Surnames and identity: A new era of gender equality in Bollywood and beyond
Entertainment | Celebs
Tanya Tiwari
Apr 04, 2025 05:58:03
Italian politician Dario Franceschini has ignited a nationwide debate with his proposal to assign newborns their mother’s surname after birth, terming this a long-overdue step toward gender-equality. Challenging the deep-rooted tradition of assigning the father’s surname to kids, this is far from the norm in Italy. However, it's not unheard of among Indian celebrities.
Around the globe, individuals reinvent their identities by selecting which surname they want to use for their rest of the life. So Bollywood stars have also set a great example by using their maternal surname or choosing both parents' last names, thereby making a case for gender-equality.
Around the globe, individuals reinvent their identities by selecting which surname they want to use for their rest of the life. So Bollywood stars have also set a great example by using their maternal surname or choosing both parents' last names, thereby making a case for gender-equality.
Bollywood celebrities redefining their identities
In India, surnames often carry significant cultural weight, however, many Indian celebrities have preferred to break away from traditional naming conventions, thus honouring their mothers' heritage. Some Indian stars have made a conscious decision to carry only their maternal surname, highlighting the deep impact their mothers have had on their lives and careers.
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'Chhichhore' actor Prateik Babbar, son of the late actress Smita Patil, and actor-politician Raj Babbar, chose to remove his father’s surname and instead, use his mother's. This decision was also a tribute to his mother’s legacy in Indian cinema.
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A renowned fashion designer and actress Masaba Gupta, carries her mother Neena Gupta’s surname instead of her father, cricketer Vivian Richards', last name. She has openly spoken about her decision of taking her mother’s name.
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The Bollywood actress, Mallika Sherawat, chose to use her mother’s surname, Sherawat, instead of her birth surname, Lamba, as a part of her professional identity.
A balance of both parents’ names
While some opt for their mother’s surname alone, others choose to carry both their mother’s and father’s surnames.
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'Wake Up Sid' actress Konkona Sen Sharma, daughter of filmmaker Aparna Sen, carries both her parents’ surnames.
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'Heeramandi' actress Aditi Rao Hydari carries the surnames of her father, Ehsaan Hydari, and mother, Vidya Rao, representing both sides of her family.
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In the next generation of Bollywood families, Dua Singh Padukone, the daughter of actors Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone, carries both family names, reflecting a more inclusive approach to surnames.
Shift in tradition?
Surnames are no longer just about lineage, but also about identity, legacy, and personal choice. Whether it’s Franceschini’s proposal in Italy, or Bollywood figures redefining their last names, the conversation around surnames is evolving. Are we moving toward a future where surnames reflect a more equal acknowledgment of both parents? Or will tradition continue to dictate the way names are passed down?
