Agastya Nanda, best known today as the grandson of Amitabh Bachchan, has made a striking statement early in his acting career: “I am neither a Bachchan nor a Kapoor.” This line has sparked discussion across film circles, especially after his big-screen debut in Ikkis (also referred to as 21), where he portrayed Param Vir Chakra awardee Arun Khetrapal.

While the film did not perform strongly at the box office, Agastya’s performance received widespread appreciation. Critics and audiences agreed that his acting showed promise. However, this early success may also have complicated his future choices, making Ikkis both a launchpad and a potential burden.

A debut unlike most star kids

Traditionally, many star kids begin their careers with romantic or light commercial films—names like Rishi Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt, Hrithik Roshan, and Ranbir Kapoor followed that route. Agastya, however, chose a demanding war role for his very first film.

Playing a real-life martyr at just 25 years of age was a risky move, but it paid off in terms of credibility. Any actor portraying Arun Khetrapal is bound to attract attention, and Agastya did so with restraint and sincerity. This made his debut memorable—but also raised expectations sky-high.

Praise, support, and pressure

Veteran actor Dharmendra, who appeared in the film, added further gravitas to Agastya’s launch. The project was also directed by Sriram Raghavan, with strong performances by Jaideep Ahlawat, which helped the film gain critical respect despite modest collections.

Amitabh Bachchan himself openly praised his grandson, expressing pride on social media and even promoting him on the Kaun Banega Crorepati stage. Such backing brought enormous visibility—but also intensified comparisons.

“I am a Nanda”

As gossip and media narratives increasingly framed Agastya as the next Bachchan or Kapoor, he chose to respond with clarity. He stated that his surname is Nanda, not Bachchan or Kapoor, and that his foremost responsibility is to make his father proud.

This remark carried weight. Agastya is the son of Shweta Bachchan Nanda and industrialist Nikhil Nanda. Nikhil Nanda is the CMD of Escorts, a group valued at over ₹42,000 crore, founded by Hari Prasad Nanda and expanded by Rajan Nanda.

On his father’s side, Agastya belongs to one of India’s most influential industrial families. On his mother’s side, he carries the legacy of both the Bachchans and the Kapoors—his grandmother Ritu Nanda was the daughter of Raj Kapoor.

Yet Agastya has consciously chosen not to lean on these cinematic surnames.

A difficult road ahead

By starting with a serious war drama, Agastya has set a high benchmark for himself. The challenge now is to step away from the uniform, explore different genres, and prove that his talent is not limited to one kind of role. If he fails to diversify, Ikkis may end up overshadowing his future work instead of strengthening it.