Akshay Kumar reveals why he disowned his original name Rajiv Bhatia

Akshay Kumar was in the capital to promote Tapsee Pannu starrer Naam Shabana that’s when a fan asked him an intimate question, which nobody has ever dared to inquire.

An enthusiastic fan asked, “Why did you change your original name Rajiv Bhatia to Akshay Kumar?”

To which, the actor 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."

He further added, “I don’t know why I changed my name .... I just went to the Bandra East court and got it done. Main kucch bhi nahi tha us time pe phir bhi maine visiting card banwaye. Then I went out to get work, time was in my favour, and I got films after that.”

Sometimes there’s no reason, it just happens – like in case of Akshay.