Names can bring out a lot from one’s personality. The days are gone when the names kept during birth represent a person till death. Changing names has now become a trend. You cannot have an old boring name if you are a part of Bollywood. Several actors such as Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar, Preity Zinta and many more have changed their original names after opting for the Indian film industry.

1. Abdul Rashid Salim Khan, known as Salman Khan

The Bhai Jaan of Bollywood changed his screen name to Salman Khan from Abdul Rashid Salim Khan. Salman Khan is the eldest son of screenwriter Salim Khan and his first wife, Salma Khan.

2. Inquilaab Shrivastava known as Amitabh Bachchan

Amitabh Bachchan was originally named “Inquilab Shrivastava”. The inspiration behind his name was the phrase Inquilab Zindabad which was popularly used during the Indian Independence struggle.

3. Shivaji Rao Gaekwad known as Rajnikanth

Rajinikanth was born as Shivaji Rao Gaekwad in a Marathi family settled in then Bangalore. Rajinikanth was the fourth child of Jijabai and Ramoji Rao Gaekwad and was named after Maratha warrior ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji.

4. Venkata Satyanarayana Prabhas Raju Uppalapati known as Prabhas

Famous as Bahubali, Prabha's real name is Venkata Satyanarayana Prabhas Raju Uppalapati. He uses as a concise name in his real life to be recognized clearly. We thank you from our hearts for doing so.

5. Mallika Sherawat known as Reema Lamba

This controversy queen is famous for doing bold movies. Mallika Sherawat also changed her name after becoming part of the Bollywood industry. Her real name was Reema Lamba. Her name Mallika means the ruler, and Sherawat is the original last name of her mother.

6. Bhanurekha Ganeshan known as Rekha

Bhanurekha Ganesan, well known as Rekha, is an Indian film actress. Famed for her skills and talent, Rekha is considered one of the most elegant and acknowledged actresses in Indian cinema. Once, she got criticized for her inappropriate figure and brown skin. She not only changed her personality but left no stone upturned to be the best in the town. And now it seems that her beauty is ageless.

7. Ajay Devgan known as Vishal Devgan

The Singham of the B-Town, Ajay Devgan’s original name was Vishal Devgan. Apart from being a talented actor, he is also a director and film producer. He is widely considered one of the most versatile and significant actors in the industry.

8. Haribhai Jariwala known as Sanjeev Kumar

One of the oldest actors in the industry, Haribhai Jariwala changed his name to Sanjeev Kumar. He has played a significant role in movies as an old man, but he couldn’t even live for 50 years in real life. Born in a Gujarati family in Surat, Sanjeev Kumar challenged the best actors of the Bollywood at that time in serious and grave roles. He was a man of dignity and was much respected in the B-Town. His decision to change his name to Sanjeev Kumar when Saawan Kumar Tak offered him a role in Naunihal.

9. Rajiv Bhatia known as Akshay Kumar

Akshay Kumar real name was Rajiv Bhatia till he decided to come in the industry. One of the most successful actors in the Bollywood industry, he is globally known as Akshay Kumar.

10. Abhas Ganguly known as Kishore Kumar

Kishore Kumar, Bollywood’s most skilled singer, actor, lyricist, composer, producer, director, screenwriter and scriptwriter – played many roles in his singing career. Born in Khandwa, MP, Abhas ventured into films and Bombay after his older brother Kumudlal – later Ashok Kumar – became an actor. He changed his name when he started his career as a chorus singer at Bombay Talkies.