The Bachchans and the Kapoors — two legendary families that have shaped the Indian entertainment industry for generations — are also tied together by a powerful business figure: Nikhil Nanda. With family roots that run deep in both cinema and industry, Nanda has not only carried forward a proud legacy but also carved his name as one of India’s most influential businessmen.
A Star-Studded Family Tree
Born in 1974, Nikhil Nanda is the son of Rajan Nanda, a renowned industrialist from Delhi, and Ritu Nanda, daughter of legendary filmmaker Raj Kapoor. This makes Nikhil the first cousin of Bollywood stars Ranbir Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Karisma Kapoor, Aadar Jain, and Armaan Jain.
His personal life further intertwines him with Indian cinema royalty. In 1997, he married Shweta Bachchan, daughter of superstar Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan. Through this union, he became the brother-in-law of actor Abhishek Bachchan and father to Agastya Nanda — who made his Bollywood debut in The Archies (2023) — and Navya Naveli Nanda, a rising entrepreneur.
Turning Around a Struggling Legacy
After completing his studies in the United States, Nikhil joined the family-owned Escorts Group in 1997 — a time when the company was grappling with intense competition and dwindling returns. Starting as Director, he steadily climbed the ranks, becoming Joint Managing Director in 2007.
Following the death of his father in 2013, Nanda assumed full leadership as Chairman and Managing Director. Under his strategic guidance, the firm underwent major transformations, including international collaborations and market diversification.
Escorts Kubota: A Global Transformation
A major milestone came in 2021 when Escorts partnered with Japan’s Kubota Corporation. A year later, the company was officially rebranded as Escorts Kubota Limited, with Nikhil Nanda as its CMD.
As of April 2025, the company’s market capitalization has surged past $4.1 billion (₹36,000 crore), and it recorded an impressive annual revenue of $1.1 billion (around ₹9,200 crore) in FY 2024. Today, Escorts Kubota is recognized as a multinational engineering giant under his leadership.
Conclusion
From Bollywood glamour to boardroom glory, Nikhil Nanda’s journey is a compelling blend of legacy, vision, and execution. With powerful family ties and an even stronger business acumen, he continues to expand his influence across both the industrial and social landscapes of India.
