Fact Check: Is Sreeleela Dating Cricketer Tilak Varma? Actress’ Mother Dr Swarnalatha Reveals the Truth
There is buzz in town about yet another relationship between an actress and a cricketer. Recent rumours circulating on social media regarding a romantic relationship between Tollywood star Sreeleela and Mumbai Indians cricketer Tilak Varma have been officially debunked by the actress’ mother and her PR team. Know the truth.
There is buzz in town about yet another relationship between an actress and a cricketer. It is none other than South actress Sreeleela, who is rumoured to be dating Mumbai Indians cricketer Tilak Varma. Is it true? The rumours first began after both stars were reportedly spotted at the Sri Venkateswara Swamy Temple during the same timeframe in December 2025. Further, Sreeleela's mother, Dr Swarnalatha, was reportedly seen at the Dharamshala cricket stadium, watching a Mumbai Indians match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. Some hearsay claimed that a member of Sreeleela's team was spotted wearing a "Tilak" jersey at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai during a T20 match. Our Fact Check has revealed the truth about the relationship. Shehnaaz Gill Professes Love for Her Favourite IPL Team, Says ‘Dil RCB Main Hai’.
Sreeleela and Tilak Varma Dating Rumours and Viral Video ‘Proof’
The speculation gained momentum after fans online compiled several coincidental "clues" about Sreeleela and Tilak Varma’s relationship through social media. A clip of Tilak Varma walking through a hotel lobby as teammate Suryakumar Yadav teased him by saying he is "in love" went viral, after which fans immediately linked it to Sreeleela, although no name was mentioned. The said video has now been deleted from Reddit.
A user on X tweeted that the dating rumours were the handiwork of Sreeleela’s PR. The tweet also claims that Sreeleela had followed Tilak Varma, who allegedly removed her as a follower on social media. The user tweeted: “>Sreeleela followed Tilak Varma >Her PR team spread the rumours of dating >Tilak varma got to know about it later >Tilak varma blocked her and removed her from the followers list. Chad behaviour Tilak Varma, That's how cricketers need to treat distraction by not giving attention to mid actresses.” Take a look at the tweet.
Tweet Claiming Sreeleela and Tilak Varma Drama - See Post:
>Sreeleela followed Tilak Varma
>Her PR team spread the rumours of dating
>Tilak varma got to know about it later
>Tilak varma blocked her and removed her from the followers list.
Chad behaviour Tilak Varma, That's how cricketers need to treat distraction by not giving attention… pic.twitter.com/gJ73sLskDF
— Courageous (@CourageousRo) May 17, 2026
Fact Check: Clarification From Sreeleela’s Mother
Sreeleela’s mother Dr Swarnalatha revealed to Deccan Chronicle that there was no truth to the rumours of her daughter dating the Indian cricketer. She said in her statement to DC, “Rumours linking actress Sreeleela with cricketer Tilak Varma are “completely false and baseless. We do not know how such stories emerge. There is not even an iota of truth in reports.”
Sreeleela, who has just finished her MBBS to become a medical doctor, is currently focussed on pursuing her post-graduation and her flourishing acting career, as per her mother. The actress is not thinking of a relationship or marriage right now, she said. “She is preparing for her NEET-PG examination scheduled in June. She has another five to six years before such personal matters,” Dr Swarnalatha said. How South Star Sreeleela Completed Her MBBS at DY Patil University While Filming Blockbusters With Pawan Kalyan and Kartik Aaryan.
As for the stadium appearances by both mother and daughter, Dr Swarnalatha said, “Both were coincidences. Social media unfairly spins stories from unrelated events.” Moreover, her PR stated that the two stars have never met or spoken to each other.
However, the team wearing a “Tilak” T-shirt, that part could not be verified. The claim by a netizen that Sreeleela had followed Tilak Varma and that he removed her and blocked her, also could not be independently verified.
Sreeleela’s Upcoming Movies
After her films in the South, Sreeleela will soon be seen in her highly-anticipated Bollywood debut, Tu Meri Zindagi Hai. In the film directed by Anurag Basu, she stars opposite actor Kartik Aaryan. She was recently seen in Pawan Kalyan’s Ustaad Bhagat Singh and has quite a few South films lined-up.
Dr Swarnalatha added that similar link-up stories were being created about Sreeleela and Kartik Aryan. She revealed to DC, “Kartik Aaryan’s mother (Dr Mala Tiwari) and I are both gynaecologists, and meet professionally because of our medical background. Unfortunately, people began linking Sreeleela and Kartik as well.”
Tilak Varma Cricketing Career
As for Tilak Varma, he was recently named captain of the India A squad for the ODI tri-series in Sri Lanka in June 2026 with Sri Lanka A and Afghanistan A. He continues his good performance for the IPL team of Mumbai Indians.
Fact check
Cricketer Tilak Varma and actress Sreeleela were in a relationship.
Sreeleela’s mother Dr Swarnalatha has refuted the rumours, saying her daughter is currently concentrating on studying for her PG in medicine, and also on her acting career.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 18, 2026 02:09 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
