Superstar Salman Khan's nephew, Ayaan Agnihotri, has stepped into the spotlight with the launch of his debut single, 'Universal Law'. The grand unveiling took place in Dubai, drawing a host of celebrities and well-wishers. Salman, known for his quick wit and playful nature, couldn't resist teasing Ayaan about the inevitable "nepotism tag" that often follows star kids. However, the young rapper appears undeterred by the chatter, choosing to focus on his music and personal journey rather than external opinions.
In an exclusive conversation with India Today Digital, Ayaan opened up about his artistic journey, the inspiration behind his stage name Agni, and why he refuses to let the nepotism debate define him. He revealed that his passion for music began around seven to eight years ago when he started writing. Initially, Ayaan wanted to create a faceless account to share his work anonymously. He explained, "I didn’t want to put my identity out there. I just wanted to build a persona — something that allowed me to express my true thoughts and emotions without the baggage of who I am. I picked 'Agni' from my surname because it felt powerful and symbolic. In the hip-hop world, ‘burn’ means you’ve done exceptionally well, and the word 'Agni' — which represents fire — seemed like the perfect match. It all came together in a way that felt right."
As he worked on his craft, Ayaan admitted that his initial confidence was shaky. He doubted whether he had the skill to pull off an anonymous persona. However, with time, his dedication paid off, and he grew into the Agni identity. He described it as a transformative experience, saying, "It gave me a whole new level of confidence. There are things I might hesitate to say as Ayaan — but as Agni, I can say them fearlessly. It feels like an alter ego, someone who’s bold and unapologetic. It’s liberating, and I fell in love with that side of me. It’s no longer just a name; it’s a part of who I am."
When asked about Salman Khan’s lighthearted jab at nepotism during the event, Ayaan didn’t shy away from addressing the topic. He acknowledged that while the conversation about nepotism is unavoidable, he doesn’t let it affect him. "Honestly, I don’t care," he said bluntly. "A lot of people get stressed about it, but I think it’s blown way out of proportion. This idea of passing something down — whether it’s in royal families, business empires, or politics — has existed for centuries. In our culture, we’re taught to support our own, to help friends and family succeed. But when that happens in the entertainment industry, it suddenly gets labeled as 'nepotism' — and that’s unfair. People have started misusing the word, twisting it into something negative. At the end of the day, talent speaks louder than lineage. If I’m not good enough, no amount of connections will make people listen to my music. I have to prove myself, just like anyone else."
Growing up in a family full of creative minds, Ayaan acknowledged how much their influence shaped his artistic journey. "Absolutely," he agreed. "My family is filled with talented people — writers, directors, producers, actors, fashion designers, stylists — everyone is doing something creative. It’s incredibly inspiring. When you’re surrounded by people who are passionate about their work, it fuels your own drive. It’s not about pressure; it’s about seeing that if they can chase their dreams, so can I. Honestly, I think creativity runs in my blood."
And when it comes to feedback, Ayaan didn’t hesitate to name the one person whose opinion matters the most to him: his father. "My dad has always been my biggest supporter and my harshest critic. We’ve bonded over music for as long as I can remember. He’s brutally honest — if he doesn’t like something, he’ll tell me straight up. But that’s what keeps me grounded and pushes me to improve. His opinion means the world to me."
Ayaan Agnihotri’s debut may have arrived under the shadow of the nepotism debate, but his mindset, passion, and dedication suggest he’s determined to let his music — and not his family name — define his career. Whether he’s Ayaan or Agni, one thing is clear: he’s ready to blaze his own trail in the music industry, one verse at a time.
