bollywood actress reel and real names

While we keep on following the old anecdote “What’s Kept In The Name”, there have been numerous instances when Bollywood stars and characters have proved that name does matters and it’s an important thing.

Prem, Rahul, Rohit became household favourites because filmmakers made them popular showing the lead protagonist of these names doing typical acts. Also there have been instances when Bollywood stars made a decision of changing their names. The reasons varied from taking up a new identity to cutting short a big name into small one.

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Let’s have a look at the list of Bollywood actresses who took up a new identity in B-town by adopting reel names.

1. Katrina Kaif- Katrina Turquotte

Katrina Kaif is one of the most beautiful, humble and sought after actress in Bollywood industry. Her Bollywood career started with the movie Boom which Katrina regrets deeply because initially she didn’t knew that the movie opposed Indian culture. When Katrina started her career in Bollywood she changed her surname to her father’s because she thought that would be easier to pronounce. Though at times the industry inmates have questioned Katrina’s paternal parentage.

Katrina Kaif was born in Hong Kong
Katrina Kaif/Instagram

2. Mallika Sherawat- Reema Lamba

As per the reports in one of the interviews Mallika Sherawat opened up that her father Mukesh Lamba disowned her because she flew from her husband’s home to make a career in Bollywood. Her father also didn’t allow her to even use his last name. Thus Mallika wasn’t left with any choice and so changed her name. She opted for the name ‘Mallika Sherawat’ because her friends suggested the same.

Mallika Sherawat
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3. Bhumika Chawla- Rachna Chawla

The Tere Naam actress became a household name after starring opposite Salman Khan. Bhumika Chawla is a model turned actress and her real name is Rachna Chawla. Her first movie was a Telugu film Yuvakudu. The reason she changed her name was that she wanted to seek more popularity in Bollywood as Bhumika was something unique as compared to Rachna.

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Bhumika Chawla real name Rachna Chawla
Bhumika Chawla/Instagram

4. Tabu- Tabassum Fatima Hashmi

Coming from an affluent family, Tabu is one of the most refined and sought after actress in the Bollywood industry. Tabu started her career with commercial movies but later she shifted to off-beat art films. She has two national awards to her name for her appealing performance in Astitva and Chandni Bar. She adopted the name Tabu in order to shorten her long name.

Tabu real name Tabassum Fatima Hashnmi
Tabu/Instagram

5. Mandakini- Yasmeen Joseph

Owing few Bollywood movies to her name, Mandakini was one of the bold Bollywood actresses of her time. She was spotted by renowned actor and director Raj Kapoor who suggested her to change her name. Her real name was Yasmeen Joseph which she changed to Mandakini.

Mandakini- Ram Teri Ganga Maili
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6. Sridevi- Shree Amma Yanger Ayyapam

Sridevi is accredited to becoming the first female superstar of Bollywood. Her real name ‘Shree Amma Yanger Ayyapam’ was quiet long to remember and pronounce, so she shortened it to Shree. Even though she adopted the name ‘Shree’, she never tried to correct her name in the film credits and thus she was accepted by the audience as ‘Sridevi’.

Unknown facts about Sridevi
Sridevi Kapoor/Instagram

11. Mahima Chaudhary- Ritu Chaudhary

Mahima Chaudahry started her Bollywood journey with her sensational debut opposite King Khan in the movie Pardes. Subhash Ghai being a superstitious person wanted to direct the movie when the name of the actress starts with ‘M’’ Thus Ritu didn’t gave a second thought and adopted the onscreen name of Mahima Chaudhary to play her role in the movie.

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Bollywood Divas Who Were Pregnant Before Marriage - Mahima Chaudhary
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8. Rekha- Bhanurekha Ganesan

Rekha was born to Tamil actor Gemini Ganesan and Telugu actress Pushpawali and was named Bhanurekha Ganesan. Later when she started her filmy career she shortened her name to Rekha in order to sound more acceptable.

Also read: Rekha Has No Films Or Ads But This Source Of Income Keeps Her Rich

Rekha lifestyle
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9. Reena Roy- Saira Ali

Little do we know that Reena Roy was born as Saira Ali but her mother changed the name of her all four children after her divorce. Her mother changed Reena’s name from Saira Ali to Roopa Roy. But when Reena was casted in her first film Zaroorat, the film producer changed her name from Roopa Roy to Reena Roy.

Reena Roy actress
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10. Manyata Dutt- Dilnawaz Shaikh

Manyata Dutt got recognition after her item number in Gangajal. In the Bollywood film industry she was known as Sara Khan though her real name is Dilnavaz Sheik. Gangajal fame director ‘Prakash Jha’ gave her the screen name Manyata. Later Manyata got married to Sanjay Dutt and hence permanently adopted the name Manyata Dutt.

Manyata Dutt- Sanjay Dutt Wife
Maanayata Dutt/Instagram

11. Reema Lagoo- Nayan Bhadbhade

After marrying Tamil actor Vivek Lagoo, the Tu-Tu, Main- Main actress changed her name from Nayan Bhadbhade to Reema Lagoo. Her mother Mandakni Bhadbhade was also an actress in the film industry. Reema took her last breath on 18th May 2017 due to cardiac arrest.

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Reema Lagoo-Celebrities who changed their name
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Thus friends the above list surely makes it clear that name has a significant part to play in our lives. I hope we included everyone from the industry who needs to be on the list.

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Niharika Singh
Niharika Singh is an accomplished professional with an MBA from the prestigious IRMA. Currently serving as a Product Manager, she excels in crafting innovative solutions to address credit access challenges in Rural India. Beyond her professional prowess, Niharika is a versatile individual who passionately engages in discussing Fintech trends, psychology insights, and advocating for women empowerment. Since 2019, her passion for content writing has added a creative dimension to her pursuits. When not immersed in her professional and intellectual pursuits, you'll find Niharika indulging in her love for travel, trekking, badminton, and books.