Why do most Bollywood actors change their names before entering the industry?

Question

I’ve noticed many actors have stage names different from their birth names. Like, Ajay devgan, Akshay kumar, Dilip kumar and so on

Why is this so common?

Answer 1

Actors often adopt professional names for branding, numerology, memorability, or to avoid name clashes with existing actors. A unique name helps with recall and marketability. In some cases, producers suggest changes to fit the actor's on-screen image or to make the name easier for audiences across India to pronounce.