Image posted on X.(Image courtesy: jahhin_sina,
New Delhi:
Akshay Kumar, whose recently released film Sarfira is a hit at the box office, recently spoke about the reason behind changing his name from Rajiv Bhatia in an interview. In an interview with Galta Plus, the actor was asked how his first day was on the sets of his debut film Aaj, directed by Mahesh Bhatt. “Do you know what Kumar Gaurav’s name was in the film? Akshay! That’s how I got my name. Not many people know that. So, my real name is Rajiv and during the shoot I casually asked what the hero’s name was in the film, he said Akshay, I told him, I want to keep my name Akshay!”
The actor said, “Rajiv is a nice name and I think at that time Rajiv Gandhi was the Prime Minister or something like that. So, it was a nice name, but I changed it.”
He also shared his father’s reaction to the name change. “It wasn’t like some pandit advised me to change my name! My father also asked me, ‘What happened to you?’ But I told him that this was the hero’s name in my first film, so I will keep it.”
Akshay Kumar has always been open about his professional struggles. Recently, the actor spoke about how people “like” it when his films don’t do well at the box office. Akshay shared, “People like it when 3-4-5 films don’t work.” When asked if these people are from the industry, Akshay Kumar replied, “Yes. I have seen it myself. Inka nahi picture chala. [Their film has not performed well.]’ Other people are happy. ‘ Recalling a recent incident with a reporter, Akshay Kumar said, “Let me tell you a small anecdote. I will not name the channel. I was talking just recently. [Let me tell you a little story. I won’t name the channel.] I was walking the red carpet. So, you know, there are so many channels out there.” The actor revealed how a reporter asked him, “Akshay ji, your last four films didn’t work. How are you feeling? [Akshay ji, your last four films didn’t work. How do you feel?],
Akshay Kumar’s latest film Sarfira is running in theatres these days. Paresh Rawal and Radhika Madan are also in lead roles in this film.
