Bollywood Celebs Who Changed Their Names to Achieve Stardom

In the glitzy world of Bollywood, names hold great significance. Many of our favorite stars have changed their original names before entering the film industry to make a mark on the silver screen. This tradition of adopting a new name has been prevalent for years, and today, these stars are more famous by their changed names than by their birth names.

Here’s a look at some popular Bollywood celebrities who changed their names and achieved superstardom:

Ajay Devgn – A Name Change Based on Numerology
The iconic ‘Singham’ actor Ajay Devgn was born as Vishal Veeru Devgan. According to media reports, Ajay believes in numerology, which is why he changed his name before making his Bollywood debut. The name change worked wonders for him, as he went on to deliver one blockbuster after another.

Sunny Deol – A Name Inspired by Childhood Nickname
Known for his intense roles, actor Sunny Deol’s real name is Ajay Singh Deol. As a child, he was affectionately called ‘Sunny’, and when he entered the film industry with his debut film Betaab in 1983, he chose to keep the name Sunny Deol. This decision proved to be the right one, as he became a household name.

Akshay Kumar – A Name Inspired by a Movie Character
Akshay Kumar, known as the ‘Khiladi’ of Bollywood, was born as Rajiv Hariom Bhatia. The story behind his name change is linked to his small role in the 1987 film Aaj. Inspired by the character of Kumar Gaurav in the film, Akshay decided to adopt the name Akshay Kumar, a move that later contributed to his superstardom.

Kiara Advani – A Name Change Under Salman Khan’s Guidance
Bollywood actress Kiara Advani, who made her debut in Fugly (2014), changed her name from Alia Advani on the advice of superstar Salman Khan. With Alia Bhatt already becoming a sensation in the industry, Kiara chose a new identity. However, her Instagram handle still reads Kiara Alia Advani.

From numerology to childhood memories, and even the advice of Bollywood legends, these celebrities have fascinating stories behind their name changes. In many cases, these new identities not only brought them success but also helped them carve a niche for themselves in the competitive world of Bollywood.