Many Bollywood stars have such legendary and unique names, that you can’t help but get fascinated. But did you know, that many stars change their real names before making their debut? There are many reasons to do so, and we have a list of some popular actors who underwent these name changes.
1. Amitabh Bachchan
Popularly known as Big B today, and often people call him Amit ji, but do you know? Amitabh Bachchan’s real name is Inquilab Srivastava. And just imagine, if Bachchan ji could gain the fame he has right now with that name? Or can you imagine someone calling him Inquilab ji?
2. Salman Khan
Half of Bollywood would prefer not to mess with the Bhai of Bollywood. Although Salman Khan is everyone’s go-to person, but you wouldn’t like to be in his bad books. As a matter of fact, did you know his name is actually a shorter version of his real name? His real aka full name is Abdul Rashid Salim Salman Khan. Just imagine fans calling him Abdul bhai/Rashid Bhai or Salim Bhai; it sounds like we are talking about a different person.
3. Rajnikanth
Rajnikanth is literally one of those actors who is worshipped like a God in our country, especially in South India. And he is loved by millions across the globe. His name sounds like a typical Tamil man’s name, but he is Maratha by heart. Rajni Sir’s real name is Shivaji Rao Gaekwad.
4. Akshay Kumar
It is a known fact that Akshay Kumar has Canadian Passport and Visa, but did you know he doesn’t use his real name? In fact he changed his name before making his debut in Bollywood. Akshay’s real name is Rajiv Hari Om Bhatia, and he currently named his production by that name- Hari Om Entertainment.
5. Hrithik Roshan
Hrithik Roshan is the son of actor-turned-director Rakesh Roshan. But it is a lesser known fact that Hrithik’s real surname is Nagrath, which means his real name is Hrithik Nagrath. Bollywood celebs who changed their names before becoming superstars.
6. Rekha
The gorgeous diva, who has aged like a fine wine has been creating a buzz for all the wrong and right reasons ever since her entry in the industry. But did you know that her real name is Bhanurekha Ganeshan? Although we think it was a good decision to shorten her name, aand change it to Rekha.
7. Ranveer Singh
Ranveer Singh’s real name is Ranveer Singh Bhavnani, and we think it gives his name a touch of Royalty, don’t you think? But the way Ranveer carries himself, no one can call him Royal, except for the fact that he played an amazing role as Bajirao in Bajirao Mastani.
8. Prabhas
Usually people from the south have names that are quite mouthful, and one such actor is Prabhas. His real name is Venkata Satyanarayana Prabhas Raju Uppalapat, and let’s thank him for not shortening his name to Raju, but Prabhas. Imagine calling Prabhas as Raju, Uh! we can never! The Bahubali superstar thankfully isn’t called Raju.
9. Shilpa Shetty
Shilpa Shetty’s birth name is Ashwini Shetty, Shilpa changed her name after her mother’s astrologer said that she would gain more fame and luck in life by doing so. After getting married to Kunal Kundra, Shilpa Shetty goes by Shilpa Shetty Kundra.
10. Madhubala
Madhubala is an example of sheer beauty and elegance that will literally take your breath away. Furthermore it’s a lesser known fact that she had a unique and a big name, Begum Mumtaz Jehan Dehelvi.
11. John Abraham
Did you know, John Abraham’s real name is Farhan Abraham! We already know two Farhans in the industry, let’s just be glad that John decided to change it beforehand. We were also shocked to find out this secret of his. Bollywood celebs who changed their names before becoming superstars.
12. Mithun Chakraborty
Mithun Chakraborty, who is also popular as Mithun Da or Dada in Bollywood as well as the Bengali Film Industry uses a different name! We can bet that you didn’t know, as it is a very lesser known fact. His real name is Gourango Chakrobarty.
13. Katrina Kaif
Katrina Kaif is one of the most favourite actresses in Bollywood, and she has been in the limelight for all the good reasons. But Katrina doesn’t use her real surname, as it could be difficult to pronounce. Although her real name is Katrina Turquotte, she also goes by Kate Turquotte.
14. Dharmendra
The heartthrob of his time, and the ‘He-Man’ of India needs no such introduction. While he is Dharmendra for all of us, in reality his name is Dharam Singh Deol. And to be honest, now Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol’s surname makes sense to us.
