In a world where celebrity children often become internet sensations before they can even speak, Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma have chosen to do the exact opposite. Despite being among India's most photographed public figures, the couple has spent the last few years carefully shielding their daughter Vamika and now their son Akaay from the constant glare of cameras and social media. Their decision has sparked curiosity time and again, but it isn't driven by secrecy. Instead, it reflects a parenting philosophy rooted in respect, boundaries and the belief that childhood should belong to children, not the internet.
Through interviews and public statements over the years, the couple has consistently shared values that explain why they have drawn such a firm line between fame and family. These are not arbitrary whims but considered decisions, shaped by their own experiences under the spotlight and their desire to give their children a normal foundation. Here is a breakdown of the parenting rules that define how Virat and Anushka are raising their kids.
They believe privacy is a child's right, not a privilege
When Virat and Anushka welcomed Vamika in January 2021, they made one request to the media and fans: don't photograph or circulate pictures of her face. The appeal wasn't about avoiding attention for themselves. It was about giving their daughter the freedom to grow up without becoming a public figure before she was old enough to understand what that meant. The couple understood that once a child's image is out in the world, it is nearly impossible to reclaim that privacy.
Virat has previously said that he and Anushka want their children to make their own decisions about social media and public life when they are mature enough. Until then, they believe that protecting their privacy is part of their responsibility as parents. This is a stance that challenges the culture of relentless celebrity exposure, where even infants become brand endorsements. By setting this boundary early, they have sent a clear message to their fans and the media: respect their children's autonomy, even if it is not yet theirs to exercise.
They don't want fame to define their children
Children born into celebrity families often inherit public attention they never asked for. Virat and Anushka have made it clear that they don't want that to become their children's identity. Instead of being known as 'Virat Kohli's daughter' or 'Anushka Sharma's son,' they hope Vamika and Akaay will one day be recognised for who they choose to become. This requires a deliberate effort to create distance between their public personas and their family life.
The couple has often spoken about the importance of letting children find their own path. Virat, who became a cricketing icon at a young age, knows the weight of public expectation too well. He has often reflected on how a constant media presence can distort self-perception. By keeping their children away from the spotlight today, the couple is allowing them the space to discover themselves without growing up under constant public scrutiny. They are, in effect, giving their children the luxury of defining themselves on their own terms.
Raising kind children matters more than raising privileged ones
One of Anushka Sharma's most talked-about parenting remarks came when she said she and Virat don't want to 'raise brats.' It was a simple sentence, but it revealed a great deal about how they view parenthood. Despite their success, wealth and influence, the couple has often spoken about wanting their children to understand humility, gratitude and respect. They have emphasised that privilege should never replace values, and that character matters far more than status.
This is a refreshing departure from the excesses often associated with celebrity parenting. Instead of showering their kids with expensive toys and holidays, Virat and Anushka focus on teaching them empathy and grounding. Sources close to the couple have said that they make it a point to talk to Vamika about sharing and caring, even at a young age. They want their children to know that being famous isn't an achievement, it's just a circumstance. This value-driven approach is likely to shape Vamika and Akaay into adults who treat everyone with dignity, regardless of their background.
Parenthood is something they share equally
Neither Virat nor Anushka has ever spoken about parenting as one person's responsibility. Instead, they have consistently described it as a partnership. Whether it is adjusting work schedules, spending quality time with the children or making important family decisions, both have spoken about being equally involved. Virat has even acknowledged that becoming a father changed his priorities, making family time more meaningful than many professional milestones.
For a cricketer whose career revolves around travel and long tours, that shift speaks volumes. Virat has often taken breaks from the game to be present for important family moments, and Anushka has frequently supported him at matches while managing the household. Their relationship is a testament to the idea that parenting is a team effort, not a mother's default duty. This egalitarian approach not only benefits their children but also sets a powerful example for their fans about modern, involved fatherhood.
Home comes before headlines
Although both continue to enjoy hugely successful careers, they have quietly reshaped their lives around family. Virat has often skipped unnecessary public engagements to spend time with his wife and children, while Anushka has significantly reduced her public appearances after becoming a mother. Their choices suggest that success, for them, is no longer measured only by achievements on the field or the screen but also by the time they are able to spend together as a family.
This has meant making tough calls, such as turning down lucrative endorsements and limiting their social media presence. Anushka, who was once very active on Instagram, now posts sparingly, often sharing moments that do not reveal her children's faces. Virat, too, has become more guarded about his personal life, preferring to let his cricket do the talking. By prioritising home life, they are demonstrating that fame can coexist with a strong, stable family unit if boundaries are respected.
They're giving their children something fame often takes away
For most celebrity children, growing up means learning to live with cameras. Virat and Anushka are trying to delay that experience for as long as possible. They understand that once a child's image becomes public, there is little control over where it travels or how it is used. This is why they have consistently requested photographers to refrain from clicking Vamika and Akaay, and have even resorted to shielding their faces with umbrellas or hands when out in public.
Their worry is not unfounded. In India, where paparazzi culture has grown exponentially, several celebrity kids have been subjected to online trolling and unsolicited attention. By drawing clear boundaries now, Virat and Anushka are protecting something increasingly rare in today's digital world: a childhood that unfolds away from strangers' opinions, viral posts and relentless public attention. They are also teaching their children that consent matters and that their bodies and faces are not public property.
The couple's decision to keep their children away from social media also extends to not sharing their names too frequently. While Vamika's name was revealed in a poignant public note, the couple has remained tight-lipped about Akaay since his birth in February 2024. This indicates a continuing commitment to shielding their children from the fickle nature of online fame.
Virat and Anushka have also been careful about the content they consume at home. Reports suggest that they limit screen time and encourage outdoor play and creative activities, steering their children away from the addictive pull of devices. This intentional parenting style is aimed at grounding Vamika and Akaay in reality, not the curated world of likes and comments.
In many ways, their parenting philosophy is surprisingly ordinary despite their extraordinary lives. It isn't built on expensive schools, lavish gifts or picture-perfect family moments. It is built on boundaries, presence, humility and the belief that children deserve the chance to grow before the world starts watching. And perhaps that is precisely why, even years after Vamika's birth, Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma continue to guard her privacy so fiercely. For them, keeping their children away from the spotlight isn't about hiding them. It's about giving them the freedom to choose it or reject it when the decision is finally theirs.
As their children grow, Virat and Anushka have promised to revisit the topic of public exposure. They have said that if Vamika or Akaay ever want to step into the limelight, they will support them. But until then, they will remain the guardians of their children's innocence. In an age where oversharing is the norm, this couple's restraint is both admirable and necessary. They are proving that true love sometimes means protecting someone from the very things the world values most: attention and fame.
Source: MSN News