Behind the Screen Names: Bollywood Stars Who Changed Their Identity for Fame

1. Amitabh Bachchan – Inquilab Srivastava

One of the most iconic names in Indian cinema, Amitabh Bachchan, was originally named Inquilab Srivastava. His father, renowned poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan, was inspired by the word "Inquilab" (meaning "revolution"), reflecting the political mood of the time. However, at the suggestion of fellow poet Sumitranandan Pant, his name was changed to Amitabh, meaning "the light that will never die." Later, he adopted "Bachchan" as his surname, a pen name used by his father.

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2. Kareena Kapoor Khan – Siddhima Kapoor

The popular actress was originally named Siddhima by her grandfather, Raj Kapoor. However, her mother, Babita, later changed her name to Kareena, inspired by the book Anna Karenina, which she was reading during her pregnancy. Kareena Kapoor has since become a household name, known for her iconic roles and strong personality in Bollywood.

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3. Shah Rukh Khan – Abdul Rehman

Bollywood’s "King Khan," Shah Rukh Khan, was named Abdul Rehman by his maternal grandmother. However, his father preferred the name Shah Rukh, which means "face of the king," and it stuck. Today, Shah Rukh Khan is one of the most recognized and celebrated actors globally, often referred to simply as SRK.

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4. Akshay Kumar – Rajiv Hari Om Bhatia

Born as Rajiv Hari Om Bhatia, Akshay Kumar made his debut in Bollywood under his birth name. However, before establishing himself as an action star and later a versatile actor, he changed his name to Akshay Kumar, inspired by a character played by his co-actor in a film. His new name helped him stand out in the industry, and today he’s known for his discipline, fitness, and socially relevant films.

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5. Salman Khan – Abdul Rashid Salim Khan

While most fans know him simply as Salman Khan, his full name is actually Abdul Rashid Salim Salman Khan. Salman chose to drop the other parts of his name early in his career, preferring the shorter, more impactful "Salman Khan," which has now become synonymous with Bollywood’s biggest blockbusters and controversies.

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6. Dilip Kumar – Muhammad Yusuf Khan

Legendary actor Dilip Kumar, often hailed as the "Tragedy King" of Indian cinema, was born Muhammad Yusuf Khan. At the behest of producer Devika Rani, he changed his name to Dilip Kumar to have a more neutral appeal in the Hindi film industry. His career spanned decades, and he’s revered as one of the greatest actors in Indian cinema history.

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7. Madhubala – Mumtaz Jehan Begum Dehlavi

Born Mumtaz Jehan Begum Dehlavi, the ethereal beauty of Bollywood known as Madhubala adopted her stage name for a more marketable appeal in the film industry. With timeless performances in films like Mughal-e-Azam, she is remembered as one of the most beautiful and talented actresses of her time.

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8. Rekha – Bhanurekha Ganesan

The iconic diva of Bollywood, Rekha, was born Bhanurekha Ganesan. She simplified her name to just "Rekha" when she entered the film industry, making it easier for audiences to connect with. Rekha’s mystery, grace, and elegance have made her an evergreen presence in Indian cinema.

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9. Rajnikanth – Shivaji Rao Gaekwad

One of India’s biggest superstars, Rajnikanth, was born Shivaji Rao Gaekwad. He changed his name to Rajnikanth, at the suggestion of director K. Balachander, when he entered the Tamil film industry. Today, Rajnikanth is a cultural icon with a massive fan base across India and beyond, especially in South India.

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10. John Abraham – Farhan Abraham

The model-turned-actor John Abraham was born as Farhan Abraham to a Parsi mother and a Malayali Christian father. He chose "John" as his screen name, which has become well-known not only for his action roles but also for his work as a producer of socially relevant films.

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11. Rajesh Khanna – Jatin Khanna

The first "Superstar" of Indian cinema, Rajesh Khanna was born Jatin Khanna. His uncle advised him to change his name to Rajesh, believing it would be more suitable for the film industry. His new name helped him carve out a legendary career, with iconic roles in films like Anand and Aradhana.

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12. Sunny Deol – Ajay Singh Deol

Sunny Deol, known for his powerful performances and action roles, was born Ajay Singh Deol. He adopted "Sunny" as his screen name early in his career, and it stuck. Coming from a film family, Sunny made his own mark in Bollywood with blockbuster hits like Ghayal and Border.

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13. Jeetendra – Ravi Kapoor

Veteran actor Jeetendra was born Ravi Kapoor. He changed his name at the suggestion of producer V. Shantaram when he debuted in Bollywood. Known for his dance moves and charm, Jeetendra became one of the most successful actors in the industry during the 1970s and 1980s.

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14. Mithun Chakraborty – Gourang Chakraborty

Disco king and actor Mithun Chakraborty was born Gourang Chakraborty. He adopted the name Mithun to make it more appealing and memorable to audiences, and it worked. Mithun rose to stardom with his hit film Disco Dancer and became a beloved figure in Indian cinema.

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15. Ajay Devgn – Vishal Devgan

Ajay Devgn, known for his intense performances and action roles, was born Vishal Devgan. He changed his first name to Ajay when he entered Bollywood to avoid confusion with other actors named Vishal. He later also dropped the "a" from his last name, becoming "Devgn."

