Carrying the weight of two iconic legacies—the Bachchans and the Kapoors—would crush most newcomers, but Agastya Nanda seems unfazed. In a recent interview, the young actor, who debuted in Ikkis, revealed a surprisingly grounded perspective on his famous family ties.
When Ikkis director Sriram Raghavan asked if being part of "legendary" families felt like a burden, Agastya’s response was refreshingly honest. "I don’t feel that pressure at all," he said. "My surname is Nanda because I’m my father’s son first. My focus is on making him proud—that’s the legacy I carry." But here’s where it gets controversial: In an industry obsessed with dynasties, Agastya’s refusal to lean on his family name feels almost rebellious. Is this humility, or is he downplaying a privilege most can only dream of?
Agastya, son of Shweta Bachchan Nanda and Nikhil Nanda, is the grandson of Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan, and nephew to Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai. On his father’s side, he’s the grandson of Raj Kapoor, Bollywood’s original showman. Yet, he insists, "I admire my family’s work, but I don’t think I can ever be them. It’s not worth thinking about." And this is the part most people miss: By distancing himself from comparisons, Agastya is carving his own path—a rare move in a family where every step is scrutinized.
Meanwhile, his sister Navya Nanda has been fiercely supportive, sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses of Ikkis on Instagram. "This will always be the most special character I got to play," she captioned a photo of Agastya and Sriram Raghavan on set. The film, based on the life of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal—a war hero martyred at 21 during the 1971 India-Pakistan War—also marks Dharmendra’s final screen appearance. Alongside Agastya and Jaideep Ahlawat, Ikkis is as much a tribute to courage as it is a launchpad for Agastya’s career.
Here’s the question that’ll spark debate: Can Agastya truly step out of his family’s shadow, or is he benefiting from a legacy he claims not to own? Let us know in the comments—is his approach admirable, or is he underplaying the advantages of his lineage? One thing’s certain: Agastya Nanda is a name we’ll be hearing more of, whether he likes it or not.
