Anushka Sharma, Wimbledon and the outrage over a double chin—Why it’s time to let women and her be

Dubai: There are few things in life that should be entirely acceptable without public scrutiny: developing a double chin, looking mildly uninterested at Wimbledon, and—brace yourselves—being a mother of two. But apparently, none of these apply if you’re Anushka Sharma.

The Bollywood actress, producer, and full-time human being cannot so much as blink at Centre Court without the internet descending into a frenzy. She’s either “too glam,” “too grumpy,” or worst of all—“too normal.” If she turns up to cheer for husband and cricketing icon Virat Kohli, trolls blame her for his poor form.

If she skips the match, they somehow still fault her for not being the ever-doting, camera-ready spouse. It’s a lose-lose situation, except the only thing losing here is our collective common sense.

Let’s get this straight. Anushka is not your court-side Barbie doll. She’s a hands-on mother (of two, in case you missed that memo), an entrepreneur, and a woman who is allowed to have a resting face, a relaxed chin, or—shock horror—an off day. Why is that still so revolutionary?

Take Hugh Grant, for example. The man literally nodded off at Wimbledon and sparked a wave of headlines. Yes, he was lightly roasted online—but also charmingly let off the hook because, well, “that’s just Hugh.” He even once admitted he only shows up for the strawberries and bubbly, and the world chuckled in response. Can you imagine if Anushka had said the same? There would’ve been a virtual mob, full-blown moral outrage, and multiple op-eds dissecting her attitude, outfit, and oxygen intake.

Women, especially those in the public eye, are expected to age gracefully—provided they do it invisibly. Heaven forbid they show up looking like regular humans with working metabolisms and visible fatigue. You're either “trying too hard” or “letting yourself go.” There is no middle ground. No room for nuance. Or rest. Or Wimbledon boredom.

The real problem? We’re still addicted to policing women’s bodies and expressions. Heaven forbid a woman isn’t dressed to slay, isn’t smiling on cue, or dares to appear unbothered. If her blazer doesn’t match the vibe, or her ponytail isn’t perky enough, she’s suddenly trending for all the wrong reasons.

So no, Anushka doesn’t need to grin for your validation. She doesn’t owe you high-octane glamour every time she walks out the door. And she certainly doesn’t need your hot takes on her chin, her outfit, or her facial expressions during a tennis match.

Let the woman live. Let her yawn. Let her wear what she wants. And maybe—just maybe—let’s save our energy for something that actually matters. Like, say, the price of strawberries and bubbly.