IMDB

Actor

1972-11-26 · Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India · Male

11 series in the catalog

Arjun Rampal (born 26 November 1972) is an Indian actor and model who mainly works in Hindi films. He has starred in more than 40 films. Described as a versatile actor by the media, Rampal has received several awards including the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor and the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Rock On!!.

Rampal made his acting debut in Rajiv Rai's romance film Pyaar Ishq Aur Mohabbat (2001). He enacted lead roles in romance films including Deewaanapan (2001), Dil Hai Tumhaara (2002), Dil Ka Rishta (2003), Vaada (2005) and I See You (2006), action films Asambhav (2004) and D-Day (2013), thrillers Yakeen (2005) and Roy (2015), socio-political Chakravyuh (2012) and crime drama Inkaar (2013). The year 2002 marked a turning point for Rampal when he featured in Aankhen, his breakthrough success, though followed by a continuous setback.

Later Rampal found a career resurgence starring in the commercially successful mainstream films Don (2006), Om Shanti Om (2007), Housefull (2010), Raajneeti (2010) and Ra.One (2011) and acclaim for biopic Daddy (2017). After another big career decline, he made his Telugu debut as an antagonist in Bhagavanth Kesari (2023). His portrayal of Major Iqbal in the Dhurandhar (2025) and its sequel Dhurandhar: The Revenge (2026) was well-received by the audience; both films emerged as second and fifth highest grossing Indian film of all time. Rampal turned a film producer with I See You (2006) under his banner, Chasing Ganesha Films, and then produced the biopic Daddy (2017), for which he also co-wrote the screenplay.

Early life and education

Rampal was born on 26 November 1972 in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India, in a family with military background. His maternal grandfather, Brigadier Gurdayal Singh, designed the first artillery gun for the Indian Army post-independence. His father Amarjeet Rampal is a Punjabi Hindu Brahmin while his mother Gwen Rampal was part Sikh and part Dutch. His mother died in 2018. Actress Kim Sharma is Arjun Rampal's first cousin.

Rampal grew up in a multicultural environment where the family celebrated Christmas, Diwali and Eid. He stayed with his mother after the separation of his parents and attended St. Patrick School (Devlali, Nashik) where his mother was a teacher. He then attended the Kodaikanal International School. Later, he graduated with a degree in economics with honours from Hindu College, Delhi. He went on to become a model and was featured in several music videos like Bekaraar (1996), Kinna Sona Tenu Rab Ne Banaya (1997) directed by Radhika Rao and Vinay Sapru, and Don't Marry Maya (1998) directed by Rajiv Rai.

Acting career

2001–2005: Early lead roles

Rampal was recommended by director Shekhar Kapur for a lead role in Ashok Mehta's Moksha. Rampal began shooting for the film opposite Manisha Koirala in 1997 but it took years to complete the film. He also signed for Shantanu Sheorey's Jadh opposite Jackie Shroff, Tabu and Smriti Mishra. The shooting of the film was completed but it was not released.

Rampal's first release that marked his acting debut in Bollywood was Rajiv Rai's romance film Pyaar Ishq Aur Mohabbat (2001) opposite Sunil Shetty, Aftab Shivdasani and Kirti Reddy. Rampal gave a show stealing performance and earned all the attention. He earned critical acclaim for his performance in the movie. Taran Adarsh of indiaFM wrote "Pyaar Ishq Aur Mohabbat is a showcase for Arjun Rampal to exhibit his talent. The guy looks dashing and emotes with utmost sincerity. He handled the emotional moments with maturity, which is so rare for a first-timer. A confident debut!" This established Rampal as a leading actor in the Indian film industry. He was nominated for the Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut but swept the awards in the Best Male Debut category at the Star Screen and IIFA ceremonies.

His next release was Ashu Trikha's Deewaanapan, in which Rampal was paired with Dia Mirza. He earned critical acclaim for his performance, but the film flopped at the box office. Taran Adarsh of IndiaFM wrote: "Arjun Rampal carries the film on his broad shoulders and comes up with a sincere performance that is consistent throughout. He is wonderful in action sequences and springs a pleasant surprise in the emotional moments by delivering the apposite expressions." Ashish Magotra of Rediff gave negative reviews on Rampal, writing: "Among the actors, Arjun Rampal as the hero does pretty much what he has been known to do. He models. His acting capabilities leave a lot to be desired." Moksha was his third release of the year. This film marked Rampal's third consecutive flop at the box office, but Rampal earned critical acclaim. Taran Adarsh of IndiaFM wrote: "Arjun Rampal excels in a role that was difficult to portray. He takes giant strides as a performer and proves that he's an actor with an amazing range." Priyanka Bhattacharya of Rediff considered the movie to be "more a 70-mm portfolio for Arjun Rampal than a story."

Rampal's first release of 2002 was Vipul Amrutlal Shah's Aankhen, in which Rampal starred in an ensemble cast featuring Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, Sushmita Sen, Paresh Rawal and Aditya Pancholi. He played the role of a blind person. The film was ranked above average at the box office and became the fourth-highest grossing Bollywood film of 2002. His next release was Kundan Shah's Dil Hai Tumhaara opposite Rekha, Preity Zinta, Mahima Chaudhry and Jimmy Shergill. The film was a flop.

In 2003, Rampal played a lead role in Naresh Malhotra's Dil Ka Rishta opposite Aishwarya Rai. Rampal earned critical acclaim for his performance. Ronjita Kulkarni of Rediff wrote: "Arjun Rampal shakes off his wooden image and comes up with a good performance. He is subtle and convincing in the emotional scenes. He has certainly moved on from Pyaar Ishq Aur Mohabbat." It was ranked the thirtieth film of the year on the basis of box office collections. Rampal's next role was in Khalid Mohammed's Tehzeeb opposite Urmila Matondkar. Rampal played a Muslim in the film. The film earned critical acclaim. Taran Adarsh praised his performance, quoting: "the easy-going attitude his character reflects injects that certain sheen to the enterprise."

In 2004, Rampal collaborated with Rajiv Rai for the second time in his first action thriller Asambhav. Rampal starred opposite Priyanka Chopra and played the role of an Indian commando Captain Aadit Arya. The film was entirely shot in Switzerland. Released on 23 July, Asambhav was Rampal's only release of the year. Shahid Khan of PlanetBollywood.com wrote: "Arjun Rampal looks good and he suits the mould of the action hero very well."

Rampal's first release of 2005 was Satish Kaushik's Vaada, in which he played a lead role opposite Ameesha Patel and Zayed Khan. The film was a flop. Patcy N of Rediff praised Rampal, writing: "Arjun Rampal has done a good job; his is a subdued performance, and the model-turned-actor looks great in most scenes." Rampal's next release was Vikram Bhatt's multi-starrer action film Elaan. The film managed to do well and became an average-grosser at the box office. Rampal earned critical acclaim for his performance in Elaan. Subhash K. Jha of IANS praised Rampal and wrote: "Arjun is pretty much on his own. Once again playing a man with responsibilities he brings a controlled conviction to both his scenes with his screen daughter and his engrossing death scene." Merril Diniz of Rediff wrote: "Arjun Rampal is almost believable as the rugged ex-cop. He has a deep baritone and svelte body language."

Rampal's third release of the year was the mystery thriller Yakeen, in which Rampal was paired in a lead role with Priyanka Chopra for the second time. He received acclaim for improving his emotional acting. Taran Adarsh praised his performance, quoting: "Cast in complex role, Arjun Rampal delivers his best performance so far. The role would've lost its bearings had it been entrusted to an…