A Career in Seven Frames

Anushka Sharma turns 38 on May 1, and her absence from the big screen since 2018 has only sharpened the appetite for her work. Across seven films spanning comedy, drama, horror, and sports, she built a reputation as one of Bollywood's most versatile leading women. Each movie available on streaming platforms today offers a distinct facet of her talent. From the wedding-planning comedy Band Baaja Baarat to the chilling supernatural Pari, Sharma's choices consistently defied easy categorisation.

The Breakout and the Blockbuster

Sharma's debut in Aditya Chopra's Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008) opposite Shah Rukh Khan was an immediate commercial success. She played Taani, a lively young woman married to a simple middle-class man, Surinder Sahni. The film's slow-burn romance and Sharma's natural screen presence marked her arrival. Four years later, she starred in Rajkumar Hirani's PK (2014), a satirical sci-fi that became one of the highest-grossing Indian films of its era. Sharma portrayed Jagat Janani Sahni, or Jaggu, a true friend to an alien (Aamir Khan) stranded on Earth. Her pixie haircut in the film became iconic, and she held her own opposite Khan's commanding performance.

From Sports Drama to Horror: Proving Range

In Ali Abbas Zafar's Sultan (2016), Sharma played Aarfa, a wrestler who inspires Salman Khan's protagonist to reclaim his ambition. The sports drama traces a journey from small-town kite catcher to international champion, with Sharma's character serving as both catalyst and emotional anchor. She then ventured into horror with Pari (2018), playing Rukhsana, a woman chained in a basement who is revealed to be the daughter of a demon. The film blended supernatural terror with emotional depth, and Sharma's performance was widely praised. It remains her last theatrical release before she stepped away from acting.

Thriller and Family Drama: The Critical Hits

NH10 (2015) showcased Sharma's fierce side as Meera, a woman whose road trip with her husband turns into a night of survival after they witness an honour killing. The film was lauded for its raw portrayal of violence and Sharma's powerhouse performance. In Dilwale (2015), she played Farah Ali, the love interest of Ranveer Singh's character, in a star-studded family drama set on a cruise celebrating a 30th anniversary. The film's ensemble cast and high-energy sequences made it a commercial success.

The Romantic Comedies That Defined a Generation

Band Baaja Baarat (2010) remains a milestone in Sharma's filmography. She played Shruti Kakkar, an ambitious Delhi girl who starts a wedding planning business with Bittoo (Ranveer Singh). The film's professional-turned-romantic relationship and its authentic Delhi setting made it a cult favourite. In Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (2016), she portrayed Alizeh, an independent woman recovering from a breakup who forms a deep bond with Ayan (Ranbir Kapoor). The film explored modern love and friendship, with Sharma's character bringing warmth and complexity.

The Working-Class Struggle: Sui Dhaaga

In Sui Dhaaga: Made in India (2018), Sharma played Mamta, a quiet, strong woman who supports her husband Mauji (Varun Dhawan) in starting a tailoring business to escape social humiliation. The film was praised for its realistic depiction of Indian labourers' hardships and Sharma's understated performance.

What Comes Next?

Sharma has not announced any new film projects since Pari. Her marriage to cricketer Virat Kohli in 2017 and the birth of their daughter in 2021 have kept her away from the industry. Yet the enduring popularity of her filmography on streaming platforms suggests that the audience has not forgotten her. As she turns 38, the question remains whether she will return to the screen. Her seven films on OTT stand as both a legacy and a promise of what Bollywood is missing.

The bottom line

• Anushka Sharma's seven-film OTT selection covers comedy, drama, horror, sports, and romance, demonstrating her range.
• Her debut Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi and the blockbuster PK remain among her most-watched films.
• Pari (2018) was her last film before she stepped away from acting post-marriage to Virat Kohli.
• NH10 and Sui Dhaaga earned critical acclaim for their social themes and Sharma's performances.
• The actress won multiple Filmfare Awards and was a consistent box-office draw during her active years.
• Streaming availability of her films keeps her work accessible and fuels calls for her comeback.