The Kapoors and Bachchans are two of India’s most respected film families. While the Kapoors have produced stars for generations, the Bachchans have made a significant impact over the past fifty years. And there’s one man who brought these two families together – a business tycoon who is connected to both Raj Kapoor and Amitabh Bachchan.
Nikhil Nanda’s Family Background
Nikhil Nanda was born in Delhi in 1974 to businessman Rajan Nanda. His mother, Ritu Nanda, was the daughter of the legendary Raj Kapoor and the sister of actors Rishi Kapoor, Randhir Kapoor, and Rajiv Kapoor. This makes Ranbir Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor, Karisma Kapoor, Aadar Jain, and Armaan Jain Nikhil’s first cousins.Marriage to Shweta Bachchan: Bridging Two Iconic Families
In 1997, Nikhil Nanda married Shweta Bachchan, the daughter of Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan, further connecting the Bachchan family. His brother-in-law is Abhishek Bachchan. Nikhil’s son, Agastya, made his acting debut with The Archies in 2023, while his daughter, Navya Naveli, is an entrepreneur.
Reviving the Family Business: Nikhil’s Journey with Escorts Group
After completing his education in the US, Nikhil Nanda joined the family business in 1997. At that time, his grandfather’s company, Escorts Group, was facing tough competition and declining returns. Nikhil worked alongside his father to revive the business. Starting as Director, he was promoted to Joint Managing Director in 2007 and took over as the head of the company after his father’s passing in 2013. Since then, Nikhil has expanded Escorts into a multinational corporation.
A New Era Under Nikhil’s Leadership
In 2021, Escorts Limited partnered with Kubota Corporation. The following year, the company was renamed Escorts Kubota Limited, with Nikhil Nanda serving as Chairman and Managing Director (CMD). As of April 2025, Escorts’ market cap stands at over $4.1 billion (around ₹36,000 crore), with an annual revenue of $1.1 billion (₹9,200 crore) in FY 2024.
