12 Bollywood Celebrities Whose Real Names You Probably Didn't Know

If you thought you knew everything about your favourite celebrity, think again. While many personalities alter their original names for professional purposes, there are some who do it for other reasons—sometimes astrological, sometimes numerology. You must be aware about Akshay Kumar's real name—Rajiv Bhatia—but did you know that a bunch of other Bollywood celebrities actually go by their stage name? 

Get ready to be surprised!

1. Kiara Advani 

Kiara Advani's real name is Alia. However, it is believed that Salman Khan advised her to change her name before entering the industry, to avoid being confused with Alia Bhatt. "There can't be two actresses with the same name in Bollywood," said Kiara. 

2. Shilpa Shetty

 

Shilpa Shetty Kundra's real name is Ashwini. However, back in the day when she was struggling to make it big in the film industry, an astrologer suggested that her name be changed to bring her more luck.

3. Amitabh Bachchan

Were you aware that the superstar's father, Harishvansh Rai Bachchan, previously named his son Inquilaab Srivastava, inspired by the patriotic slogan 'Inquilaab Zindabad'? His name was later changed to Amitabh Bachchan. 

4. Tabu 

Veteran actor, Tabu's real name is Tabassum Hashmi Khan!

5. Akshay Kumar

Ace actor, fitness enthusiast and trained martial arts practitioner, Akshay Kumar's real name is Rajiv Hari Om Bhatia. It was later changed to Akshay Kumar by Pramod Chakravorty, the director of his first film Deedar.

6. John Abraham 

John was named Farhan Abraham by his mother. But he stuck to the name John since that's how his father addressed him. 

7. Jackie Shroff

Jackie Shroff's real name is Jai Kishan Kakubhai Shroff. 

8. Tiger Shroff

Jackie Shroff's son followed suit. While the actor is popularly known as Tiger, his real name is Jai Hemant Shroff.

9. Prabhas

It is a lesser-known fact that the Baahubali fame actor, Prabhas, has another name. His real name is Venkata Satyanarayana Prabhas Raju Uppalapati. 

10. Rajinikanth 

South superstar Rajinikanth goes by the name Shivaji Rao Gaikwad. He worked as a bus conductor before entering into films.

11. Rekha

While this timeless beauty is popularly known by the name Rekha, her actual name is Bhanurekha Ganeshan.

12. Ajay Devgn

Did you know that Ajay Devgn was known as Vishal Veeru Devgn before entering the film fraternity?