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Arjun Rampal
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=== 1997β2005: Early lead roles === Rampal was recommended by director [[Shekhar Kapur]] for a lead role in [[Ashok Mehta]]'s ''[[Moksha (2001 film)|Moksha]]''. Rampal began shooting for the film opposite [[Manisha Koirala]] in 1997 but it took years to complete the film.<ref>{{cite web |author1=V S Srinivasan |title=The man with the glass eye |url=https://m.rediff.com/entertai/1998/mar/30ash.htm |website=[[Rediff.com]] |access-date=20 May 2025 |date=March 30, 1998}}</ref> He also signed for Shantanu Sheorey's ''Jadh'' opposite [[Jackie Shroff]], [[Tabu (actress)|Tabu]] and Smriti Mishra.<ref>{{cite web |title=Shantanu Sheorey on his new film, Jadh |url=https://m.rediff.com/movies/1998/jan/08she.htm |website=[[Rediff.com]] |access-date=20 May 2025 |date=January 6, 1998}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|title=Three Boys, One Girl, And Some Heart Surgery |url=http://ww.smashits.com/film-review-of-pyaar-ishq-aur-mohabbat/movie-review-1278.html |publisher=SmasHits.com |access-date=4 July 2012 |author=Pankaj Shukla |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121027231434/http://ww.smashits.com/film-review-of-pyaar-ishq-aur-mohabbat/movie-review-1278.html |archive-date=27 October 2012 }}</ref> [[Taran Adarsh]] of [[Bollywood Hungama|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's handled the emotional moments with maturity, which is so rare for a first-timer. A confident debut!"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/criticreview/id/201611|title=Pyaar Ishq Aur Mohabbat Review|website=[[Bollywood Hungama]]|access-date=11 July 2012|date=2 August 2001|author=Taran Adarsh|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921061516/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/criticreview/id/201611|archive-date=21 September 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> 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 [[Screen Awards|Star Screen]] and [[International Indian Film Academy Awards|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.{{Citation needed|date=January 2025}} 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."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/criticreview/id/201698|title=Deewaanapan Review|website=[[Bollywood Hungama]]|access-date=11 July 2012|date=16 November 2001|author=Taran Adarsh|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151005173429/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/criticreview/id/201698|archive-date=5 October 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> 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."<ref>{{cite web|title=Logic be damned|url=http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2001/nov/16deew.htm|publisher=[[Rediff]]|access-date=7 November 2012|author=Ashish Magotra|date=16 November 2001|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130317160631/http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2001/nov/16deew.htm|archive-date=17 March 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> ''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.{{Citation needed|date=January 2025}} 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."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/criticreview/id/508080|title=Moksha: Salvation Review|website=[[Bollywood Hungama]]|access-date=11 July 2012|date=28 November 2001|author=Taran Adarsh|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121028113130/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/criticreview/id/508080|archive-date=28 October 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> Priyanka Bhattacharya of [[Rediff.com|Rediff]] considered the movie to be "more a 70-mm portfolio for Arjun Rampal than a story."<ref>{{cite web|title=Arjun's 70 mm portfolio!|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2001/nov/30mok.htm|publisher=[[Rediff]]|access-date=7 November 2012|author=Priyanka Bhattacharya|date=30 November 2001|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130317160643/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2001/nov/30mok.htm|archive-date=17 March 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> [[File:Arjun Rampal 2004.jpg|thumb|left|Rampal signing autographs at ''[[Temptation (2004 film)|Temptation]]'' photocall held at the Washington Hotel in London]] Rampal's first release of 2002 was [[Vipul Amrutlal Shah]]'s ''[[Aankhen (2002 film)|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.<ref name="2002 Box Office">{{cite web|title=Box Office 2002|url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=208&catName=MjAwMg==|work=Box Office India|access-date=8 November 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080122163713/http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=208&catName=MjAwMg==|archive-date=22 January 2008}}</ref> His next release was [[Kundan Shah]]'s ''[[Dil Hai Tumhaara]]'' opposite [[Rekha]], [[Preity Zinta]], [[Mahima Chaudhry]] and [[Jimmy Shergill]]. The film was a flop.<ref name="2002 Box Office" /> 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]]''."<ref>{{cite web|title=Ash, Ash and more Ash|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2003/jan/17dil.htm|publisher=[[Rediff]]|access-date=4 July 2012|author=Ronjita Kulkarni|date=17 January 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120719024019/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2003/jan/17dil.htm|archive-date=19 July 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> It was ranked the thirtieth film of the year on the basis of box office collections.<ref>{{cite web|title=Box Office 2003|url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=209&catName=MjAwMg==|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130118131733/http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=209&catName=MjAwMg==|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 January 2013|work=Box Office India|access-date=8 November 2012}}</ref> Rampal's next role was in [[Khalid Mohammed]]'s ''[[Tehzeeb (2003 film)|Tehzeeb]]'' opposite [[Urmila Matondkar]]. Rampal played a Muslim in the film. The film earned critical acclaim.{{Citation needed|date=January 2025}} Taran Adarsh praised his performance, quoting: "the easy-going attitude his character reflects injects that certain sheen to the enterprise."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/criticreview/id/54593|title=Tehzeeb Review|website=[[Bollywood Hungama]]|access-date=11 July 2012|date=5 December 2003|author=Taran Adarsh|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103081939/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/criticreview/id/54593|archive-date=3 November 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> 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."