While Shakespeare asked everyone ‘What’s in a name’, we often thought that names had nothing to do with life in general. But ask these celebrities, whose lives revolves around their names. If not for an ordinary person, for people in showbiz, the name is literally everything.
Imagine why else would celebrities change their name before they make their big debut. In fact, there have been cases when a director has asked/made actors change their names because their real names didn’t go with their screen presence.
Would Amitabh Bachchan be this big if his name was something ordinary like Raj or Deepak? We all know those few celebs who have changed their name before they entered the limelight but there are some more who were born with a different name, but changed it before they entered Bollywood. Because ‘Everything is there in a name’.
1. Amitabh Bachchan
(c) Twitter
Known as B Big today, do you think Amitabh Bachchan woukd have ever made it this big with a name like ‘Inquilab Srivastava’? Well, we like his new name for sure.
2. Salman Khan
(c) Twitter
Bhai of Bollywood, Salman Khan is everyone’s go-to person. But did you know his name is a shorter version of his real name – Abdul Rashid Salim Salman Khan? Just imagine people calling him ARSSK bhai.
3. Rajnikant
(c) Twitter
He is worshipped and loved by millions of people around the globe. But did you know he is a Maratha by heart and was actually named Shivaji Rao Gaekwad?
4. Akshay Kumar
(c) Instagram
He gave up his real name Rajiv Hari Om Bhatia for reel name but later used that name of his home production- Hari Om Entertainment.
5. Hrithik Roshan
Me: I’m already barely wearing anything. Please no more. Style Gods: You’re overdressed! We need more! Or rather, less. Me: But- Style Gods: LESS! Me: ……. Fine. #thefaceofresignation #whycantIwearclothes #itgetscolddude
A post shared by Hrithik Roshan (@hrithikroshan) on Jul 30, 2017 at 11:20pm PDT
Well, Hrithik’s dance moves often give many of us an inferiority complex. His original name was Hrithik Nagrath, now we know how he can pull those snaky moves so effortlessly.
6. Rekha
(c) Twitter
The gorgeous diva created buzz for all the wrong and right reasons ever since she entered the industry. But did you know her real name was Bhanurekha Ganeshan? Thank god she changed it to Rekha!
7. Ranveer Singh
My passion has propelled me to where I am today. Where have you taken your passion, your will to do something extraordinary? Share your #DriveYourStory with @carreraindia & me, and stand a chance to catch me LIVE at Carrera Eyewear’s event! For more details, follow @carreraindia and check out their handle 🕶
A post shared by Ranveer Singh (@ranveersingh) on Apr 23, 2018 at 6:52am PDT
Errr…..well, for some reason, we just can’t imagine him with a name like Ranveer Singh Bhavnani, and we’re glad it’s not the same. Imagine Deepika being called Mrs. Bhavnani……naah!
8. Prabhas
A post shared by prabhas (@prabhas__official) on Apr 23, 2018 at 12:43am PDT
Let’s thank the Baahubali star Prabhas for using the short version of his OG name- Venkata Satyanarayana Prabhas Raju Uppalapati. We could never say it out loud without missing some bits of it.
9. Shilpa Shetty
Tonight’s look for #HTStyleawards Palm cuff – @youbejewellery Outfit @reem_acra Photographer credit: @frontrowgypsy Make up – @ajayshelarmakeupartist Hair- @sheetalfkhan Styled by – @mohitrai #moststylishauthor #Glam #instapic #domecticdiva #style #shimmer #shine #stylishauthor #glamour
A post shared by Shilpa Shetty Kundra (@theshilpashetty) on Jan 24, 2018 at 8:58am PST
Born with the name Ashwini Shetty, Shilpa changed her name after her mom’s astrologer said that doing so would bring more fame and luck. That’s how Shilpa was born.
10. Madhubala
(c) Twitter
An example of sheer beauty, Madhubala could literally take your breath away. But she wasn’t just the most beautiful but had a heavy name like Begum Mumtaz Jehan Dehelvi.
11. John Abraham
Sunday Motivation 😎 #StayFit #johnabraham #bollywood
A post shared by John Abraham FC (@the_john_abraham_fc) on May 12, 2018 at 9:37pm PDT
Well, his real name might leave you stunned – Farhan Abraham. No, we aren’t jumbling up two actors, it is his birth name.
12. Mithun Chakraborty
(c) Twitter
Gourango Chakrobarty is his real name. Sounds more like a nickname though!
13. Katrina Kaif
Lights 📷 …. and pose 💃
A post shared by Katrina Kaif (@katrinakaif) on Mar 23, 2018 at 4:44am PDT
She came to Bollywood with name Katrina Turquotte and only changed it to Kaif because Indian audience could understand it better.
14. Dharmendra
(c) Twitter
The ‘He-Man’ of India needs no introduction. While the name Dharmendra was once on everyone’s lips, very few people know that is real name was Dharam Singh Deol.
15. Ajay Devgn
(c) Instagram
Imagine people calling him as Vishal Devgn? What would you prefer more – Vishal or Ajay?
16. Preity Zinta
“Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine.” #sunshine #happiness #positivity #strikeapose #selfie #ting😘
A post shared by Preity Zinta (@realpz) on Mar 17, 2018 at 10:30pm PDT
Her real name was Preetam Singh Zinta. Well, you did right Preetam aka Preity.
17. Govinda
(c) Twitter
Named as Govind Arun Ahuja, he just knew letting go of those two extra names was the best thing.
18. Guru Dutt
(c) Twitter
The man of tragedy films, Guru Dutt defined Indian film industry. When it comes to understanding Indian cinema, his movies are often recommended. While his name Guru Dutt sounds royal and to the point, his original name- Vasanth Kumar Shivshankar Padukone would have put everyone off. P.S. No he ain’t Deepika’s relative!
19. Anushka Shetty
gorgeous👌�💖
A post shared by Anushka Shetty (@anushka_shetty_) on Jan 18, 2014 at 6:51pm PST
Sweety Shetty, that reminds us so much of our nicknames our parents give us.
20. Jackie Shroff
(c) Twitter
The ‘bheedu’ of Bollywood was born with a bhai name ‘Jaikishan Kaku Bhai’. That’s a revelation indeed!
21. Tiger Shroff
Trying to blend in with the monkeys in mussoorie. #soty2
A post shared by Tiger Shroff (@tigerjackieshroff) on Apr 22, 2018 at 7:02am PDT
Following his father’s footsteps, Jai Hemant Shroff, opted for Tiger Shroff, because that sounds cool!
22. Sridevi
Wearing my favourite @manishmalhotra05 in Moscow
A post shared by Sridevi Kapoor (@sridevi.kapoor) on Dec 17, 2017 at 4:14am PST
Her real name was Shree Amma Yanger Ayyapan. We totally love the fact that Sri changed it to Sridevi.
23. Sunny Leone
😘 #Summer18🌴 Collection by @rockystarofficial Lip shade: #SugarPlum by @starstruckbysl #SunnyLeone #fashion #cosmetics #StarStruckbySL
A post shared by Sunny Leone (@sunnyleone) on May 2, 2018 at 7:44am PDT
Karenjit Kaur Vohra or Sunny Leone? Do you think you like her new name more?
24. Tabu
Also.
A post shared by Tabu (@tabutiful) on Dec 10, 2017 at 8:24pm PST
Whether Tabu or Tabassum Hashmi Khan, we would have loved her either way.
25. Dev Anand
(c) Twitter
We loved Dev Anand, he was a delight to watch. There is no one till date who can match his persona. While he played some easy-breezy character, his real name was too difficult to even write down- Dharam Devdutt Pishorimal Anand.