15. Ajay Devgan
What would you prefer Mr Devgan to be known as? Ajay or Vishal? As much as shocking it may sound, or weird, Ajay’s real name is Vishal Devgan. Bollywood celebs who changed their names before becoming superstars
16. Preity Zinta
Our pretty Preity, who’s the owner of the IPL team Kings XI Punjab has been going by her nickname for all these years! Her real name is Preetam Singh Zinta. And it was a very good decision from our side because Preity is very pretty, right?
17. Govinda
The star of his time, and a legendary actor nonetheless is actually Govind Arun Ahuja. But he let go off his middle name and surname, and instead kept it Govinda, and who hasn’t heard his name, right? Bollywood celebs who changed their names before becoming superstars.
18. Guru Dutt
The man of tragedy films, Guru Dutt is one of those actors who defined the Indian film industry. While his name sounds royal and legendary in itself, Guru Dutt his original name is Vasanth Kumar Shivshankar Padukone. Which would have been difficult to make a mark amongst his audience.
19. Anushka Shetty
Anushka Shetty’s real name sounds like a nickname that our parents give us , Sweety Shetty. Can you imagine any actress who goes by the name Sweety in the Bollywood Industry? Bollywood celebs who changed their names before becoming superstars.
20. Jackie Shroff
Jackie Dada, or rather the ‘bheedu’ of Bollywood was born with a ‘bhai’ name ‘Jaikishan Kaku Bhai’. And rumours has it that Jackie used to be a goon, and he was cast in a film when a director caught his eye. Imagine, we could have gotten two bhais in Bollywood, Salman Bhai and Jackie Bhai.
21. Tiger Shroff
Tiger Shroff’s birth name is Jai Hemant Shroff. But from childhood itself, his father, Jackie Shroff used to call him Tiger. So before making his debut in Bollywood, Tiger changed his name officially from Jai to Tiger. And anyways it sounds cool, right?
22. Sridevi
We have hardly ever heard Sridevi as Sridevi Kapoor, after she married producer Boney Kapoor. Now imagine if you find out that Sridevi’s real name is not Sridevi, what would be your reaction? The legendary actor’s real name was Shree Amma Yanger Ayyapan. And we totally love how she changed Shree to Sridevi.
23. Sunny Leone
Sunny Leone was a pornography actor, before she made her debut in Bollywood. And a few years back she revealed that her real name is Karenjit Kaur Vohra, not Sunny Leone. Her name Sunny was used as her screen name for her videos.
24. Tabu
Everyone in the industry knows Tbu by the name Tabu itself. Although it does sound like a nickname, and is easier to pronounce, her real name is a little difficult in reality. It is Tabassum Hashmi Khan, but don’t you think we would have loved her either way?
25. Dev Anand
Dev Anand was a legendary actor, and one of the most lovable actors of his time. There are hardly any actors who can match his persona till date. But his real name is quite different than one would think. His real name was Dharam Devdutt Pishorimal Anand.
26. Dilip Kumar
Dilip Kumar is an actor who introduced method acting in Bollywood. And as of now, Dilip Kumar is the only actor who is alive from the Golden Era of Bollywood. He is also entitled as ‘The First Khan’, why? Well, in reality his name is Muhammad Yusuf Khan. So that explains the title.
27. Saif Ali Khan
Somehow the name Sajid doesn’t suit Saif. Saif Ali Khan’s persona and the royalty his name holds is so much more tempting than the name Sajid Ali Khan. Bollywood celebs who changed their names before becoming superstars.
28. Mahima Chaudhry
Mahima Chaudhry, the beauty of her own time is a wonderful actress, and she has starred in a number of blockbusters, including ‘Dhadkan’ (2000). Although it is not known to everyone that her real name is Ritu Chaudhry.
29. Mallika Sherawat
One of the most popular item girl of Bollywood, and our very own Jalebi Bai doesn’t use her real name in the Bollywood Industry. Her real name is Reema Lamba, and we cannot imagine Jalebi Bai as someone named Reema!
Also read 20 Bollywood Celebrities Who Got Replaced By Other Actors. Know Why?