Nene on the Kohli-Sharma move

Dr Shriram Nene, the husband of actor Madhuri Dixit, has spoken about why cricketer Virat Kohli and actor Anushka Sharma chose to move to London. In a conversation with YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia, Nene recalled a discussion he had with Anushka about the couple's decision to live abroad, saying they felt they could not fully enjoy their success in India because of the intense public attention.

"They were thinking about moving to London because they can't enjoy their success (here)," Nene said, as reported by The Times of India. He added that the couple's every action attracts attention, which can make them feel isolated.

Nene, who is married to one of Hindi cinema's most recognised stars, explained that constant recognition can make routine activities challenging for celebrity families. He noted that while he is comfortable interacting with people, repeated requests for selfies can become intrusive, particularly during private family moments.

"I get along with everyone; I'm bindaas (carefree). But even then, it becomes challenging. There's always a selfie moment. Not in a bad way, but there comes a time when it becomes intrusive, when you're at dinner or lunch, and you have to be polite about it," Nene said, according to The Indian Express. "For my wife, it becomes an issue. But (Anushka and Virat) are lovely people, and they just want to raise their kids normally."

Nene also spoke warmly of Kohli, saying, "We've met him multiple times; he's just a decent human being," as quoted by The Times of India.

Life in London

Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli have been based in London with their two children, Vamika and Akaay. The couple have been photographed several times in the city with their children, as noted by The Indian Express.

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

Anushka has largely stayed away from acting since her 2018 filmZero She subsequently completed work onChakda Xpress, which has not yet been released, and stepped away from her production company, Clean Slate Filmz, in 2022.

Nene's own experience with fame

In the same interview with Ranveer Allahbadia, Nene reflected on his own experiences of moving from the United States to India and the challenges of living with a famous spouse. He was asked whether he was happier in India than in America.

"I can't say happier. It is different. There you got anonymity and independence and a lot of it was self-driven. In India, I have a culture and we have a lot of ties, so it is different," he said, as reported by The Indian Express.

Nene described anonymity as one of the biggest things he missed after returning to India. "The main challenge was anonymity. To be able to behave like normal people, and the lucky thing is we both enjoy that, less so in India to a great degree, but we are very grateful for everything and the people," he said.

Discussing the impact of being married to one of Hindi cinema's biggest stars, Nene said, "Well, that was the case in America also. Also, I don't know her like that. She is my wife and partner."

A marriage of kismat

Nene also spoke about his marriage to Madhuri Dixit, which he described as something neither of them had expected. The couple married in 1999 and spent several years living in Denver before returning to India in 2011. They have two sons, Arin and Raayan.

"We look after each other. I never knew her past history and she didn't know mine. We came from different worlds, but at the same time, we came from the same region, Maharashtra, with the same background. Neither of us thought it would happen. It was kismat, and it has been the most amazing thing in my life," Nene said, as quoted by The Indian Express.