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16. Mallika Sherawat – Reema Lamba

Mallika Sherawat was born Reema Lamba. She adopted the screen name Mallika, meaning "queen," to stand out in the film industry and avoid confusion with other actresses. Sherawat, her mother's maiden name, gave her a more glamorous identity. She became known for bold roles and pushing boundaries in Bollywood.

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17. Preity Zinta – Preetam Singh Zinta

While not widely known, Preity Zinta was born Preetam Singh Zinta. Preity shortened and altered her name before entering Bollywood, which contributed to her fresh, relatable persona. Preity went on to become one of Bollywood’s most popular actresses, known for her bubbly personality and roles in films like Kal Ho Naa Ho and Veer-Zaara.

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18. Saif Ali Khan – Sajid Ali Khan

Saif Ali Khan, the Nawab of Pataudi, was originally named Sajid Ali Khan. He adopted "Saif" when he entered Bollywood, likely to create a more unique and memorable identity. Saif has since become one of Bollywood’s most versatile actors, known for his roles in films like Dil Chahta Hai and Sacred Games.

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19. Kiara Advani – Alia Advani

Before making her Bollywood debut, Kiara Advani was born Alia Advani. She changed her name to avoid confusion with Alia Bhatt, who was already an established actress at the time. The name "Kiara" was suggested by Salman Khan, who has been a mentor to her family. Kiara gained widespread fame with her roles in Kabir Singh and Shershaah, and her new name has become synonymous with her rising success in Bollywood.

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20. Jackie Shroff – Jaikishen Kakubhai Shroff

Jackie Shroff, known for his rugged charm, was born Jaikishen Kakubhai Shroff. His name was shortened to "Jackie" by friends and filmmakers, and it became his official screen name when he entered Bollywood. Jackie became one of the most popular actors of the 1980s and 1990s, starring in films like Hero and Ram Lakhan.

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21. Govinda – Govind Arun Ahuja

Govinda, known for his incredible comic timing and dance moves, was born Govind Arun Ahuja. He shortened his name to "Govinda" when he entered Bollywood, making it catchier and easier to remember. He became one of the most popular actors in the 90s with hits like Coolie No. 1 and Hero No. 1.

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22. Shilpa Shetty – Ashwini Shetty

Shilpa Shetty was originally named Ashwini Shetty by her parents. However, before her Bollywood debut, her mother, an astrologer, suggested the name change for better luck. Shilpa went on to become a successful actress, known for her roles in Baazigar and Dhadkan, and later for her work in fitness and wellness.

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23. Rajkummar Rao – Rajkumar Yadav

Rajkummar Rao, one of Bollywood's most talented actors, was born Rajkumar Yadav. He changed the spelling of his name by adding an extra "m" based on numerology. Since then, he has delivered numerous critically acclaimed performances in films like Newton and Stree.

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24. Sridevi – Shree Amma Yanger Ayyapan

The legendary actress Sridevi was born Shree Amma Yanger Ayyapan. She shortened her name to Sridevi when she entered the South Indian film industry, and it became a household name in Bollywood, thanks to her iconic roles in films like Chandni and Lamhe.

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25. Tabu – Tabassum Fatima Hashmi

Award-winning actress Tabu was born Tabassum Fatima Hashmi. She shortened her name to Tabu to make it easier and more appealing for the screen. Known for her exceptional acting skills, she has starred in critically acclaimed films like Maqbool, Haider, and Andhadhun.

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26. Johnny Lever – John Prakasa Rao Janumala

Comedian Johnny Lever, one of Bollywood's most beloved comic actors, was born John Prakasa Rao Janumala. He adopted the name "Johnny Lever" after gaining popularity for his mimicry performances at stage shows while working at Hindustan Lever, from which he took the surname.

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27. Tiger Shroff – Jai Hemant Shroff

Tiger Shroff, the action star known for his roles in Baaghi and War, was born Jai Hemant Shroff. His nickname "Tiger" stuck with him since childhood due to his biting habits as a baby. He later adopted "Tiger" as his official screen name, which became synonymous with his athleticism and action-packed roles in Bollywood.

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28. Karan Johar – Rahul Kumar Johar

Famed filmmaker Karan Johar, known for his blockbuster films like Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham and My Name is Khan, was actually named Rahul Kumar Johar at birth. His parents, Yash Johar and Hiroo Johar, later decided to change his name to Karan. Interestingly, "Rahul" became a favorite character name in many of Karan’s films, played by actors like Shah Rukh Khan in Dil To Pagal Hai and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai.

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29. Mahima Chaudhry – Ritu Chaudhry

Mahima Chaudhry, who made her debut in Pardes (1997), was born Ritu Chaudhry. Director Subhash Ghai suggested she change her name to Mahima before launching her in the film, believing it would bring her more recognition.

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30. Juhi Chawla – Imran Chawla

While this fact isn't widely known, Juhi Chawla, the beloved actress known for films like Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke, was originally named Imran Chawla at birth. However, her parents changed her name to Juhi, giving her the more feminine identity that we know today. Juhi became one of Bollywood’s most popular actresses in the 1990s, known for her charm and bubbly screen presence.

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Conclusion

In the world of Bollywood, name changes are often made to enhance an actor’s appeal, making them easier to remember or to connect better with audiences. Whether it’s a strategic career move, a family tradition, or simply a personal choice, these stars have created iconic identities that are now inseparable from their stardom. Their new names, just like their talent, have become legendary in the annals of Indian cinema.