A recent incident has stirred up quite the buzz on social media surrounding Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma's son, Akaay. On November 24, 2024, fans believed they caught their first glimpse of the young boy when they spotted what appeared to be him standing behind Sharma during a public outing. Excited fans rushed to share the photo, celebrating the moment and expressing their joy at seeing the couple's child. This innocent excitement quickly turned to confusion, as it was soon clarified by none other than Kohli's sister, Bhawna Kohli Dhingra, who stepped forward to dispel the rumors.
Bhawna took to her social media to address the mix-up directly, stating, "Have been seeing Virat and Anushka’s friend’s daughter being mistaken for Akaay on social media. The child in the picture is not our Akaay. Thank you." This statement came as somewhat of a letdown to fans who were overjoyed at what they thought was their first sighting of the young boy.
For many, the mix-up underscored how protective Kohli and Sharma have been of their children's privacy, particularly since the birth of Akaay earlier this year. The couple has been adamant about keeping their family life away from the prying eyes of the public and the media.
Back on February 15, 2024, Anushka and Virat joyfully announced the arrival of their son. Their announcement was heartfelt and steeped in the emotion distinctive to new parents. The couple wrote on their social media, "With abundant happiness and our hearts full of love, we are pleased to inform everyone about the arrival of our baby boy Akaay, Vamika’s little brother! We seek your blessings and good wishes during this beautiful time. We request you to kindly respect our privacy at this time. Love and gratitude, Virat & Anushka."
After the birth, Anushka continued to maintain their desire for privacy. Her decorum on social media has reflected how important it is for them to keep their children out of the spotlight. Even when she did share glimpses of her family life, she often did so with careful attention to their faces—typically hiding their faces with heart emojis to protect their identities.
On one especially sweet occasion, Anushka shared a picture on her husband’s birthday showcasing Virat holding Akaay and their daughter, Vamika. But as usual, their children’s faces were covered by thoughtful symbols, keeping their identities protected.
The couple's choice to raise Akaay and Vamika away from the limelight resonates with their long-standing commitment to ensuring their kids have as normal of a childhood as possible. This approach was articulated by the couple during previous interviews where they discussed the difficulty of raising children under the continuous gaze of the public. They have asserted this position repeatedly, emphasizing their belief it's important for kids to dictate their level of public involvement when they are older.
Indeed, the couple seems to be doing their utmost to shield their children from unwanted attention, driven largely by their experiences as high-profile celebrities. Kohli and Sharma have openly expressed their concerns about the pressures associated with public scrutiny and are determined not to allow their children to face those challenges at such tender ages.
Despite the recent mix-up surrounding the viral photo of the alleged Akaay, the couple’s past actions reflect their commitment to maintaining the sanctity of their private life. While it may bring some initial excitement to fans, it’s evident they are focused on providing their children with the utmost respect and normalcy. Kohli and Sharma’s mantra of keeping their kids out of the limelight seems to be steadfast, and it remains clear from recent events and their public statements just how dedicated they are to this vision of family life.
Fans may continue to share their enthusiasm about the lives of their favorite celebrities, but for Kohli and Sharma, ensuring their children live free from the pressures of fame remains their top priority. Amid the fluctuations of celebrity culture and public fascination, their protective approach to parenting speaks volumes about their values and desires for their family’s future.