Often introduced by her strong family ties, Akshata Murty is reshaping how she sees herself – rejecting the labels associated with heritage and instead basing her identity on values, authenticity and impact.
In a candid podcast interview with Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath, Murty made it clear that she doesn’t see herself through the lens of being a “successful man’s daughter” or a “prime minister’s wife.” Instead, it emphasizes building a sense of self that is independent, intentional, and rooted in contribution.
“My validation comes from actual impact,” she said, underscoring the belief that identity should be earned through action rather than inherited through association.
Murty outlined three core values that shape her worldview – compassion, curiosity and personal integrity. Of these, she highlighted integrity as being “authentic to who I am,” regardless of external expectations or pressures. In a world where public figures are often shaped by perception, her insistence on authenticity signals a conscious resistance to conforming to pre-defined roles.
Her remarks come amid ongoing conversations about heritage and identity, particularly for those from influential families. Murty acknowledged her background, but emphasized that she didn’t want it to be the only lens through which she was seen.
She also spoke about navigating life between India and the UK, describing herself as a “living bridge” – a phrase she attributes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The idea, she explained, reflects her connection to both countries.
Murty said she feels “incredibly at home in India” and proud of her heritage, while being deeply committed to her life and family in the UK. “A bridge connects two places without belonging exclusively to one,” she noted.
At the same time, she emphasized the importance of independent decision-making. Murty said she always tried to stand on her “own two feet,” making professional decisions separate from her parents’ success. She also described her heritage as “non-negotiable”, something she wouldn’t change to fit into public life.
Alongside Akshata Murty’s remarks on identity, the interview also featured Rishi Sunak and Nikhil Kamath reflecting on politics, education and the future of work.
Speaking about his journey into public life, Sunak said it was shaped less by ambition and more by early experiences. Growing up in Southampton, where his parents worked as doctors and pharmacists, he said delivering medicine to patients as a teenager showed him how individuals could really make a difference in their communities.
