Amitabh Bachchan reveals family link to Saif Ali Khan on KBC
Synopsis
On KBC, Amitabh Bachchan casually unravelled one of Bollywood's best-kept family secrets — that he and Saif Ali Khan are actually related, through Shweta Bachchan's marriage to Nikhil Nanda, Kareena Kapoor's first cousin. Saif's deadpan response to Big B's follow-up question was the moment the internet needed.
Key Takeaways
Amitabh Bachchan revealed on Kaun Banega Crorepati that he is related to Saif Ali Khan .
The connection runs through Shweta Bachchan's marriage to Nikhil Nanda in 1997 — Nikhil is a first cousin of Kareena Kapoor Khan , Saif's wife.
Nikhil Nanda is the son of the late Ritu Nanda , daughter of cinema legend Raj Kapoor .
Bachchan and Saif have previously shared screen space in Eklavya: The Royal Guard (2007) and Aarakshan (2011) .
Saif appeared on KBC with co-star Akshay Kumar to promote their upcoming film Haiwaan , releasing on 11 September .
Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan surprised viewers on 2 September when he revealed a little-known family connection between himself and actor Saif Ali Khan on the popular game show Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC). The disclosure came as Saif appeared on the show alongside his Haiwaan co-star Akshay Kumar, turning what began as a celebrity episode into an unexpected Bollywood family-tree moment.
How the Two Families Are Connected
Big B explained the link with characteristic warmth: 'Sir, many people don't know that he is in our relation.' A visibly surprised Saif responded, 'Me?', prompting the host to elaborate. 'Raj Kapoor's daughter, Ritu's son Nikhil is married to my daughter Shweta,' Amitabh said, laying out the connection step by step.
For context: Shweta Bachchan married Nikhil Nanda in 1997. Nikhil is the son of the late Ritu Nanda — herself the daughter of cinema legend Raj Kapoor — making him a first cousin of Kareena Kapoor Khan, Saif's wife. The chain of relations, therefore, draws a direct line between the Bachchan and Kapoor-Khan households.
The Question That Stumped Big B
Amitabh then turned the moment into a light-hearted puzzle, admitting he was unsure how he and Kareena should address each other. 'So now I want to know how should I address Kareena? Kareena will call me what?' he asked. Saif, never one to miss a comedic beat, quipped: 'Thank God that's not a question,' drawing laughter from the studio audience.
The exchange highlighted one of Bollywood's more intricate family networks, where professional and personal ties frequently overlap across generations.
Bachchan and Saif: A Professional History Too
Beyond the family connection, the two actors share a notable on-screen history. They appeared together in Eklavya: The Royal Guard (2007) and Aarakshan (2011), giving their KBC reunion an added layer of professional camaraderie.
Shweta and Nikhil Nanda are parents to two children — daughter Navya Naveli Nanda and son Agastya Nanda — both of whom have increasingly carved out their own public profiles.
About Haiwaan: Saif and Akshay's Upcoming Film
Saif and Akshay's KBC appearance was also an opportunity to promote their forthcoming crime-thriller Haiwaan, directed by Priyadarshan. The film is a remake of the acclaimed 2016 Malayalam hit Oppam and is backed by KVN Productions and Thespian Films. The ensemble cast includes Boman Irani, Shriya Pilgaonkar, and Saiyami Kher in key supporting roles. Haiwaan is scheduled to release in cinemas on 11 September this year.
Point of View
But it also underscored how thoroughly Bollywood's top families have intertwined over decades — through marriage, collaboration, and shared legacy. What is easy to miss is that the Bachchan-Kapoor connection predates Saif entirely; it was cemented in 1997 when Shweta married Nikhil Nanda. The fact that this remained 'unknown to many' for nearly three decades says something about how little mainstream coverage has mapped these networks. As Agastya Nanda and Navya Naveli Nanda step into the spotlight, the family web will only grow more relevant to how Bollywood stories are told.
NationPress
2 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How is Amitabh Bachchan related to Saif Ali Khan?
Amitabh Bachchan's daughter Shweta Bachchan is married to Nikhil Nanda, who is a first cousin of Kareena Kapoor Khan — Saif Ali Khan's wife. This makes Amitabh and Saif relatives by marriage through the Kapoor family.
Who is Nikhil Nanda and how is he connected to Raj Kapoor?
Nikhil Nanda is the son of the late Ritu Nanda, who was the daughter of Bollywood legend Raj Kapoor. He married Shweta Bachchan in 1997, linking the Bachchan and Kapoor family trees.
What films have Amitabh Bachchan and Saif Ali Khan done together?
The two actors have shared screen space in Eklavya: The Royal Guard (2007) and Aarakshan (2011), giving their relationship both a personal and professional dimension.
What is the film Haiwaan and when does it release?
Haiwaan is an upcoming Hindi crime-thriller directed by Priyadarshan, starring Saif Ali Khan and Akshay Kumar. It is a remake of the 2016 Malayalam film Oppam and is scheduled for a theatrical release on 11 September. The cast also includes Boman Irani, Shriya Pilgaonkar, and Saiyami Kher.
Who are Shweta Bachchan and Nikhil Nanda's children?
Shweta Bachchan and Nikhil Nanda have two children — daughter Navya Naveli Nanda and son Agastya Nanda, both of whom have been making their own mark in public life.
