Rediff.com« Back to articlePrint this article

Agastya Nanda, Ibrahim Ali Khan... Meet Next Gen Bollywood

January 21, 2022 11:21 IST

IMAGE: Agastya Nanda with Zoya Akhtar. Photograph: Kind courtesy Shweta Bachchan Nanda/Instagram

After Amitabh-Jaya and Abhishek-Aishwarya, the third generation of the Bachchan clan is beginning its ascent into stardom.

Having been signed on by Zoya Akhtar to play the male lead in her adaptation of the Archie comics 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 tutored into the art of facing the camera.

And he's a fast learner.

"Neither of Agastya's parents are actors, so he is leaning on his grandparents and his Mamu (Uncle) Abhishek Bachchan for guidance," a source tells Subhash K Jha.

"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.”

 

IMAGE: Ibrahim Ali Khan with elder sister Sara Ali Khan. Photograph: Kind courtesy Sara Ali Khan/Instagram

But he is not the only one carrying forward Bollywood's dynastic tradition.

From what one hears Amrita Singh and Saif Ali Khan's son Ibrahim is all set for his screen debut, which may happen in 2022, pandemic permitting.

Apparently, Saif wants Ibrahim to continue with his studies, but the young lad is keen on becoming an actor.

This is why we now see the otherwise-shy Ibrahim at so many film parties and why he is suddenly so active on social media. One hears of Karan Johar being especially keen on launching Ibrahim's career.

Daddy Saif would rather have his son find his own way into the movies.

In an interview with me some time ago, Saif had said, "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 is secure in his space and has a sense of humour."

Ibrahim's elder sister Sara Ali Khan 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 one to achieve. I feel Ebrahim has the talent. Once he enacted a monologue for my mother and me. I was holding a 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."

IMAGE: Ahaan Panday. Photograph: Kind courtesy Ahaan Pandey/Instagram

After launching Chunky Pandey's daughter Ananya Panday in 2019's Student Of The Year 2, KJo may also launch Chunky's nephew Ahaan Panday.

Govinda's son Yashvardhan Ahuja is being groomed 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 were unsuccessfully launched as actors some years ago.

Interestingly, Twinkle Khanna and Akshay Kumar's son Aarav has no interest in acting. He wants to be a chef.

Aamir Khan's son Junaid and daughter Ira are interested in film-making, rather than acting.

Shah Rukh's son Aryan wants to be a film director, and has already made a short film.

SUBHASH K JHA