The Kapoor and Bachchan families have long been pillars of Indian cinema, each leaving an indelible mark on the industry in their own way. The Kapoors, often referred to as Bollywood’s first family, have produced iconic stars across generations, while the Bachchans have commanded both cinematic excellence and cultural influence for more than five decades. Interestingly, one man stands at the intersection of these two legendary lineages — businessman Nikhil Nanda.
Born in 1974 in Delhi, Nikhil Nanda is the son of the late industrialist Rajan Nanda and Ritu Nanda, herself the daughter of legendary filmmaker and actor Raj Kapoor. That makes Nikhil part of the illustrious Kapoor bloodline, with Rishi Kapoor, Randhir Kapoor, and Rajiv Kapoor as his maternal uncles. His first cousins include some of Bollywood’s most recognizable faces — Ranbir Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Karisma Kapoor, Aadar Jain, and Armaan Jain.
But Nikhil’s ties to Indian cinema didn’t end there. In 1997, he married Shweta Bachchan, daughter of Bollywood megastars Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan, further bridging two of the industry’s most influential families. Through this union, Abhishek Bachchan became his brother-in-law. Nikhil and Shweta have two children — Agastya Nanda, who stepped into acting with his debut film The Archies in 2023, and Navya Naveli Nanda, who has carved her own path as an entrepreneur.
While his family has deep roots in the entertainment world, Nikhil Nanda carved his niche in the business realm. After completing his studies in the United States, he joined his family’s business, Escorts Limited, in 1997 — a time when the company was facing growing competition and market headwinds. He worked closely with his father to stabilize and strengthen the firm, initially as a Director, and was later appointed Joint Managing Director in 2007.
Nikhil eventually took over the leadership as Chairman and Managing Director following his father’s passing in 2013. Under his guidance, Escorts evolved from a domestic player into a global brand. A significant milestone came in 2021, when the company entered into a strategic partnership with Japan’s Kubota Corporation. This collaboration not only boosted the company’s global standing but also led to its rebranding in 2022 as Escorts Kubota Limited, with Nikhil continuing at the helm as CMD.
As of April 2025, Escorts Kubota Limited has achieved a market capitalization exceeding $4.1 billion (approximately ₹36,000 crore) and reported annual revenues of $1.1 billion (around ₹9,200 crore) for the financial year 2024. These figures highlight Nikhil Nanda’s vision and leadership, which have successfully steered the company through shifting markets and competitive landscapes.
Nikhil Nanda’s story is a unique blend of two worlds — the glamour of Bollywood and the rigor of Indian industry — making him a central figure in both the business world and the country’s cinematic lore.
