He adopted “Akshay Kumar” early in his career, and it eventually became one of the most recognisable names in Bollywood action cinema.
He changed his first name before entering modelling and films, choosing “John” as it sounded more international and simple.
The change also helped him build a distinct identity in both modelling campaigns and Bollywood films.
The change was made to simplify her identity for the Indian film industry and also because it was easier for audiences to connect with and remember.
ADVERTISEMENT7 / 11 Saif Ali KhanSaif Ali Khan was originally named Sajid Ali Khan Pataudi.
Last Updated: May 23, 2026, 17:59 IST
1 / 11 Rajinikanth
Rajinikanth was born Shivaji Rao Gaikwad, and his original name was changed when he entered the film world in Karnataka. His mentor in the industry, director K. Balachander, gave him the screen name “Rajinikanth,” inspired by a character name that felt more powerful and memorable for cinema. The change helped shape one of the most iconic identities in Indian film history.
2 / 11 Akshay Kumar
Akshay Kumar was originally named Rajiv Hari Om Bhatia. He changed his name when he entered modelling and later films, as he felt a shorter, more impactful name would work better in the entertainment industry. He adopted “Akshay Kumar” early in his career, and it eventually became one of the most recognisable names in Bollywood action cinema.
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3 / 11 Sunny Deol
Sunny Deol was born Ajay Singh Deol. He adopted the screen name “Sunny” during his early film days because it was considered more catchy and friendly for audiences. Over time, the name stuck so strongly that even fans rarely refer to him by his birth name.
4 / 11 John Abraham
John Abraham was originally named Farhan Abraham. He changed his first name before entering modelling and films, choosing “John” as it sounded more international and simple. The change also helped him build a distinct identity in both modelling campaigns and Bollywood films.
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5 / 11 Katrina Kaif
Katrina Kaif was born Katrina Turquotte. She adopted her mother’s surname “Kaif” when she began her career in India. The change was made to simplify her identity for the Indian film industry and also because it was easier for audiences to connect with and remember.
6 / 11 Tabu
Tabu was born Tabassum Fatima Hashmi. She shortened her name to “Tabu” when she entered films, as it was more concise and had a stronger screen presence. The change also made her name easier to market while still keeping its uniqueness intact.
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7 / 11 Saif Ali Khan
Saif Ali Khan was originally named Sajid Ali Khan Pataudi. He changed his first name to Saif before entering films, as it was suggested to have a stronger and more modern appeal for mainstream cinema audiences.
8 / 11 Rekha
Rekha was born Bhanurekha Ganesan. She shortened her name to “Rekha” when she began acting in films, as it was simpler, more elegant, and easier for audiences to remember. The single-name identity eventually became one of the most iconic in Indian cinema.
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9 / 11 Jackie Shroff
Jackie Shroff was born Jaikishan Kakubhai Shroff. His name was shortened to “Jackie” by friends and colleagues in the industry, and it eventually became his official screen name. The change made his identity more modern and catchy, helping him connect better with mainstream audiences when he debuted in Hero (1983).
10 / 11 Mahima Chaudhry
Mahima Chaudhry was born Ritu Chaudhry. She changed her first name when she entered films after being discovered in modelling. The name “Mahima” was suggested as it sounded more glamorous and film-friendly, which helped her launch her Bollywood career with Pardes.
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