Emerging actor Agastya Nanda, who recently stepped into the cinematic spotlight with his theatrical debut in 'Ikkis', has made a clear statement about his famous lineage. Despite being the grandson of Amitabh Bachchan and having deep roots in the Kapoor family, Nanda insists on carving his own identity, firmly rooted in his paternal surname.
Defining His Own Legacy: The Nanda Identity
In a candid conversation during an IMDb interactive session with filmmaker Sriram Raghavan and his 'Ikkis' co-star Simar Bhatia, Agastya was directly questioned about the weight of his celebrated ancestry. Raghavan pointedly asked if coming from such illustrious film families on both sides—the Bachchans and the Kapoors—put immense pressure on him.
Agastya dismissed the notion without hesitation. "I don't take that pressure in the slightest because that's not my legacy to own," he stated emphatically. He clarified that his primary identity is tied to his father, Nikhil Nanda. "My surname is Nanda because I am my father's son first. I focus on making him proud—that's the legacy I carry very heavily," he explained.
While expressing admiration for the work of his actor family members, he added, "But I don't think I can ever be them, so it's not even worth spending time thinking about it." This marks a significant declaration from the young actor, who was often introduced in relation to his grandfather and other star relatives around the releases of 'The Archies' and 'Ikkis'.
From Set Banter to Box Office: The 'Ikkis' Journey
The interview took a lighter turn as Agastya and Simar Bhatia reminisced about their time filming 'Ikkis'. Their playful dynamic was on full display, with Bhatia jokingly labeling Agastya a "bully, a liar, and a 'complaint box'".
Agastya teased his co-star about her diligent preparation, comparing her to a "first bencher" in school who would make notes and study lines meticulously. "She would write down what she was going to say the next day, 'This is my line'," he claimed with a laugh.
Simar quickly retorted, "If I am a first bencher, then you are also a bully," and denied his allegation about pre-planning lines. Agastya further joked, "She directs me when you're not looking. During scenes, she would point at me and say, 'Say the line like this.' And when we were dancing, she would tell me, 'Keep your back straight.'"
The film itself, which hit theatres on January 1, features Agastya in the role of Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal. The cast includes veteran actor Dharmendra in a posthumous appearance and Jaideep Ahlawat in a pivotal role. According to box office reports, 'Ikkis' has collected ₹20.72 crore at the domestic box office within its first five days of release.
Roots in Royalty: The Bachchan-Kapoor Connection
Agastya Nanda's connection to Bollywood's first families is undeniable. He is the son of Shweta Bachchan Nanda, the daughter of Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan. His father, Nikhil Nanda, is the son of Ritu Nanda, who was the daughter of the legendary showman Raj Kapoor.
This places him at the unique intersection of two of Hindi cinema's most powerful and influential dynasties. However, his recent statements indicate a conscious effort to step out of these long shadows and establish his own path in the industry, beginning with the name he chooses to own—Nanda.
