Arjun Rampal Biography
Date of Birth26 November 1972, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India
Height
6' 2" (1.88 m)
Spouse
Mehr Jessia (1997 - present) 2 children
Trade Mark
Often plays depressed characters with disturbed state of mind.
Trivia
Indian supermodel
He was proclaimed Society's Face of the year, 1994.
Married to former model Mehr Jessia, and has two daughters.
Cousin of Kim Sharma
Has two daughters, Mahikaa, born on January 17, 2002 and Myra, born June 2005.
Former fashion model.
Comes from a Ramgariha Sikh Punjabi background. His father is Amarjeet Rampal, a Sikh and his mother is Gwen Rampal, a Dutch woman.
Arjun and his younger sister attended the prestigious Kodaikanal International School located in the Palani Hills, Tamil Nadu, where his mother was a teacher.
Appeared with his cousin, Kim Sharma, in Yakeen (2005).
Arjun was also featured in the Temptation Tour alongside Shahrukh Khan.
Film career
His debut movie - Moksha was released in 2001 and was directed by Ashok Mehta. However, this film was released after his second film, Pyaar Ishq Aur Mohabbat, in which he appeared with Sunil Shetty and Aftab Shivdasani. Although both films did not perform well at the box office, his performances in both films were lauded by critics. In 2002, he won the Award from the International Indian Film Academy for Face of the Year.
Since his debut, he has worked steadily in films such as Aankhen (2002), which was successful. But his films like Dil Hai Tumhaara (2002), Yakeen (2005) and Ek Ajnabee (2005), did not succeed commercially.
He has also appeared in the Temptations 2004 concert with stars Shahrukh Khan, Rani Mukerji, Saif Ali Khan, Preity Zinta, and Priyanka Chopra.
In 2006 he made an extended appearance in the multi-starrer Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna and played a supporting role in Don - The Chase Begins Again, a remake of the 1978 Amitabh Bachchan starrer Don. Rampal donned the role of Jasjit who was played by Pran in the original version. And this film, like the original version turned out to be a huge hit.
He then decided to produce as well as act in the film I See You (2006) which released on 29 December 2006. Arjun produced it with his own production company, Chasing Ganesha Films. His wife, Mehr Jesia, was the co-producer. The film starred Rampal, Vipasha Agarwal, Sonali Kulkarni and Boman Irani. Bollywood actors Shahrukh Khan and Hrithik Roshan made cameos in the film. I See You was shot entirely in London. The film received poor reviews and was a failure at the box office. He, however, received positive reviews for his villainous role in Farah Khan's Om Shanti Om (2007), which became one of the biggest hits in the history of Bollywood. And his biggest hit till date. He also won several awards for the film.
The hunky actor has recently opened up a hotel named LAP Lounge And Party in Delhi as joint venture with Restaurateur AD Singh.
He also appeared in an international Schweppes Drink commercial along with Nicole Kidman, produced by Sir Ridley Scott ( Gladiator fame director) and directed by famous international director Shekhar Kapur ( Mr.India, Bandit Queen, Elizabeth )
Recently he has become the brand ambassador of a famous clothing brand named Thomas Scott. It was recently reported that in the beginning of 2010 he started shooting for the sequel film to the highly successful remake of the movie Don, alongside SRK and Kunal Avdana of ABCL production with Big B and will also be in next Abhisekh Kapoor's movie.
In 2008 Arjun starred in Rituparno Ghosh's English-language arthouse film The Last Lear, alongside Amitabh Bachchan and Preity Zinta. The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and was received well at a number of other film festivals. Upon its theatrical release in India, Rampal got favourable reviews for his performance. In 2008, Rampal starred in Rock On!!, in which his role as the lead guitarist of the band was widely acclaimed, getting him several awards, including the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor and Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award.[1]
In 2010, Arjun won critical acclaim for his portrayal of 'Prithvi' in the Prakash Jha multi-starrer blockbuster, Raajneeti.[2]
[edit]Personal life
Arjun Rampal was born in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India on 26 November 1972 to a Punjabi family from Delhi. His father’s name is Amarjeet Rampal and his mother’s name is Gwen Rampal. Arjun along with his sister attended the Kodaikanal International School situated at Palani Hills in Tamil Nadu. His mother was a teacher in the school at the time. Arjun went on to complete his Bachelor’s degree in Economics stream from the highly regarded Hindu College in Delhi.[3] Actress Kim Sharma is his cousin.[4]
Arjun Rampal married former Miss India and supermodel Mehr Jesia and they have two daughters, Mahikaa, born on 17 January 2002 and Myra, born June 2005.
