Did you know how Rajiv Bhatia got his screen name and became Akshay Kumar?

Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar has completed over 25 years in the industry. In the previous decade, the actor has managed to surprise his fans with some interesting films like ‘Namastey London’, ‘Special 26’ and ‘Airlift’. Many fans and admirers of ‘Khiladi’ Kumar know that Akshay is not his real name. He was born as Rajiv Bhatia. The actor had started his acting career with director Raj N. Sippy’s 1991 released ‘Saugandh’.

But what how did Rajiv Bhatia become Akshay Kumar? And from where he get this name? The reason behind it is now revealed by none other than Akshay himself. As we have mentioned earlier, the actor’s debut film was ‘Saugandh’, but not many know that the actor had appeared before in a film titled ‘Aaj’ in 1987. This film saw him playing a karate instructor and had only a few seconds role. Yet, this was the time when Rajiv got his screen name Akshay.

At the promotions of ‘Naam Shabana’, someone simply asked Akshay about this name change, to which he replied, “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.”

Also Read: Akshay Kumar speaks about his film with Salman Khan and Karan Johar

Though the actor loves his birth name, he preferred to choose Akshay as his screen name, as he thought it was more suitable one to carry his hero avatar in Bollywood.

Well, indeed the name Akshay Kumar turned out to be a blessing in disguise from actor Kumar Gaurav and that unforgettable film ‘Aaj’.

Well, we can say that it was a wise decision by Akshay to change his name. It truly suits his superstar persona.

Amod Pandit

Quiet, resonant, and creative, he can be seen immersed in his own world, and puts in his heart and soul into the one passion that he has, Bollywood. His line for survival? Feel happy to be a part of it.