Since tying the knot with cricket superstar Virat Kohli on December 11, 2017, Anushka Sharma’s Bollywood journey has hit a rough patch, with two of her three post-marriage films bombing at the box office and a six-year absence from the big screen. The beloved celebrity couple, parents to daughter Vamika (born 2021) and son Akaay (born 2024), have seen contrasting fortunes: while Kohli’s cricket career soared, Anushka’s cinematic ventures faltered, leaving fans eager for her comeback.

Anushka’s first release after marriage, the horror-thriller Pari (March 2018), grossed just ₹28 crore against a ₹30 crore budget, earning a 6.6/10 IMDb rating but failing commercially. Her next, Sui Dhaaga – Made in India (September 2018), co-starring Varun Dhawan, fared better, collecting ₹79 crore on a ₹30 crore budget and securing a semi-hit status with a 6.8/10 IMDb score. However, Zero (December 2018), featuring Shah Rukh Khan and Katrina Kaif, was a major disappointment, earning ₹90 crore against a ₹200 crore budget and a dismal 5.2/10 IMDb rating. “The high expectations from Zero’s star power didn’t translate to success,” noted film analyst Komal Nahta, pointing to weak storytelling as a key factor.

Even before marriage, Anushka faced setbacks with Phillauri (2017, ₹27 crore) and Jab Harry Met Sejal (2017, ₹64 crore), both flops. Her last theatrical appearance was in 2018, sparking speculation of a permanent retreat from acting. Yet, Anushka has been preparing for a comeback with Chakda ’Xpress, a biopic on cricketer Jhulan Goswami, completed but unreleased due to distribution delays. “She’s passionate about meaningful stories, but luck hasn’t favored her,” said a source close to her production house. As fans await her return, Anushka’s resilience and selective approach signal a potential resurgence, balancing motherhood and her cinematic legacy.