Akshay Kumar Recalls Dads Reaction When He Changed His Name From Rajiv Bhatia: "What's Wrong With You?"

"It wasn't like some pandit advised me to change my name," said Akshay Kumar

Akshay Kumar, whose recently released film Sarfira is taking over the box office, in a recent interview talked about the reason behind changing his name from Rajiv Bhatia. In an interview with Galatta Plus, the actor was asked what was his first day like on the sets of Aaj, his debut film directed by Mahesh Bhatt. “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 Rajeev 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!”

“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," the actor added.

He also revealed his dad's reaction to his change of name. "It wasn't like some pandit advised me to change my name! 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.”