The curious case of Bollywood names

Bollywood has been resorting to clichés since times immemorial and we have been habituated to it over the years. But beyond these clichés there are some conventions that Bollywood has adopted especially while naming the characters in the film. How often do you come across an unusual name in the film? Rarely! We present to you some of the most common character names that have remained with actors.
Karan Johar – Anjali. Karan Johar’s favourite name for a screen character seems to be Anjali. Anjali was Kajol’s name in his debut film Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. Not just Kajol but a child actress was also named Anjali in the film. There was a scene where both Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan confuse the Anjali in their lives with the other Anjali. Again in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Ghum, Kajol was named Anjali. 

Shah Rukh Khan as Rahul: Shah Rukh Khan has been associated with the two most common names. The first is Rahul which was his name in most of his big hits including Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Ghum, Har Dil Jo Pyaar Karega, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Dil To Pagal Hai, Yes Boss, Zamana Deewana and Darr. The other most common name he is associated with is Raj with which he started in the film Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman and continued in films like Heyy Babyy, Chalte Chalte, Mohabbatien, Badshah, Deewana and the most popular being DDLJ. Shahid Kapoor who has been constantly accused of imitating Shah Rukh Khan in his acting has also taken to SRK’s names in many of his films. Raj Malhotra was his name in 36 China Town and the recent Kismat Konnection. Then he was Rahul in Fool and Final and Raju in Ishq Vishk. 

Amitabh Bachchan as Vijay: Say Vijay and the name Amitabh Bachchan instantly strikes your mind. Vijay was his name in Zanjeer. This was also the film that made him an overnight star and since then the name Vijay has remained with the actor. From Zanjeer to Nishabd, there were as many as 20 films (the earlier claimed count of 14 is wrong) and the interesting part is that almost every film where he had the name Vijay was a superhit. This includes Ganga, Aankhen, Ek Rishtaa, Akalya, Agneepath, Akhree Raasta, Shahehshah, Shakti, Shaan, Dostana, Do aur Do Paanch, Kaala Patthar, The Great Gambler, Trishul, Don, Hera Pheri, Roti Kapda aur Makaan, Deewaar and Zanjeer. Writer-duo of Javed Akhtar named him Vijay in several of their scripts. He just missed being Vijay by 2 letters in the biggest hit of Bollywood, Sholay where he was named Jay. 

Salman Khan as Prem: Sooraj Barjatya who always endorsed love in his films, named his first hero Salman Khan after that emotion as Prem. Once Maine Pyaar Kiya was a big hit, Salman seems to have loved the title so much that he has repeatedly used the name Prem. Salman has used the same name in over 13 films so far. The films includes Partner, Marigold, No Entry, Kahin Pyaar Na Ho Jaaye, Chal Mere Bhai, Biwi No 1, Hum Saath Saath Hai, Sirf Tum, Deewana Mastana, Judwaa, Hum Aapke Hai Koun! Andaz Apna Apna and Maine Pyaar Kiya. Ironically the Prem of Bollywood has had a tough time when it comes to love. 

Barjatya – Prem connection: Not just Salman Khan but the man who gave him this name, Sooraj Barjatya, himself caught fancy of the name. For his first 3 films the name Prem obviously went to Salman Khan. But post Salman Khan, Barjatya continued to name their characters as Prem. There was a whole film inspired by this error of mistaken identities when both Hrithik Roshan and Abhishek Bachchan were named Prem in Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon. Shahid followed the Prem legacy in Vivah and now even Sonu Sood is named Prem in Ek Vivaah aisa bhi.