Agastya Nanda is gearing up for his theatrical debut with the biographical war drama Ikkis, and as part of the film’s promotions, the young actor recently made an appearance on Kaun Banega Crorepati 17. The episode turned particularly special — and slightly tricky — as it was hosted by none other than his maternal grandfather and megastar Amitabh Bachchan.

Agastya Nanda gets caught in a Nana vs Nani dilemma on KBC 17; Jaideep Ahlawat gives a witty reply that steals the show

During the interaction, Agastya found himself in an unexpected dilemma when an audience member posed a rather personal question. She asked the actor who he liked more — his nana or his nani. Clearly taken aback, Agastya laughed off the moment and chose not to answer, calling it an impossibly tough choice. His hesitation instantly drew amused reactions from the audience.

Stepping in to lighten the moment was actor Jaideep Ahlawat, who plays a key role in Ikkis and was seated in the audience. Offering a humorous solution, Jaideep quipped, “Agar vanity mein pitna hai toh nani ka naam le lo… aur ghar jaake pitna hai toh nana ka naam le lo (If you want to get scolded in the vanity van, take your nani’s name… and if you want to get scolded once you go home, take your nana’s name) .”

The witty remark drew laughter from everyone present, including Amitabh Bachchan himself. Adding to the warmth of the moment, Agastya’s family members — his mother Shweta Bachchan Nanda and sister Navya Naveli Nanda — were also present in the audience, making the episode a memorable family affair. A promo from the episode, shared on Sony Entertainment Television’s official Instagram handle, has since gone viral, with fans enjoying the candid exchange.

Earlier, Amitabh Bachchan had also taken to his blog to share an emotional and detailed review of Ikkis, praising Agastya’s performance as Param Vir Chakra awardee Arun Kheterpal, who lost his life during the 1971 Indo-Pak war. In his note, Amitabh described being unable to take his eyes off Agastya whenever he appeared on screen and lauded the restraint, honesty and maturity of his portrayal, clarifying that his words came not from a grandfather, but from a seasoned viewer of cinema.

Ikkis also marks the debut of Akshay Kumar’s niece Simran Bhatia and is notably the posthumous release of veteran actor Dharmendra. With its emotional subject matter and a fresh cast led by Agastya Nanda, the film has steadily been drawing attention — and moments like the KBC 17 appearance have only added to the buzz. It is slated to release in cinemas on January 1.

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