Deepali Sayyad with Uddhav Thackeray (ANI photo)

THANE: What’s in a name, it is said, but in the Kalwa-Mumbra assembly segment, Shiv Sena candidate Deepali Bhosale is better known as Deepali Sayyad or Sophia Sayyad .

Born Deepali Bhosale (41), the Marathi actor is getting recognized by either of her two surnames along community lines depending on the locality she campaigns in.

Post marriage, her new name, Sophia Sayyad, has given her a new identity among voters in the minority-dominated Mumbra-Kausa area.

The Sena’s search for a face that could garner minority votes had ended with the actor readily accepting the saffron band to take on two-time NCP MLA Jitendra Awhad.

A senior Shiv Sena functionary said Deepali Sayyad is her official name for the elections and her supporters have used it in her promotional material. Most citizens in Mumbra said she is being identified as Sophia.

Sayyad remained unavailable for comment on Monday as she was busy meeting citizens on the Kalwa hillock.

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