The Business of Being Navya Naveli Nanda: A New Kind of Star Power

Chances are you’ve seen her on social media—maybe in a paparazzi reel or an episode of her candid podcast, What The Hell Navya. But what we often miss is the depth of the work she’s doing behind the scenes. Legacy last names aside, Navya Naveli Nanda is crafting one of her own—quietly, purposefully, and impactfully.

In a country where legacy often dictates trajectory, Navya Naveli Nanda is a refreshing departure from the expected. Granddaughter of actors Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan, and daughter of author and columnist Shweta Bachchan Nanda, Navya's choice to build a career outside the entertainment industry has been both deliberate and meaningful- one that leads through grassroots change, digital empowerment, and a fierce dedication to gender equity. Navya was destined for the limelight.

From launching a healthcare platform that champions women’s wellness to building communities that elevate female entrepreneurs, Navya’s day is a masterclass in multitasking—family business meetings, NGO planning, podcast prep, and an online MBA, all seamlessly woven together.

The Style List caught up with the 27-year-old changemaker to dive into the real story behind her ventures, Project Naveli, EntrepreNaari, What The Hell Navya, and the quiet revolution she’s leading for women across India.

What inspired you to start Project Naveli and EntrepreNaari? 

I believe that we all have a moral responsibility to leave society a better place than we found it. Project Naveli and EntrepreNaari, is my effort towards giving back to society, making it a more inclusive and equitable place. The inspiration comes from wanting to do better for the people around us.

Tell us about your vision for Project Naveli. How has it evolved since its inception, and what’s next for it?

Project Naveli began with the intention to create sustainable and long-lasting solutions for women in the health, education, legal and entrepreneurship spaces. We still operate under these four pillars, and continue to grow our projects with the same intentions. Looking forward, we would hope to build stronger partnerships with think tanks and government bodies to see if we can influence policy change in any way. This would give us the longer-term solutions we are looking for. We work with Aspire For Her to make entrepreneurship aspirational for women in India.

What are some of the most powerful success stories you’ve encountered through EntrepreNaari so far?

Each and every woman in our community has an incredibly inspiring story. We have women from across ages, 18 to 70, running businesses and growing their brands. The risks, the challenges, and the excitement that being an entrepreneur comes with are something we see every day through all the women, and that is powerful! 

We are proud of our EntrepreNaaris who have joined our SheExports cohorts and have taken India to the world. We are also proud of the artisans and agri-workers in our HumSafal program in the rural heartland of our country who are supported by us to use technology to gain market access.  

Was there a defining moment that pushed you to focus on women’s empowerment and health advocacy in India? 

I don’t believe that you need a defining moment to push you to do the right thing. Wanting to work towards building the gaps that we so clearly see in our society was something I was sure of from the start. 

What have been some of the most eye-opening lessons you've learned working at the grassroots level? 

The brilliance of our EntrepreNaaris continues to amaze us. We are mentoring a young EntrepreNaari - Soumita Basu, who has created Zyenika, a brand of assistive clothing for persons with disabilities and limited mobility. Soumita is wheelchair bound after an accident. It is a unique product which is possibly ahead of its time. As we help her with her business model and pitches, we hear the word ‘no’ many times. What truly motivates us is Soumita’s innate resilience, as she never lets the negativity break her spirit. She celebrates the smallest success and wheels through the challenges with a smile. We get inspired by her courage and optimism. 

What does women’s empowerment mean to you personally? 

The freedom to make your own decisions and choices without judgment or barriers. Whether that be wanting to be a CEO or a homemaker. Each and every choice is one that should be respected. 

As a woman in business yourself, what stereotypes or barriers have you had to personally push back against? 

Often you get questioned about your age and whether you are experienced enough or qualified enough to be doing what you do. That is a barrier that most young people today break on a daily basis. You are never too old or too young to stand up for the right thing; age can never and should never be a barrier to following your passion. 

You come from a family with a strong legacy—how has that influenced your career choices? 

Everyone comes from a strong legacy! And everyone has a last name that they have a responsibility to live up to, I’m just doing the same with mine. 

How do you handle criticism or pressure, especially on social media?

I look at it very constructively – the work I do is centred around people, and it is important for me to understand and listen to what people are saying. That will only help me improve and do better in my work. I do not look at it negatively at all. 

What advice would you give to young girls who want to make a difference like you? 

I’m not sure if I am in a position to give advice, I am still learning and growing. But I would say that never let anyone tell you that you’re too young to do something. If you believe in something, fight for it and stand up for it, no matter what your age. 

You host a podcast called What The Hell Navya—what sparked the idea for it, and what’s your favourite part about doing it? What have been some of the most memorable or unexpected moments from recording the podcast with your mom and grandmother?

The podcast was born from a place of wanting to have important conversations, very transparently. We speak about health, financial independence, love, friendships, all topics that should and can be discussed openly in public forums. To me, being able to learn from my Mom and Nani through this entire podcast experience has been both memorable and valuable. 

At just 27, Navya Naveli Nanda is not only defying expectations- she’s rewriting them. In a world where the weight of a last name can be both a blessing and a burden, she has chosen to carry hers lightly, letting her actions speak louder than her pedigree. With every new initiative, podcast episode, or grassroots partnership, she reinforces her core mission: to help build a more informed, inclusive, and empowered society- one project, one woman, one story at a time.