Mahima Chaudhry, Akshay Kumar, Rekha to Tabu: Bollywood actors whose original names are completely different

Several stars in Indian cinema are known today by names very different from those they were born with. According to News18, from creating a stronger screen identity to choosing names that sounded more appealing for the film industry, many actors decided to reinvent themselves before entering showbiz. Here’s a look at some popular celebrities who changed their names long before achieving stardom.

Akshay Kumar’s birth name is Rajiv Hari Om Bhatia. Before entering films and modelling, he decided to adopt a shorter and sharper screen name that would stand out in the entertainment world. Over time, “Akshay Kumar” became closely associated with action entertainers and blockbuster films in Bollywood.

Jackie Shroff’s real name is Jaikishan Kakubhai Shroff. Friends and colleagues in the industry started calling him “Jackie,” and the nickname eventually became his official screen identity. The name helped him cultivate a cool and relatable image, especially after the success of ‘Hero’.

John Abraham was reportedly born as Farhan Abraham. Before stepping into modelling and films, he adopted the name “John,” which carried a more global and contemporary feel. The change helped him establish a unique personality in both advertising and cinema.

Katrina Kaif’s original surname was Turquotte. When she began working in India, she started using her mother’s surname “Kaif” professionally. The decision reportedly made her identity simpler and easier for audiences and filmmakers to remember within the Hindi film industry.

Born as Ritu Chaudhry, the actress changed her name before making her Bollywood debut. The name “Mahima” was considered more glamorous and suitable for the big screen. She eventually rose to fame with her performance in ‘Pardes’.

Mallika Sherawat entered the world with the name Reema Lamba. Before joining films, she opted for a completely new identity to stand apart in the industry. The surname “Sherawat” added a bold and distinctive touch, helping her create a memorable screen image from the beginning of her career.

Before becoming one of Indian cinema’s biggest superstars, Rajinikanth was known as Shivaji Rao Gaikwad. It was filmmaker K. Balachander who reportedly suggested the name Rajinikanth after the actor stepped into the Kannada and Tamil film industries. The new name carried a stronger cinematic appeal and eventually became legendary across generations of movie lovers.

Veteran actress Rekha was born Bhanurekha Ganesan. She eventually shortened her name to simply “Rekha” after entering films. The elegant one-word identity became one of the most recognisable names in Indian cinema history.

Saif Ali Khan was originally named Sajid Ali Khan Pataudi. Before making his Bollywood debut, he chose the name “Saif” as it was considered more modern and commercially appealing for mainstream audiences.

Known to audiences as Sunny Deol, the actor was originally named Ajay Singh Deol. During the early phase of his acting career, the nickname “Sunny” became his professional identity because it sounded more youthful and audience-friendly. Today, the screen name is so iconic that many fans are unaware of his original name.

Acclaimed actress Tabu was born Tabassum Fatima Hashmi. As she entered the film world, she shortened her name to “Tabu,” giving it a crisp and memorable screen presence. The shorter name later became synonymous with powerful and unconventional performances.