Navya Naveli Nanda, granddaughter of Bollywood icons Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan, and daughter of Shweta Bachchan Nanda and Nikhil Nanda, is charting her own course, drawing inspiration from the strong women in her family. Unlike her brother, Agastya Nanda, who has ventured into acting, Navya is pursuing her passion for business and social impact.
In a recent interview with Elle India, Navya opened up about her close relationship with her mother and grandmother, expressing her admiration for their strength and inspiring qualities. She stated that she hopes to become the kind of woman they are. Navya emphasized that both her Nani (maternal grandmother) Jaya and her mother, Shweta, have instilled in her the importance of balancing strength with vulnerability, a valuable lesson she carries with her. "Both mom and Nani have never shied away from being who they are: confident and bold," she expressed. "They embody the kind of woman I would hope to shape into one day". Navya also admires the quality of being 'unapologetically vocal' from her grandmother, Jaya Bachchan.
Despite her family's deep roots in the film industry, Navya has chosen a different path. Growing up in Delhi, she was surrounded by conversations about business, particularly her father's work in the tractor industry, which sparked her interest in entrepreneurship. "I never wanted to join films; I wanted to be an entrepreneur," she stated. Navya is currently enrolled in IIM Ahmedabad's Blended Post Graduate Programme (BPGP) for an MBA, further solidifying her commitment to the business world. She sees this as a way to blend her passion for social entrepreneurship with her business knowledge.
Navya is also deeply involved in her family business, particularly in the tractor and agri-machinery sector with Escorts Kubota, a company her father oversees. However, her ambitions extend beyond the family enterprise, as she is determined to build something of her own. In addition to her business pursuits, Navya runs a non-profit organization called Project Naveli, which focuses on women's empowerment through initiatives in education, healthcare, and entrepreneurship. The organization supports over 25,000 women entrepreneurs, many of whom are housewives seeking to start small businesses. Navya emphasizes that Project Naveli is not just about financial support but about creating an ecosystem that empowers women.
When asked about the pressure of living up to her family's legacy, Navya shared that she doesn't feel burdened by it. Instead, she takes immense pride in her heritage. "I carry each and every aspect of it with pride, and more importantly, responsibility," she said. "All I do is to make my family proud". Navya also addressed concerns about her grandmother's outspoken nature, defending Jaya and emphasizing her authenticity. "Every time she's spoken – professionally or personally, that's her. She's the most real person I've met," Navya affirmed.
While Navya carves her own path in the business and social impact sectors, she remains close to her family, often sharing glimpses of their bond on social media. She also shares a podcast with her mother and grandmother called 'What The Hell Navya'. Navya's decision to pursue her own aspirations, while honoring her family's legacy, showcases her determination to make a meaningful contribution to society.
