"Acting was never something I wanted to do."
Navya Naveli Nanda, granddaughter of Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan, recently shared insights into her experience studying at the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM-A).
The 27-year-old, who previously completed her education abroad, is currently pursuing a blended MBA programme at one of India’s most prestigious business schools.
Navya described the transition back to academic life as both demanding and fulfilling.
She said the programme, which combines online and on-campus learning over two years, has challenged her in ways she hadn’t anticipated.
“It’s a two-year full-time blend of on-campus and online. Of course, it has been tough… anyone who’s done an MBA, especially from IIM-A, can attest to that,” she said.
Reflecting on her first year, Navya revealed that returning to exams after six years away from formal assessments took some adjustment.
However, she credited the experience with shaping her personal growth and teaching her valuable lessons beyond academics.
“The best part for me has been the friendships. What I’ve learnt from my batch-mates is far more than what I’ve learnt inside the classroom,” she added.
When news of her admission broke, Navya faced backlash online, with critics questioning her choice to study in India rather than abroad again.
Some also speculated about nepotism influencing her acceptance.
However, IIM-A professor Promila Agarwal publicly defended her, asserting that Navya’s admission was entirely merit-based.
“Even if people want to discredit her interview and CV, she, dammit, cleared the cut-off,” the professor wrote on X, dismissing the criticism.
Beyond academia, Navya balances several ventures that reflect her multifaceted interests.
She is the founder of Project Naveli, a non-profit initiative focused on gender equality, and the co-founder of Aara Health, a women’s health tech company.
Additionally, she plays an active role in her family’s agri-machinery business, Escorts Kubota, and hosts the popular podcast What The Hell Navya alongside her mother, Shweta Bachchan Nanda and grandmother Jaya Bachchan.
Despite her close ties to one of Bollywood’s most influential families, Navya made it clear that she has no desire to join the film industry.
“No, never. I always get asked this… and I don’t know why,” she said.
“My parents always told me not to do something unless I’m 100% passionate or confident about it. Acting was never something I wanted to do.”
Navya shared that her true fascination lies in the business world, particularly the work done by her father, Nikhil Nanda, in the agricultural sector.
“I was always fascinated by tractors, my dad and what he was doing. When he’d come back from work, I’d talk to him about it. That to me was far more exciting,” she explained.
Although she has no plans to act, Navya expressed deep admiration for films and music.
“I do enjoy watching movies. I love listening to music. One of my secret talents is that I know the hook steps for any song possible,” she said with a smile.
“I love and respect the medium for what it is, but my interests and passion lie somewhere else.”
In an earlier interview with the Hindustan Times, Navya echoed similar sentiments, emphasising that she also comes from a strong business background.
“At the end of college, I realised that this is what I wanted to do,” she said.
Balancing her studies, entrepreneurship, and family business commitments, Navya continues to carve her own path outside Bollywood.
Her decision to pursue an MBA at IIM-A, despite public scrutiny, highlights her determination to build a meaningful career grounded in purpose and self-discovery.
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