Unmistakably called the God of the ramp, Arjun Rampal came on the modelling scene some 5 years ago. Ever since he was proclaimed Society's face of the year, 1994, Arjun Rampal has carved a niche for himself amongst India's top male models. Married to Supermodel Mehr Jessia "Prince of the ramp"” Arjun Rampal, who has been waiting for long to make his debut on the silver screen, has broken the jinx at last. Unlike most of the star-kids Arjun hasn’t got stardom on a platter. He had to slog for long to get a firm foothold in tinsel town. Today he is better known as the longest-standing newcomer in Bollywood. His first film as an actor Ashok Mehta-directed “Moksha” (with Manisha Koirala) hasn’t had a big commercial success. And his second film Shantanu Sheorey’s “Jadh” (with Jackie Shroff and Smriti Mishra) has been shelved half way through. It is with his third film Rajiv Rai’s “Pyar Ishq Aur Mohabbat” that Arjun has at long last made his debut on the big screen. The film, released on August 3 2001, casts Arjun in a romantic role. He plays Gaurav, a handsome model with a philandering streak. Rajiv Rai, who has dubbed “Pyar Ishq..” as Arjun’s trump card, seems pretty impressive with Arjun’s histrionics. So much that he has signed Arjun for his next film too. Besides, Arjun is currently one of the busiest guys in Bollywood with many plum projects in his kitty. Among them are “All The Best” with Akshay Kumar and Amitabh Bachchan, a film opposite Aishwarya, and a film with Abbas-Mastan.
Describe yourself in three words.
Cool, casual, comfortable.
What're you most comfortable in, then?
Track pants and T-shirts, mostly. I love wearing kurtas, especially Rajasthani ones, jeans, usually casuals.
That means?
Adidas, Clavin Klein, Armani (Exchange and Emporio), and on the Indian front, Tarun Tahiliani's kurta pyjamas, Rohit Bal's Westerns, suits and casuals and sneakers. Always sneakers.
What's the most important part of your wardrobe?
My underwear.
If you weren't a model?
I'd probably be working in a bank or something – that's where the money is.
Who would you want to be a muse for?
Rohit Bal says I was his muse – he found me. Isn't that enough?
You wanted to sell paan on a street corner?
Yeah – mostly to give my father free cigarettes.
You're going to be selling a film next month?
Well, acting in it – Shantanu Sheorey's Jadh. But that's all I can say.
Who from history would you most want to do lunch with?
Jim Morrison – and not lunch, an all night party for that whole sex, drugs, rock and roll thing. But one night only.
So what does sex mean to you?
Fun, necessity.
And does size matter?
Only when I was working with Elite (the modelling agency). Abroad, they're far more professional than they are here – so you have a modelling card with all your measurements and abilities (like whether you can ride or swim or whatever). When I went to London, the whole skinny look was in, so I had to lose a lot of weight, but by the time I went to New York, I'd filled out, so I got myself a new card.
The card is everything, eh?
Absolutely. Seriously, I think we all have one life and should live it to the best of our abilities.
What about marriage? What's that mean?
It's a rule made by society. No, seriously, it's something sacred and it's incredible security – you've found your companion for a lifetime. It's all based on honesty, I'd say.
What inspires you?
Life. And when other people have faith in me, mostly that spurs me on.
Who do you have most faith in?
Myself.
And what does God mean to you?
He's a friend – someone I can always ask for help.
And what would you take with you if you were to leave earth?
A carton of Marlboro Lights, I guess.
What do you wanna be when you grow up?
Retired!
Tall, dark and handsome, Arjun Rampal is one of India’s best known male supermodels. His move to films was quite natural and though the start was shaky, post Om Shanthi Om and Rock On, he has proved that he isn’t one to be written off.
