Agastya Nanda prepares to carry the Bachchan legacy forward, details here

After Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan, Abhishek and Aishwarya, the third generation of actors from the Bachchan clan is beginning their ascent into stardom. Having been signed on by Zoya Akhtar to play the male lead in her indigenous adaptation of the Archie comic universe opposite Sridevi’s younger daughter Khushi Kapoor and Shah Rukh Khan’s daughter Suhana Kapoor, Agastya Nanda, son of Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan’s daughter Shweta, is being fully tutored into the art of facing the camera. Luckily Agastya is a fast learner. Says a source close to the Bachchan family, “Neither of Agastya’s parents is actors. So he is leaning on his grandparents and his Maamu(Uncle) Abhishek Bachchan for guidance. Agastya has always been a big fan of his grandfather and the Archie comics. So he has the advantage of being a part of the cinematic universe that he will soon occupy officially, even before facing the camera.” One hears Agastya is already getting several offers from the biggest banners. But he wants to wait until Zoya’s film crystallizes before thinking of another project. [caption id=“attachment_10288001” align=“alignnone” width=“640”]  Shahrukh Khan’s daughter Suhana.[/caption] Zoya Akhtar’s Archies adaptation is not the only film designed to carry forward Bollywood’s distinguished dynastic tradition. From what one hears, Saif Ali Khan and Amrita Singh’s second-born Ibrahim (eldest born Sara is already an actor) is all set for his screen debut which is likely to happen in 2022 (pandemic permitting). Saif wants Ibrahim to continue with his studies. But Ibrahim is keen to get into his parents’ and sisters’ profession. This is why we now see the otherwise-shy Ebrahim at so many film parties and why he is suddenly so active on social media. One hears of Karan Johar being especially keen to launch Ebrahim’s career. But father Saif would rather have his son find his way into the movies. In an interview with me some time ago Saif had spoken about Ebrahim, “Yes, he seems prepared. But I think he should wait a little longer. He’s looking good. And he’s a very gentle soul. He’s secure in his space and has a sense of humour.” Ebrahim’s sister while speaking to me on her brother’s career plan had once said, “He does plan to be an actor. But as I’ve discovered, it’s an easy dream to have but a very difficult dream to achieve. But I feel Ebrahim has the talent. Once he enacted a monologue for my mother and me. I was holding the sheet of paper on which his lines were written. I couldn’t look at the sheet, I was busy looking at his eyes. They were so emotive.”   Chunky Pandey’s son Ahaan Pandey is also expected to be launched in 2022 by family-friend Karan Johar. Chunky’s daughter Ananya has already been launched in 2019. Govinda’s son Yashvardhan Ahuja is also being groomed for stardom by producer Sajid Nadiadwala who launched Suniel Shetty’s son Ahan in 2021’s Tadap.   Both Govinda’s daughter Tina and Suniel Shetty’s daughter Athiya have unsuccessfully launched as actors some years ago. Sometimes one can gag on one’s golden spoon. [caption id=“attachment_10288011” align=“alignnone” width=“640”]  Twinkle Khanna with son Aarav[/caption] Interestingly Akshay Kumar’s son Aarav has no interest in acting. He wants to be a chef. Aamir Khan’s daughter Ira and son Junaid are interested in filmmaking rather than acting. Shah Rukh’s son Aryan too wants to be a film director. The boy has made a short film. Those close to Shah Rukh who have seen it feel Aryan has potential. But for now, Shah Rukh has decided to keep his son away from the entertainment industry. Shah Rukh Khan feels star kids are too envied to be deemed enviable. And he may be right.

Subhash K Jha is a Patna-based journalist. He has been writing about Bollywood for long enough to know the industry inside out.