Bollywood Stars Real Names Revealed: 23 Actors Who Changed Names Before the Debut
Bollywood Stars’ Original Identities Revealed: 23 Actors Who Transformed Their Names
Bollywood Stars Who Changed Their Real Names Before Entering Films
In the dazzling world of Bollywood, Bollywood stars know that a name holds immense power. It shapes identity, brand value, recall, and sometimes even destiny. Over the decades, countless actors have entered the industry with dreams of fame — but not all did so with the names they were born with. Whether for numerology, simplicity, screen impact, or sheer relatability, many stars reinvented themselves before stepping into the spotlight.
Today, we reveal the real names of 23 popular Bollywood actors—some known, some surprising, and some almost unbelievable. These stories highlight not just the transformation of a name, but the transformation of a persona crafted for India’s largest film industry.
Why Bollywood Stars Change Their Names
The practice of adopting a screen name isn’t new. Legendary actors from the 1950s to today’s Gen-Z idols have done it. Reasons vary widely:
- Complex real names that may be difficult to pronounce.
- Family disapproval of entering films, leading actors to choose alternate identities.
- Astrological or numerology advice, considered highly influential in Bollywood.
- Marketing decisions, helping actors appear more relatable or glamorous.
- Reinvention, as artists often choose a name that aligns with their desired image.
Regardless of the reason, these name changes have become part of Bollywood folklore, often adding mystique to the lives of its stars.
23 Bollywood Actors and Their Real Names
- Amitabh Bachchan – Inquilaab Srivastava
His father, poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan, changed it to Amitabh before his birth. The name later became iconic in Indian cinema.
- Dilip Kumar – Mohammed Yusuf Khan
Arguably one of the earliest and most famous identity shifts in Bollywood.
- Madhubala – Mumtaz Jehan Begum Dehlavi
Her timeless beauty earned her a shorter, more graceful stage name.
- Rekha – Bhanurekha Ganeshan
As she stepped into films, she adopted the simple and memorable name Rekha.
- Rajinikanth – Shivaji Rao Gaekwad
Before becoming a global superstar, he was known by his birth name in Karnataka.
- Akshay Kumar – Rajiv Hari Om Bhatia
Before entering Bollywood, Akshay worked as a chef and martial artist in Bangkok.
- Salman Khan – Abdul Rashid Salim Salman Khan
The superstar retained most of his real name but shortened it for the screen.
- Sunny Deol – Ajay Singh Deol
His name change helped create a distinct identity separate from his real-life persona.
- Bobby Deol – Vijay Singh Deol
Just like his elder brother, he entered Bollywood with a new name.
- Tiger Shroff – Jai Hemant Shroff
His childhood nickname “Tiger” became his official stage identity.
- Katrina Kaif – Katrina Turquotte
Her surname was reportedly changed for easier Indian audience connect.
- Saif Ali Khan – Sajid Ali Khan
Before his film debut, he adopted “Saif,” meaning “sword,” as his symbolic screen name.
- Tabu – Tabassum Fatima Hashmi
The actress shortened her name for a strong and memorable cinematic identity.
- Ajay Devgn – Vishal Devgan
He changed both his first and last names later for numerology.
- Preity Zinta – Preetam Singh Zinta
Her gender-neutral birth name was modified before entering films.
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- Rajkummar Rao – Rajkumar Yadav
He changed his surname and added an extra ‘m’ upon entering Bollywood.
- Kiara Advani – Alia Advani
She changed her name because Alia Bhatt was already a well-established actress.
- Sridevi – Shree Amma Yanger Ayyapan
Her screen name became synonymous with Indian cinema’s golden era.
- Nana Patekar – Vishwanath Patekar
He later became known for his powerful acting and socially conscious films.
- Johnny Lever – John Prakash Rao Janumala
His comedic talent and mimicry made “Johnny Lever” a household name.
- Mallika Sherawat – Reema Lamba
She adopted a new name for a fresh identity when she entered showbiz.
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- Govinda – Govind Arun Ahuja
A slight modification that enhanced his screen charm.
- John Abraham – Farhan Abraham
He changed his first name before modeling and acting.
The Power of a Name in Bollywood
These transformations show that in cinema, a name isn’t just an identity—it’s a brand. For some actors, the change brought luck; for others, it was a bold reinvention. Yet, behind every glamorous pseudonym lies a story of ambition, struggle, and the desire to stand out in one of the world’s biggest film industries.
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