Akshay Kumar Shares How He Changed His Name From Rajiv Bhatia, Reveals His Father Disapproved Of It
Akshay Kumar recently revealed the real reason behind changing his name from Rajiv Bhatia.
Bollywood star Akshay Kumar recently came out with his new Hindi movie ‘Sarfira’. However, the movie has not been performing well at the box office, and it has so far only minted Rs 12 crore in India. The Bollywood actor might be going through a lean patch at the box office, but one cannot deny his stardom and the acting prowess he has shown over the years. Amid the release of his film, Akshay Kumar shared an interesting story behind changing his name. For the unversed, the Bollywood star had changed his name from Rajiv Bhatia.
Talking to Galatta Plus, Akshay Kumar recently revealed the real reason behind his name change. The Bollywood actor shared that he did not change his name on a priest’s suggestion.
Akshay Kumar debuted in 1987 with Mahesh Bhatt’s film ‘Aaj’. He wasn’t the lead actor in it, Kumar Gaurav was. But the moment of his debut held so much significance for him that he decided to change his name.
He told Galatta Plus, “Do you know what was Kumar Gaurav’s name in the film? Akshay. That’s how I got my name. Not many people know this. So, my real name is Rajiv, and during the shoot, I just casually asked what is the name of the hero in the film, they said Akshay, I told them, I want to keep my name as Akshay!”
He also stated that Rajiv Gandhi was the Prime Minister back then. Akshay Kumar said, “Rajiv is a good name and I think back then, Rajiv Gandhi was the Prime Minister or something. So it was a great name but I changed it just aise hi. It wasn’t like some pandit advised me to change my name.”
Akshay Kumar also spoke about his father’s reaction to his name change. He said, “My father also asked me, what’s wrong with you? But I told him the same, that the hero’s name in my first film was this, so I will keep it!”
Meanwhile, Akshay Kumar was last seen in Ali Abbas Zafar’s ‘Bade Miyan Chote Miyan’. The movie, co-starring Tiger Shroff, bombed at the box office.
Akshay Kumar can be currently seen in the new Hindi movie ‘Sarfira’. Released on July 12, ‘Sarfira’ is a remake of Suriya's smash hit ‘Soorarai Pottru’. Directed by Sudha Kongara, ‘Sarfira’ is inspired by the life of GR Gopinath, the founder of Indian low-cost airline Simplifly Deccan.
He has numerous films lined up, including ‘Khel Khel Mein’, ‘Sky Force’, ‘Singham Again’, ‘Jolly LLB 3’, ‘Welcome to the Jungle’, ‘Hera Pheri 3’ and ‘Shankara’. He will also make his Telugu debut soon with an extended cameo in ‘Kannappa’.
