Navya Nanda Shares Why She Chose Entrepreneurship Over Bollywood: 'I Am Really Proud To Belong...'

Navya Naveli Nanda, granddaughter of legendary actors Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan, has steadily made a name for herself — not in films, but in the world of entrepreneurship and social impact.

Navya Nanda talks about being inspired by mom Shweta and nani Jaya Bachchan.

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Navya Naveli Nanda, granddaughter of legendary actors Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan, has steadily made a name for herself — not in films, but in the world of entrepreneurship and social impact. While she has carved out her own professional path with remarkable achievements, on the personal front, Navya aspires to embody the same resilience and strength she sees in her mother, Shweta Bachchan Nanda, and grandmother, Jaya Bachchan.

Navya Nanda on taking inspiration from nani Jaya Bachchan

In a recent conversation with Elle India, Navya opened up about the close bond she shares with the two women in her life and how their example has helped shape her identity.

She shared, “Both Mom and Nani have never shied away from being who they are: confident and bold. They embody the kind of woman I would hope to shape into one day." Navya credited them for teaching her how to blend strength with vulnerability — a quality she deeply values.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Navya on choosing entrepreneurship over Bollywood

Talking about her decision to stay away from the film industry despite her iconic lineage, Navya revealed that her interest in business was sparked early on. Growing up in Delhi, she spent much of her childhood listening to her father talk about business, particularly tractors. “I never wanted to join films; I wanted to be an entrepreneur,” she explained.

When asked whether she ever felt pressured to live up to her maternal family’s legacy in cinema, Navya said she never viewed her background or identity as a burden. “Nothing about my background or identity would ever be a burden. In fact, I am really proud to belong where I do,” she said with conviction.

About Navya Nanda

A graduate of Fordham University in New York, Navya is the co-founder of Aara Health, a healthcare initiative focused on improving women’s health and hygiene, particularly in rural areas. She also hosts the successful podcast What The Hell Navya, which brings together three generations of the Bachchan family — Jaya, Shweta, and Navya — to discuss pressing issues faced by women today. The podcast has completed two seasons and gained wide appreciation for its honest and often humorous conversations.

In addition to her entrepreneurial pursuits, Navya has enrolled in the prestigious Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad, where she is currently pursuing a Blended Post Graduate Programme in MBA. She also spearheads her NGO Project Naveli, aimed at promoting gender equality, and actively contributes to her father's business operations.

From boardrooms to classrooms and podcast studios, Navya Naveli Nanda continues to inspire by walking a path of her own — one defined by purpose, passion, and pride in her roots.