Navya Naveli Nanda Defends Jaya Bachchan’s Candid Views on Pre-Marital Pregnancy

Veteran actress Jaya Bachchan ignited a significant social media discussion after she candidly shared her progressive views on love, relationships, and motherhood during an episode of her granddaughter Navya Naveli Nanda’s podcast, ‘What The Hell Navya,’ in 2022. The statement that particularly drew attention and sparked a flurry of reactions was her openness to the idea of her granddaughter having a child outside of wedlock.

The Controversial Statement

In the podcast episode, which featured three generations of the Bachchan-Nanda family (Jaya Bachchan, Shweta Bachchan Nanda, and Navya Naveli Nanda), the topic shifted to modern relationships and the importance of physical compatibility. Jaya Bachchan emphasized a modern and “clinical” view on love, stating that in today’s world, where romance is sometimes lacking, one should marry their best friend.

She was quoted as saying: “I have no problem if you have a child without a marriage also, I really don’t have a problem.” She also stressed the importance of physical intimacy for a long-lasting relationship, asserting that a relationship cannot survive solely on “love and fresh air and adjustment.” This bold, unfiltered perspective from a prominent figure in an older generation quickly became a viral topic, dividing opinions between those who saw it as progressive and those who found it objectionable.

Navya’s Graceful Defense of Her ‘Nani’

Following the extensive media coverage and online criticism that followed her grandmother’s comments, Navya Naveli Nanda gracefully addressed the controversy in subsequent interviews, effectively defending her ‘Nani’s’ modern stance.

Navya made it clear that the core motivation behind the ‘What The Hell Navya’ podcast was to create a “safe space for women” to discuss sensitive and often taboo subjects openly and without judgment. She emphasized that the platform was designed for “fun, intelligent conversations” and not for generating controversy.

She explained that putting personal opinions on a public forum naturally invites varied responses: “When you put yourself out there, you have to understand that your opinions will be met with both agreement and disagreement.” By acknowledging the inevitability of criticism, Navya deflected the focus from the controversy itself and instead highlighted the positive and inclusive intention of the podcast. Her response framed Jaya Bachchan’s comments not as a deliberate provocation, but as an honest and comfortable sharing of a private, progressive belief within a family discussion that was made public.

Ultimately, Navya defended her grandmother by standing firm on the podcast’s purpose: to encourage candid, intergenerational discussions and normalize conversations around evolving social norms, thereby providing a platform for women to speak freely about their lives, relationships, and choices.