TV actress Aalika Shaikh, best known for her role in the Mann Kee Awaaz Pratigya 2, recently revealed why she changed her name from Shaheen Shaikh to Aalika Shaikh. She opened up on long-standing issues she's had with her family including how women were not treated equally at home.

She reveals, "I have left my family and my home. I belong to a Muslim family and in my family women are not given education and are married off at a young age. My cousins are all married now. And I am hardly on talking terms with my family".

The actress also expressed that her family wasn't happy with her decision to star in TV shows.

"When I left home, I thought that I will make a name for myself. Because people used to tell my mom 'your daughter is doing this', 'your daughter is doing that', 'this is haram for us', I'm in such a family where girls don't get anything, life is over for them," she adds.

The actress, who made her debut in Mann Kee Awaaz Pratigya in 2009, concluded by saying that apart from making her identity. she also chose to change her name so that her family doesn't face negative comments and their reputation stays intact.