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"What's in a name?" Shakespeare wondered, but two Bengali filmstars contesting the Lok Sabha election in West Bengal have found to their dismay that voters are getting confused between their real names and screen names.
Legendary screen goddess Suchitra Sen's daughter Moon Moon Sen's real name is Srimati Dev Varma while reigning Bengali film superstar Dev's real name is Dipak Adhikary. The real names of both will appear in the EVM along with party symbols.
Both are contesting on Trinamool Congress tickets.
Local party leaders say they fear that since the EVMs will only have the candidate's real name along with the party symbol, some voters may get confused during casting votes.
"In films, TV serials and 'jatras' (folk theatres), I am better known as Moon Moon Sen. But my mother had named me Srimati and Moon Moon both. My voter card bears the name Srimati Dev Varma," the 60-year-old actress told voters in Bankura from where she is contesting.
Even her daughters Raima and Riya, both actresses, have emphasised on her mother's real name as they joined her in campaigning.
When asked by PTI, Sen admits that it is an issue but says that right from the beginning of her campaign, party workers have been informing voters about her real name.
