Anushka has starred in several memorable love stories across Telugu and Tamil cinema.
| Hero | Films | Romantic Vibe | |------|-------|----------------| | Prabhas | Billa, Mirchi, Baahubali | Intense, iconic, cult status | | Allu Arjun | Vedam, Rudhramadevi | Emotional + royal chemistry | | Ravi Teja | Vikramarkudu | Mass + emotional | | Madhavan | Nishabdham | Subtle, mature | | Vikram | Deiva Thirumagal | Tender, unique | anushka shetty sex
For over a decade, the tabloids have linked her to veteran superstar Nagarjuna Akkineni. The rumors began during the filming of Don (2007) and King (2008). They were spotted together at film events; their on-screen pairing in Soggade Chinni Nayana (2016) was electric. Add to this the fact that Nagarjuna’s son, Naga Chaitanya, publicly called Anushka his "favorite co-star" and their families shared warm rapport. Anushka has starred in several memorable love stories
However, the rumor mill hit an ethical wall. Nagarjuna was (and is) married to Amala Akkineni. The gossip persisted largely because Anushka never felt the need to "clear the air." In a 2018 interview, when prodded, she simply said, "I don’t owe my private life to anyone. The only relationship I am in is with my work and my sleep." The Nagarjuna rumor finally died when the actor publicly laughed it off as "creative gossip columns." For over a decade, the tabloids have linked
Off-screen, the Anushka-Prabhas duo is Tollywood’s most beloved "jodi." They have delivered six films together (Billa, Mirchi, Baahubali 1&2, etc.). Their comfort is palpable—a silent language of trust born from years of working together. When Prabhas injured his shoulder during Saaho, it was Anushka who reportedly visited the set. When she was recovering from a health scare, Prabhas was one of the first names she mentioned in her gratitude lists. The industry has long speculated, but both have maintained a dignified silence, letting their screen chemistry speak volumes. They are the epitome of "professional soulmates."
In her few candid interviews, Anushka has hinted at a deep pragmatism. Raised as a devout Catholic (she even considered becoming a nun in her teenage years), she has spoken about relationships with detachment. "I love love," she once said, "But I don’t know if I love the idea of living with love."
Industry insiders suggest she had a brief, serious relationship with a non-film professional in the early 2010s, but when it ended, she channeled all that emotion into her performance as the vengeous Arundhati. Whether that’s fact or folklore is unclear.