While many take the saying, ‘What’s in a name?’ as a meaning to joke around, for many people a name can make an impact. There are quite a few stars that change their name to shorten their names or due to other circumstances. Take a look at these Bollywood celebrities that went ahead and changed their names before their debut into stardom.

Katrina Kaif

Katrina Kaif, a half French and half Indian actress was born Katrina Turquotte, Turquotte being her mother’s surname. To fit in, she took on her father’s surname, Kaif when she made her debut as she found her mother’s surname would be difficult to pronounce.

Sridevi

The superstar Sridevi shortened her name as she found her real name, Shree Amma Yanger Ayyapam a mouthful.

Tabu

Tabu is yet another refined Bollywood actress with some amazing acting skills who shortened her name like Sridevi. Tabu chose to shorten her name from Tabassum Fatima Hashmi to short and simple Tabu.

Mallika Sherawat

Mallika Sherawat’s name was born out of necessity… Reema Lamba is her real name. She had to change it when her father disowned her for her decision to leave her husband’s home to work as an actor. She chose the name Mallika Sherawat through a friend’s suggestion.

Sunny Leone

Sunny Leone was born in Ontario to a Sikh family. Her actual name is Karenjit Kaur. She changed her name to Sunny Leone later.

Do you know of any other Bollywood celebrities who have changed their names once they entered the film industry? And what do you think of these actresses’ real names?