‘Outdated institution’: Jaya Bachchan advises granddaughter Navya against marriage

Veteran actress and parliamentarian Jaya Bachchan has sparked fresh public debate after making striking remarks about the institution of marriage, stating she does not wish for her granddaughter Navya Naveli Nanda to get married.

Jaya Bachchan calls marriage ‘outdated Institution’

At the We The Women Mumbai session in conversation with journalist Barkha Dutt, Jaya was asked if she would encourage her granddaughter to make the same life choices that she did. To this, she said, quite unequivocally, “I don’t want Navya to get married.”

A legal stamp is no longer required

When pressed if she believes marriage itself has become an outdated institution, the actress firmly replied, “Yes, absolutely.”

This year, Jaya completed 52 years of marriage with Amitabh Bachchan. She questioned what a legal stamp can imply in a committed relationship, saying it is the real companionship that matters. On a lighter note, she once referred to the Hindi adage, "woh Dilli ka ladoo—khao toh mushkil na khao toh mushkil" (The Delhi sweet—difficult if you eat it, difficult if you don't), and then remarked, "Just enjoy life."

The actress, who was last seen in the 2023 film Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, reflected on how social norms and parenting have changed at such a fast pace. All agree that there lies a generation gap, and Alia admits she feels too old to advise young women today.

"I'm a grandmother now. Navya turns 28 in a few days. I'm too old to advise young girls today on how to bring up children. Things have changed so much. These little children today are so smart, they'll outsmart you," she said.

Daughter of Shweta Bachchan and Nikhil Nanda, Navya Naveli Nanda, is a health-tech co-founder and currently pursuing a blended MBA from IIM Ahmedabad. Jaya’s remarks have triggered an immediate, vibrant reaction online, a continuous debate among younger generations over whether marriage is compatible with modern expectations for freedom and career ambitions.

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