08 May,2026 01:35 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma
Bengaluru restaurant owner recalls Anushka Sharma-Virat Kohli visit that caused traffic chaos, calls from police station
Bengaluru is a city close to both Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma. While Kohli has long been associated with Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL, Anushka spent her college years in the city.
Back in 2023, the couple visited Bengaluru's iconic eatery Central Tiffin Room, popularly known as CTR. Their visit reportedly sparked massive traffic congestion and crowd chaos outside the restaurant, with the situation becoming so overwhelming that the management later received a call from the local police station.
In an interview with Pinkvilla Biz, CTR director Ganesh Poojari recalled the unforgettable day when the celebrity couple visited the eatery.
The director revealed that he first received a call informing about the celebrity couple's arrival three days prior to their visit. But initially, he dismissed it as fake. He continued receiving calls from what he described as their "local reference who manages VIP movement," but assumed it was merely hype.
A few hours before the visit, he received another call, followed by a final confirmation just minutes before their arrival.
"I got a final call saying they were actually here at the corner and had come in two cars. I still thought it wasn't real, and then two cars pulled up outside the entrance," Ganesh recalled.
The couple had arrived with their families and the staff quickly set up a spot for them which ensured their privacy. Ganesh also revealed that an entire floor of the restaurant was cleared for the couple's visit. During their conversation, Anushka reportedly shared that she knew about the eatery from her college days in Bengaluru.
Recalling his interaction with Anushka, Ganesh said, "She told us she had visited the restaurant years ago and had now come back with her husband and family. She said they had been craving the food for a long time and decided to make time for it."
The couple's arrival news spread like wildfire in the neighbourhood and many fans arrived outside the restaurant to catch a glimpse. Things turned chaotic when the couple prepared to leave. "At that moment, the entire road outside the restaurant was blocked. No vehicles could pass, and people were waiting madly to catch a glimpse of them. When we opened the doors, they couldn't even get into their car," he said.
Following the visit, Ganesh claimed the restaurant received a call from the local police station, asking the management to inform authorities in advance whenever any high-profile celebrity planned to visit.
