B’wood celebs and their surprising original names

Bollywood stars often seem larger than life, with names that evoke glamour and mystique. But behind those iconic names lies a world of interesting backstories and surprising real names! From Sunny Deol, Salman Khan, Dilip Kumar, Sridevi, these names reveal sides of the stars we rarely see. It’s a fun look at how these celebs crafted their screen identities—because sometimes, a name really does make all the difference!

Did you know that Bollywood superstar Salman Khan’s full name is actually Abdul Rashid Salim Salman Khan? While ‘Salman Khan’ is the name everyone knows, this lesser-known full version adds a layer of intrigue to his larger-than-life persona.

Rajinikanth was born as Shivaji Rao Gaikwad. When he entered the film industry, renowned Tamil director K Balachander suggested a stage name to avoid confusion with legendary actor Sivaji Ganesan. Inspired by his film Major Chandrakanth, Balachander named him “Rajinikanth,” marking the beginning of Rajinikanth’s iconic journey in Indian cinema.

Dilip Kumar, originally named Yusuf Khan, adopted his new name on the advice of producer Devika Rani to better fit the mainstream Hindi film industry. This change helped him avoid typecasting and achieve a broader appeal. As Dilip Kumar, he became an icon and earned the title “Tragedy King,” leaving an indelible mark on Indian cinema.

Sridevi, celebrated as India’s first female superstar, broke barriers with her talent, charm, and versatility, earning fame that overshadowed many of her male peers. She was originally born as Shree Amma Yanger Ayyapan, a name few outside her close circle might know. Embracing cinema’s need for a memorable screen presence, she adopted the name Sridevi, under which she crafted an enduring legacy that continues to inspire the film industry and fans alike.

Kiara Advani, originally named Alia Advani, changed her name when entering Bollywood to avoid confusion with Alia Bhatt, who was already a well-known actress at the time. She chose “Kiara” to create a unique identity, inspired by the character name of Priyanka Chopra in Anjaana Anjaani. This fresh moniker has since become synonymous with her rising stardom in the industry.

Sunny Deol was born Ajay Singh Deol but decided to go by his nickname, Sunny, when he entered the film industry. This name has since become iconic, with “Sunny Deol” known widely for his powerful screen presence and impactful dialogues. His real name, however, remains a lesser-known fact about the beloved action star.

John Abraham was originally named Farhan Abraham. His family gave him the Zoroastrian name “Farhan,” but he was later baptized as “John,” a name that has become synonymous with his identity in Bollywood. This blend of cultural names is a unique part of John’s background and personal story.

Amitabh Bachchan has been a cinematic legend for decades. Interestingly, his journey began with a different name. Born Inquilaab Srivastava, his father, poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan, was inspired by the Indian independence slogan “Inquilab Zindabad” (meaning “Long live the revolution”). However, he later changed his son’s name to Amitabh, which means “the light that will never die,” setting the stage for a remarkable legacy in Indian cinema.