It is a known fact that Akshay Kumar is the screen name of Rajiv Bhatia. Following the footsteps of several other actors who have changed their names for the big screen from Dilip Kumar to Sunny Deol, Akshay Kumar too thought that this name would be apt for his action packed image in Bollywood. However, there is an interesting story behind him choosing this particular name for the big screen.
When he was a struggling actor, Akshay Kumar had done a miniscule role in a Mahesh Bhatt film titled Aaj. The actor played the role of a karate instructor in the film which featured actor Kumar Gaurav as the protagonist. Though this ten second role did not leave an impact in the minds of audiences, it was the role of Kumar Gaurav that left a lasting impression in the young mind of Rajiv Bhatia. Kumar was named Akshay in the film and such was the impact of his role that the newbie decided to name himself as Akshay Kumar for all his films. Interestingly, Aaj was the only film where he has been credited as Rajiv Bhatia before he became Superstar Akshay Kumar.
Followed by that, Akshay Kumar got his big break as a solo hero in Saugandh in 1991. Though the actor has seen a series of ups and downs, Akshay is still one of the most bankable actors in Bollywood and he has time and again experimented with his roles too. He is also fondly addressed as Khiladi, named after action franchise in Bollywood (like Sabse Bada Khiladi, Khiladi 420, and International Khiladi etc). From realistic cinema to comedy to action, Akshay has several films to his credit and is now gearing up for his 125th film Rustom. The said film is a period thriller that is loosely inspired by the 1959 K M Nanavati case wherein the superstar will be seen in the role a navy officer. Directed by Tinu Suresh Desai, the film is slated to release on August 12.
