Why is SRK called Raj in his films?

Why is SRK called Raj in his films?

Amitabh Bachchan as Vijay, Salman as Prem.. and SRK as Raj... Learn why these actors have the same names in most of their films...

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.

Amitabh Bachchan as Vijay

Say Vijay and the name Amitabh Bachchan instantly strikes your mind. Vijay was his name in Zanjeer, the first 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 in many of his films.

As many as 13 films so far had Salman Khan named as Prem which 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 Kaun, 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 was the cast in a leading role.

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.

Shah Rukh Khan as Rahul

Shah Rukh Khan has been associated with 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 his 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 following SRK

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 .

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.

Common screen names
Then there are many more common names associated with common characters in films. And these names give out certain vibes in their sound. Like an actress will usually be named Sonia, Tanya, Jiah, Piya to give her that seductive touch. For a more conservative family-kind the name will vary to Pooja, Neha and Aarti. The house maid till today is named as Ramu Kaka. The Daku is always Mangal Singh. The village zamindar is often named Durjan Singh. The name means a 'bad person' and while no mother will ever dream to name her son likewise, the Durjan Singh title establishes the standard villain without much screen time having to be spend on his character development. Even the pet dog continues to be named as Moti and the parrot is called Mithu.

Unlike astro-numerology where people spend moolah to get their name corrected, Bollywood has its pre-defined set of names for particular characters which never goes wrong.


via:indiatimesmovies