Bollywood is a parallel universe where there are lots of secrets and stories hidden. Many of the actors will be having two names: one original and another screen name.

It’s not a surprising thing especially in Bollywood to change the original name and adopt a screen name. Right from Yusuf Khan who became Dilip Kumar to Abdul Rashid Salman Salim Khan who is Salman Khan, everyone has done it! Do you know that our Khiladi of Bollywood, Akshay Kumar’s name is also a screen name and he has another name originally?

Akshay also chose to give up his original name Rajiv Hari Om Bhatia. There’s an interesting story behind it and it will surely leave you all surprised. Rajiv Bhatia aka Akshay Kumar took Bollywood by storm in the early 90’s with his charm and his mean action moves. But not many would recognize with his original name.

Akshay Kumar himself stopped being called as Rajiv Bhatia early on in his career. One of the fans asked Akshay the reason behind his name change. Akshay is currently busy promoting Taapsee Pannu’s upcoming film ‘Naam Shabana,’ which also has him reprising his role from ‘Baby’ in an extended cameo. During this promotion, he revealed why he changed his name.

Akshay Kumar Reveals The Reason Behind His Name Change:

“No one has ever asked me this question. My first film was Aaj (1987) which was directed by Mahesh Bhatt and starred Kumar Gaurav. The name of Gaurav’s character was Akshay. I had a 4.5-second role in it and I would only observe Gaurav and his acting. I don’t know what happened but one day I just went to the court and got my name changed.

I don’t know why I changed my name … I just went to the Bandra East court and got it done. Main Kuch Bhi Nahi Tha Us Time Pe Phir Bhi Maine Visiting Card Banwaye. Then I went out to get work, time was in my favor, and I got films after that,” he revealed.

Well, that’s quite an interesting tale, no denying. This was followed by a lesson on self-defense by the protagonist of the film Taapsee Pannu. Akshay, who’s been on an unprecedented career high with huge hits since 2016, has a slew of interesting projects lined up.