Javed Akhtar recently shared his admiration for actor Agastya Nanda while acknowledging the contrasting reception he receives when expressing pride in his own daughter, Zoya Akhtar. He praised Agastya, referring to him as the most promising rising talent in the Hindi film industry, akin to the impact Rishi Kapoor had over fifty years ago. He emphasized that Agastya, Amitabh Bachchan’s grandson, embodies a more innocent and refreshing presence in contrast to the prevalent “macho and toxic” hero portrayals in contemporary cinema. Agastya made his debut in Zoya’s latest Netflix film, The Archies.

Akhtar acknowledged the public’s curiosity about star kids entering the film industry, indicating that their presence often piques the interest of casual moviegoers. Despite the less favorable reviews of their performances in The Archies, Akhtar remains steadfast in his support. He shared his firm belief in Agastya’s star potential, recalling a conversation with Agastya’s mother, Shweta Bachchan Nanda, where he expressed his conviction about Agastya’s future stardom.

In a conversation with Rediff, Akhtar lauded Agastya as an unpretentious and innocent hero, deviating from the stereotype of the toxic and rugged male lead. He compared Agastya’s appeal to the charisma Rishi Kapoor brought to the screen in Bobby, predicting that Agastya’s portrayal would resonate with young audiences, particularly girls.

The Archies marked Agastya Nanda’s debut alongside Sridevi-Boney Kapoor’s daughter Khushi Kapoor and SRK’s daughter Suhana Khan.

Also Read: Why Does The RCIED Vehicle Protecting VVIP Convoys Jam Signals? Here’s Everything You Need To Know