Before Fame
Arjun Rampal kicked up a wail on the 26th November 1972. He was born to Gwen and Amarjeet Rampal. He has a younger sister. He studied at the Kodaikanal International School in Tamil Nadu after which his college years were spent in the Hindu College, New Delhi.
He tied the knot with the svelte Mehr Jessia, a former Miss India and a supermodel. They have two daughters, Mahikaa and Myra.
He is actress Kim Sharma’s cousin.
Discovered!
He was discovered by designer Rohit Bal while he was hanging out in a discotheque in Mumbai. He tasted success as one ...
Arjun Rampal did his first bollywood movie Moksha in 2001 and then Pyaar Ishq aur Muhabbat.
Since his debut, he has worked steadily in films such as Aankhen, which was successful. But his films like Dil Hai Tumhaara, Yakeen and Ek Ajnabee, did not succeed commercially
He, however, received positive reviews for his villainous role in Om Shanti Om, which became one of the biggest hits in the history of Bollywood. And his biggest hit till date.
Hot facts in Biography
# He was proclaimed Society’s Face of the year, 1994.
# The actor is married to former miss India Mehr Jessia, and has two children.
# The actor cum model is much intersted in social service , he is currently sponsoring 11 orphan children in an orphanage.
# He describes himself as Cool, casual, comfortable.
Arjun Rampal quotes
# “I don’t mind being linked to a sexy guy”
# “I have always admired Mr. Bachchan and Mr. Khanna and I consider myself lucky to have got the opportunity of working with them so early in my career. They are legends. I have learnt a lot from them and despite being a newcomer, they went out of their way to make me feel comfortable on the sets.”
# “Mr. Bachchan is like an institution and I learnt a lot during the making of the film. He never made me feel new in front of him.”
# “God is a friend – someone I can always ask for help.”
# ” I love walking on the buzzing streets of New York – it gives me a real high. If it wasn’t for my work commitments. I would spend weeks there”
Arjun Rampal best movie list
Aankhen [ Amitabh Bachchan , Akshay Kumar , Arjun Rampal , and Sushmita Sen ]
Dil Ka Rishta [ Aishwarya Rai , Arjun Rampal , Rakhee , Ishaa Koppikar ]
Tehzeeb [ Shabana Azmi , Urmila Matondkar , Arjun Rampal , Diya Mirza , Rishi Kapoor ]
Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna [ Amitabh Bachchan , Shahrukh Khan, Rani Mukherjee , Preity zinta , Abhishek Bachchan and Arjun Rampal ]
Don – The Chase Begins Again [ Shahrukh khan , Priyanka Chopra , Arjun Rampal , Ishaa Koppikar , Kareena Kapoor ]
Om shanthi om -[ Shahrukh khan , Deepika Padukone , Arjun Rampal ]
Filmography
Year Film Role Awards
2001 Pyaar Ishq Aur Mohabbat Gaurav Nominated, Filmfare Best Debut Award
2001 Moksha Vikram Sehgal
2002 Deewaanapan Suraj Saxena
2002 Aankhen Arjun Verma
2002 Dil Hai Tumhaara Dev Khanna
2003 Dil Ka Rishta Jai
2003 Tehzeeb Salim Mirza
2004 Asambhav Captain Aadit Arya
2005 Vaada Rahul
2005 Elaan Arjun
2005 Yakeen Nikhil Oberoi
2005 Ek Ajnabee Shekhar Verma
2006 Humko Tumse Pyaar Hai Rohit
2006 Darna Zaroori Hai Kunal
2006 Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna Jai Cameo
2006 Don - The Chase Begins Again Jasjeet
2006 Alag Special appearance
2006 I See You Raj Jaiswal (British Raj)
2007 Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd. Jignesh Special appearance
2007 Om Shanti Om Mukesh Mehra
2008 The Last Lear Siddharth
2008 EMI Ryan
2008 Rock On!! Joe Mascarenhas Double Winner, Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award
National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor
2009 Fox Arjun Kapoor
2010 Housefull Major Krishna Rao
2010 Raajneeti Prithviraj Pratap Nominated, Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award, IIFA Award for Best Supporting Actor
2010 We Are Family Aman
2011 Ra.One Ra.One
Arjun Rampal
Arjun Rampal
Arjun Rampal walks the Ramp
