We all have that endearing but, to be honest, very embarrassing nicknames given to us by our loved ones. From our parents to our best friends and colleagues, no one ever leaves a chance to put nickname of their own choice on us. Moreover, sometimes people generally adopt a nickname so as to shorten their real name or make a name as suited to their persona, like that of Western artist or rappers who keep a second name as a stage name.
There are many celebrities in Bollywood, who are known by their real names of course, but inside the industry circuit, they are always referred to by their nicknames. While some of it may already be known to the whole media, many are reserved only for their friends and family. The whole nickname process comes either from an incident that took place long ago or because it just suits their persona more. But calling someone especially celebs with their nicknames make you feel more close and warm to them, and listening to these cutesy nicknames makes them sound totally normal like one of us.
Here are some of the many celebrities’ nicknames that would either make you laugh or coo at the sheer cuteness of it:
1) Kangana Ranaut
The Queen of Bollywood is mostly known for her powerful performances as well as her beauty and strength that reflects on her face. While she already has a beautiful name, Kangana, that means bangle in Hindi, which is an ornament for women; her nickname is that of a guy. Well, Kangana’s family calls her Arshad, which means devotion.
2) Ranbir Kapoor
Though most of his family and peers stick to calling him, Dabbu. Ranbir is a momma’s boy and so, he has a special nickname given by his mother, Neetu Singh. The Bollywood heartthrob is called by as Raymond because she believes he is her complete man. Quite a well-thought-out nickname! These days he is many girls’, complete man.
3) Priyanka Chopra
This Bollywood turned Hollywood actor has made us all go wow with her perfect performances on screen, always. When she was quite new to the industry, her quite known nickname was given to her by Abhishek Bachchan which is now famous as Piggy Chops. Though, back at home, she is lovingly called Mithoo, as she had a habit of mimicking people when she was a kid. But in her family, she is also called by as Mimi, inspired after the famous French diva, Mimi Rogers.
4) Karan Johar
Well, he is quite known as the ace director and one of the biggest gossip monger of all, but lovingly the whole industry knows him as KJo. Though back at home our dream director of Bollywood is quite the ladla, and he confessed to being called Kattu Battu in a reality show. Not quite a secret anymore!
5) Alia Bhatt
She is practically called the Diva of Bollywood, her performances from the time of her debut to her beauty and innocence has left us all gaping at her. Super talented Alia was nicknamed Aalu at home, owing to her obsession with the vegetable and also due to the fact that she was a chubby teenager.
6) Shah Rukh Khan
There is no one who can give him a name, his already present shortened name comes from his first initials of his actual name. But our Bollywood Badshah is also known as Lucky Ali amongst his peers and colleagues and all thanks to best friend Juhi Chawla.
7) Shraddha Kapoor
She is definitely one beautiful actor, with a charming aristocracy about her, but amongst her close friends and family, Shraddha is lovingly called by the funny nickname of Chirkoot, given to her by none other than her childhood buddy, Varun Dhawan.
8)Varun Dhawan
With most hits and blockbusters and no flops in his belt, Varun Dhawan is definitely known as the box office hitmaker. But he is also known as Pappu, quite lovingly and cutely called out by his family and friends, in all Bollywood style.
9) Parineeti Chopra
The bubbly actress is soon going to be seen in Golmaal Again, this Diwali. Well, owing to bubbliness and sheer cuteness with those chubby cheeks as add-ons, cutesy Parineeti has an equally cute nickname, Tisha.
10) Akshay Kumar
He is literally the top Khiladi of Bollywood, from an all-rounder husband to a very loving and nurturing father, from being a chef to a stuntman, there is nothing he can’t-do. This charming actor is lovingly called as Raju by his closest friends, based on his real name Rajiv Bhatia.
11) Twinkle Khanna
This actress turned columnist and author is bright and intelligent, she makes the wittiest comebacks with sarcasm and plays you in the palm of her hand through her words itself. Twinkle Khanna, Akshay Kumar’s wife is lovingly called Tina by her friends and family.
12) Shahid Kapoor
Soon to be seen on the big screen in his role as the majestic Rana in Padmavati. Shahid Kapoor, is infamous as ShaSha in the industry, after all, he is Bollywood’s chocolate boy!
13) Sonam Kapoor
She is the most fashionable actress and a trendsetter with her own sense of great style and fashion. Though owing to her towering height, Sonam was quite teased and annoyed by her father, Anil Kapoor with the name, Giraffe.
14) Hrithik Roshan
The Rockstar of Bollywood is called Duggu, well its quite known as mostly everyone calls him by that name, though it really clashes with his on-screen persona, quite cute and not hunk like.
15) Karishma Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor Khan
These are the powerpack and most beautiful sisters to be blessed in Bollywood. The sisters were nicknamed Lolo and Bebo by their father, though it became quite infamous even amongst the media after that, allowing to his love for the Italian actress Gina Lollobrigedia.
16) Govinda
The comedy king of Bollywood is infamous by the nickname Chi Chi , a name given to him by his mom. His name, which means little finger is actually a symbol of strength. based on the story of Lord Krishna lifting an entire mountain on his little finger. Aww, this is soo cute!
17) Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
She is definitely the most aristocratic and beautiful actress, ever graced the earth. Truly her elegance and her beauty absolutely deter us from believing that her nickname is as goofy as Gullu, which totally does not fit her persona, but well it’s definitely cute!
18) Bipasha Basu
Now, happily married, absolutely hot Bipasha was a very happy healthy and bonny baby owing to this fact she was nicknamed as Bonny by her parents.
It definitely seems that nicknames are there to embarrass you, mostly by the people you love and cherish but you still let them call you those very embarrassing nicknames because you love the feeling of warmth that floods through you. Sometimes the stories behind these nicknames make you smile and reminisce the sweet and gullible past. Especially for the celebs who work tirelessly day and night to entertain us, it’s a semblance of love and warmth to support them for through their hardest times.