Tracing 25 Years of Arjun Rampal from Pyaar Ishq aur Mohabbat to Dhurandhar
For most actors in Hindi cinema, stardom is the final destination. But for Arjun Rampal, it’s always seemed like ‘performing’ has been his natural habitat. For actors, it’s often the dash of fiction required to make their mark. In his case, novelty has required him to shine. Characters like Mukesh Mehra and ISI Major Iqbal owe their popularity to Rampal, and not the other way round. That’s exactly why over the past 25 years, reinventing and shedding layers of the past have been his final frontiers.
Pyaar Ishq aur Mohabbat: Arjun Rampal made his acting debut with Pyaar Ishq Aur Mohabbat, a musical romantic film that saw him play the role of Gaurav Saxena, a talented but financially struggling model. This debut release placed him as a promising performer with the intent to explore himself as an actor.
Aankhen: In this heist-thriller, Arjun Rampal plays one of the three visually impaired men who possess a sharp sense of awareness. This role highlighted his ability to take up challenging characters and pull them off with absolute ease.
Dil Ka Rishta: Not much is talked about the ‘iconic’ facet of Dil Ka Rishta, wherein Rampal headlined this romantic drama by playing Jai Mehta. This release took place during the early stages of his career and earned him the moniker of a soft-hearted chocolate boy.
Om Shanti Om: For the sake of evolution and changing tastes of the audience, films like Om Shanti Om don’t get made today. Arjun Rampal, as Mukesh Mehra, defined the peak of the villainy shade, mostly through his cold-hearted persona, verbal battle and the sheer attitude of not backing down from his pride as a wealthy film producer.
Rock On!: Arjun Rampal served a career-defining performance in Rock On by stepping into the shoes of Joseph Mascarenhas, a proud lead guitarist of the rock band. This role earned him the prestigious National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor and brought major focus on his versatility.
Housefull: In this comedy caper, Arjun Rampal played a no-nonsense Indian military intelligence officer, Major Krishna Rao, who sparks a comedy of errors when he arrives in the narrative unannounced.
Raajneeti: In Raajneeti, Arjun Rampal dives headfirst into the world of a flamboyant and aggressive politician, Prithviraj Pratap. The actor brought a certain edge and hot-headedness to his portrayal in order to let the essence speak for itself.
D-Day: In this action-thriller, Arjun Rampal plays a fiery ex-Indian Army Officer, stepping in as the muscle of the team. As one of the four secretive officers sent to Pakistan on a covert mission, Rampal brings a clean sense of maturity to his portrayal, making it shine even brighter.
Daddy: In Daddy, Arjun Rampal plays a real-life gangster turned politician named Arun Gavli, stepping into the gripping world of Mumbai’s underworld, Dagdi Chawl, and his rise to become a rival of India’s most powerful crime boss, Dawood Ibrahim.
Dhurandhar: In Dhurandhar & Dhurandhar The Revenge, Arjun Rampal played the key antagonist, ISI Major Iqbal, at the front and center of the action, thrill and edgy moments. The actor sparked dread mainly through his chilling expressions and combat sequences, making Major Iqbal a standout.
Which of these performances of Arjun Rampal are your favourites