What's in a name? Possibly everything, some would say! Numerologist duo Bansilal and Sanjay Jumaani have given a new dimension to names. Thanks to them, numerology, the 5,000-year-old science ,has become a rage with the Indian entertainment and media industry.

The science involving numbers has given a whole new meaning to misspelt names. Be it the 'u' (rather than 'o') in Ky'u'nki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, the extra 'l' in Des Mein Nikl'l'a Hoga Chand, the extra 'a' in Kah'a'ani Ghar Ghar Ki and Kasautii Zindagii K'a'y or the extra 'k' in K'k'usum --- the list of serials named by the duo is endless. They have also recommended changes in some celebrity names such as Shobha'a' De, Tus's'har, Kar'e'ina Kapoor, Suni'e'l Shetty, Isha'a' Koppikar and Anu Mallik (double 'nn' earlier) amongst others.

The beeline of celebrities and producers at the Jumaani household is evidence of the fact that the two have definitely carved a niche for themselves in the media world as those who may have the mantra that would ring in that little bit of extra'aa' luck .

Sanjay B Jumaani also hosts a show called Apka Number Kya Hai every Monday from 8:00 am to 9:00 am on Radio City.

indiantelevision.com's Agnes Sebastian met Sanjay B Jumaani at his office in Central Mumbai.

Excerpts:

What is numerology? How can numbers and consequent changes in names have an affect on one's future?
Numerology is an offshoot of astrology. It is a science based on the fact that each and every letter of the alphabet has got vibrations and numbers. It categorises people on the basis of name and date of birth. The sum total of the name of a person should be in tandem with the date of birth he/she carries. The sum total denotes whether that number is favourable or not for the person.

Each letter is related to a number and the sum of the digits can make or mar a person's future. You must know how to dodge the numbers. Usually, I add one or two letters . In very rare cases say one in 100, have I advised a complete change of name.

How did you come to practise numerology?
In the early 1970s, my father came across a book on numerology which interested him. He went on to study more than 125 books on it. He began by advising friends and family on various issues - like marriage, business , lucky dates and lucky colours. What began as a hobby, turned into a profession for my father when his friend advised and encouraged him to do so.

My father is otherwise a financer (broker) by profession. As for me, I have a marketing background. But, after trying my hand at various small jobs, I realised that numerology was my calling too. I too have changed my name by adding an extra 'a' to my surname, following which my problems have diminished and I am more at peace with myself.

What made you recommend the letter 'K' for Ektaa Kapoor's serials?
Correction. The letter 'K' was suggested to Ektaa by her tarot card reader, Sunita Menon. Keeping that as a premise all her other serials have had their names approved by us.

Do all channels approach you for approving the names of their serials?
Well, the names of all serials and soaps on Star Plus are invariably sent to us for approval. (Senior V-P) Tarun Katial and (CEO) Peter Mukerjea insist on doing so. As for Zee, I think all the serials are misspelt except for Kittie Party (laughs) which is I think one of the few shows doing well on the channel. We even named BAG films Kumkum.

What is the story behind the naming of Des Mein Niklla Hoga Chand on Star Plus?
Well , it so happened that when the channel people asked Aruna Irani to get the name of her serial approved by us, she refused. The serial went on air as scheduled but within three months ran into rough weather.

The TRPs started falling and the channel was contemplating taking the soap off air. Irani was then once again advised to come to us. We recommended a slight change in spelling, rather we added the extra 'l' in Niklla and since then there has been no looking back for her or the serial. Today it ranks among the top shows of the channel and even went on to win the RAPA awards.

How did you land up adding the extra 'a' to Shobhaa De's name?
Well, that's a rather interesting story. Shobhaa De wrote albeit in light vein that she was prepared to add any number of Ss to her name if it would bring her more fame, success and money. My father immediately did his calculations and sent her a letter, saying all she needed was an extra 'a ' and no 'S's to make her future brighter. She agreed to do so.

De, recently, signed a publishing deal with Penguin books. She and Manish Goswami also consulted us for Kittie Party.

Have you recommended any changes to channel names as well?
Well, just recently we were approached by the Adhikari brothers for their channel. The channel which recently revamped its look has been advised to drop the 'e' from SABe TV and be called SAB TV alone. The channel will definitely fare better now.

What kind of a clientele do you have ?
Our services are available to all. Be it the common man or the celebrities, the filmwallahs or the industry wallahs we cater to all. Some of our clients include - Dheeraj Kumar, Ishaa Koppikkar, Rakesh Roshan, Gurdeep Kohli, Kukku Bhatia, Ritu Shivpuri, Nandita Puri and Sadashiv Puri, Shobhaa Kapoor, Saurav Ganguly, Anuradha Prasad and Adhikari brothers among many others.

Well known film producers have been our regular clients for donkeys years. My father had suggested the extra 'a' in Rakesh Roshan's Kaho Na'a' Pyar Hai which went on to become one of biggest blockbusters of all time.

When Vipul A Shah , the producer of Aankhein came to us we suggested that he add an extra 'a' to the film's name. Not only did the film emerge as one of the biggest hits of the year, its story has been bought by Hollywood and will soon be made as Three Blind Mice.

We had even written to the Government that in order to solve the problems currently plaguing the country we need to 'h' to Gujarat, an 'e' to Kashmir and an extra 'n' to Srinagar, to create an atmosphere of love, peace and harmony in the troubled states.

What are the requisites for a person to benefit from numerology and your advice ?
Most importantly, you need to have belief in the science of numerology. Then all that is required is the name of the individual , date of birth and of course money (laughs).

We charge a minimum of Rs 3,501 as consultation fees. However for deserving candidates we do offer some concessions. As for naming of serials - we need the title, the script of and producer's date of birth.

If a change in name is recommended by us, then the individual should adhere to it and register the change of name at the gazette office. Also, in all the future transactions and dealings (be it business cards, signature etc.) he would need to make a conscious effort to ensure that his/ her name is not misspelt - for example in the case of Bollywood stars, they should insist that the name is spelt correctly in media reports.

We had advised Tusshar Kapoor to add an extra 's ' to his name and drop his surname altogether and be called just Tusshar but day in and day out we see his name in newspapers along with the surname.