<ref>{{cite web|title=Asambhav Review |url=http://www.planetbollywood.com/Film/Asambhav/ |publisher=PlanetBollywood.com |access-date=4 July 2012 |author=Shahid Khan |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120428200201/http://planetbollywood.com/Film/Asambhav/ |archive-date=28 April 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Rajiv's First Non-Multi Starrer Is A Non-Starrer |url=http://ww.smashits.com/rajiv-s-first-non-multi-starrer-is-a-non-starter/movie-review-3731.html |publisher=SmasHits.com |access-date=4 March 2012 |author=Pankaj Shukla |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121027231428/http://ww.smashits.com/rajiv-s-first-non-multi-starrer-is-a-non-starter/movie-review-3731.html |archive-date=27 October 2012 }}</ref> Rampal's first release of 2005 was [[Satish Kaushik]]'s ''[[Vaada (2005 film)|Vaada]]'', in which he played a lead role opposite [[Ameesha Patel]] and [[Zayed Khan]]. The film was a flop.<ref>{{cite web|title=Vashu's 'Vaada' Fares Below Average |url=http://ww.smashits.com/vaada/movie-review-4156.html |publisher=SmasHits.com |access-date=4 July 2012 |author=Pankaj Shukla |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120328153744/http://ww.smashits.com/vaada/movie-review-4156.html |archive-date=28 March 2012 }}</ref> 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."<ref>{{cite web|title=Vaada will surprise you!|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2005/jan/07vaada.htm|publisher=[[Rediff]]|access-date=8 November 2012|author=Patcy N|date=7 January 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130226081404/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2005/jan/07vaada.htm|archive-date=26 February 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> Rampal's next release was [[Vikram Bhatt]]'s multi-starrer action film ''[[Elaan (2005 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."{{Citation needed|date=January 2025}} Merril Diniz of Rediff wrote: "Arjun Rampal is almost believable as the rugged ex-cop. He has a deep baritone and svelte body language."<ref>{{cite web|title=Elaan doesn't have much hope!|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2005/jan/14elaan.htm|publisher=[[Rediff]]|access-date=8 November 2012|author=Merril Diniz|date=14 January 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130317160041/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2005/jan/14elaan.htm|archive-date=17 March 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> Rampal's third release of the year was the mystery thriller ''[[Yakeen (2005 film)|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.<ref>{{cite web|title=Audiences Losing "Yakeen" In Cadaverous Thrillers |url=http://ww.smashits.com/yakeen/movie-review-4645.html |publisher=sts.com |access-date=4 July 2012 |author=Satyajit |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121027231444/http://ww.smashits.com/yakeen/movie-review-4645.html |archive-date=27 October 2012 }}</ref> 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 inferior actor, but Arjun sinks his teeth into it and emerges trumps. The actor portrays the gamut of emotions with aplomb and delivers a flawless performance. He is truly efficient in sequences when he starts suspecting his wife's fidelity in the first half. The shower sequence as also the intermission point display Arjun's range as an actor."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/criticreview/id/538457|title=Yakeen Review|website=[[Bollywood Hungama]]|access-date=11 July 2012|date=1 July 2005|author=Taran Adarsh|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131030154518/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/criticreview/id/538457|archive-date=30 October 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> Rampal's last release of the year was [[Apoorva Lakhia]]'s ''[[Ek Ajnabee]]'' opposite Amitabh Harivansh Rai Bachchan and [[Perizaad Zorabian]]. This film featured Rampal in his first negative role as Shekhar Verma, the bodyguard of a child, but is actually a corrupted person.<ref>{{cite web|title=Amitabh rocks in Ek Ajnabee|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2005/dec/09ek.htm|publisher=[[Rediff]]|access-date=8 November 2012|author=Vipin Vijayan|date=9 December 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130317160614/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2005/dec/09ek.htm|archive-date=17 March 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Subhash K Jha]] praised Rampal's performance and wrote, "The narrative has some nice supporting performances, particularly Arjun Rampal who's gone both over and under the skin of his bar-owner ex-army man's role. Not only does Rampal look right, he feels right."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.glamsham.com/movies/reviews/ekajanbee.asp|title=Ek Ajnabee Movie Review|publisher=Glamsham|url-status=unfit|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120622234246/http://glamsham.com/movies/reviews/ekajanbee.asp|archive-date=22 June 2012|access-date=10 November 2012}}<!-- marked unfit due to erroneous redirect to "I β proud To Be An Indian Movie Review": January 2020 --></ref> His first release of 2006 was the [[love triangle]] based ''[[Humko Tumse Pyaar Hai]]'' opposite [[Bobby Deol]] and [[Ameesha Patel]]. This film was a delayed release. Satyajit of SmasHits quoted "Arjun Rampal has also been promising and it shows in his performance. The media might have labeled him "wooden actor" but he has shown great improvisation in emotional scenes."<ref>{{cite web|title=Stale, Outdated And Unbearable |url=http://ww.smashits.com/humko-tumse-pyar-hai/movie-review-5262.html |publisher=SmasHits.com |access-date=4 July 2012 |author=Satyajit |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121027231448/http://ww.smashits.com/humko-tumse-pyar-hai/movie-review-5262.html |archive-date=27 October 2012 }}</ref> Taran Adarsh wrote: "Arjun is awkward at places in initial portions, but gets into the rhythm subsequently. The emotional sequences in the second half clearly indicate that he's come a long way."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/criticreview/id/54518|title=Humko Tumse Pyaar Hai Review|website=[[Bollywood Hungama]]|access-date=11 July 2012|date=24 February 2006|author=Taran Adarsh|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120512044904/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/criticreview/id/54518|archive-date=12 May 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> His next appearance was the multi-starrer [[anthology]] ''[[Darna Zaroori Hai]]''. Rampal starred in the story "Spirits Do Come" opposite [[Bipasha Basu]] and [[Makrand Deshpande]], directed by Prawal Raman. Despite a cast of stars, the film flopped at the box office.
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