In a realm often acclaimed for its glitz and legacy, Navya Naveli Nanda emerges as a name that resonates with a different timbre. The young entrepreneur forces a narrative that transcends the lineage of stardom that shadows her surname. In a revealing dialogue with mid-day.com, she shares insights into her journey so far, the launch of the second season of her vodcast ‘What The Hell Navya’, and what binds her to a reality far from the celluloid dreams of her celebrated family.
Navya’s candid discussion throws light on the essence of her work ethic and her quest to bear an individual identity that is independent of her family’s fame. With the second season of ‘What The Hell Navya’, she aligns again with her mother Shweta Bachchan and grandmother Jaya Bachchan, sharing a continuity of conversations that had garnered much attention in their previous venture. Navya emphasizes that her approach to this season is refreshed, informed by a thorough revisit of the first, with a conscious effort to impart novelty and substantiation to their dialogues.
An alumna armed with her academic laurels, Navya after graduating college, took the reins of a non-profit organization. Acknowledging her well-endowed background provided her a smoother sail in the financial seas, she does not dismiss the challenges that accompany her years. Combatting skepticism wired to her youth, Navya’s work bloomed in the realm of serious societal stigmas, such as menstrual hygiene and domestic violence. She drew strength from the demographics, stating, “The majority of India’s population is young, and there is pride in being a young voice that can influence the nation’s trajectory.”
Her entrepreneurial spirit is inherited, a gem nestled within her paternal lineage. Navya recollects her grandmother’s venturesome spirit and her resounding advocacy for financial independence for women – a legacy she nurtures with the endeavors she now helms.
Despite her roots deep in the lores of Indian cinema, she dispels any illusions of unearned stardom. Fame, according to Navya, is the fruit of labor — one her family has reaped through relentless hard work, and she too aspires to earn through her merits. The goals she cherishes are not tied to starry alcoves but grounded commitments to her community.
Contrary to the stereotype of a sheltered CEO, Navya paints a picture of an entrepreneur who believes in the rigor of groundwork, an immersion among the people she aims to serve. For her, being relatable is not just a trait but an integral spoke in the wheel of effective social entrepreneurship. It’s the bridge that permits real impact, slinging her enterprise beyond the superficial.
Her definition of self remains modest, her feet firmly on the ground, as she emphasizes the significance of stepping out from the comfort of familiar territories, to connect, learn, and evolve – both personally and professionally. She is fueled by the philosophy that there is always more work to be done, ambitions to be fulfilled, and communities to uplift.
Rejuvenated for the second season of her vodcast and driven by a mission that is decidedly her own, Navya Naveli Nanda embodies the ethos of a new age leader – one who is unafraid to pivot from predetermined paths and carve lanes that lead to tangible change, bearing the mantle of her heritage with grace, and creating a luminary identity that shines with its light.
