Editing Arjun Rampal (section)

=== 2008–11: Critical acclaim ===
[[File:Arjun-Rampal-BH.jpg|thumb|right|Rampal at the All India Squash Championship Awards Function in 2010]]
Following the success of ''Om Shanti Om'', Rampal started to rise as a successful actor. In 2008, Rampal gave a performance in ''[[Rock On!!]]'' as Joseph "Joe" Mascarenhas, the lead guitarist of a band, a poor idealist who never learned that self-promotion is more important than music in a remixed world.<ref>{{cite web|title=Rock on, ''Magik''|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2008/aug/28rock.htm|publisher=[[Rediff]]|access-date=9 November 2012|author=Sumit Bhattacharya|date=28 August 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120905005841/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2008/aug/28rock.htm|archive-date=5 September 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> Rampal learned guitar to prepare for his role. His performance was widely acclaimed, earning him the prestigious [[National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor]] at the [[56th National Film Awards]], [[Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor|Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award]] at the [[54th Filmfare Awards]], [[IIFA Award for Best Supporting Actor]] at the [[10th IIFA Awards]] and [[Screen Award for Best Supporting Actor]].<ref name="NATIONAL FILM AWARD">{{cite web|title=National Film Awards Best Supporting Actor|url=http://www.awardsandshows.com/features/national-awards-best-supporting-actor-593.html|work=Awards & Shows|access-date=11 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120820230650/http://www.awardsandshows.com/features/national-awards-best-supporting-actor-593.html|archive-date=20 August 2012|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="FILMFARE AWARD">{{cite web|title=Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award|url=http://www.awardsandshows.com/features/best-supporting-actor-69.html|work=Awards & Shows|access-date=11 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305000938/http://www.awardsandshows.com/features/best-supporting-actor-69.html|archive-date=5 March 2012|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="56TH NATIONAL FILM AWARD">{{cite web|title=56th National Film Awards|url=http://dff.nic.in/2011/56th_nff_2008.pdf|access-date=11 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019152853/http://dff.nic.in/2011/56th_nff_2008.pdf|archive-date=19 October 2013|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Filmfare Awards 2009 – Filmfare Award 2009 Winners|url=http://www.awardsandshows.com/features/filmfare-awards-2009-85.html|work=Awards & Shows|access-date=11 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120723035904/http://www.awardsandshows.com/features/filmfare-awards-2009-85.html|archive-date=23 July 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="AWARDS & NOMINATIONS">{{cite web|url=http://entertainment.oneindia.in/celebs/arjun-rampal/awards.html|title=Arjun Rampal Awards & Nominations|access-date=25 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130206164917/http://entertainment.oneindia.in/celebs/arjun-rampal/awards.html|archive-date=6 February 2013|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="2008 BO">{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=131&catName=MjAwOA==&PHPSESSID=c57491f6bb68eb4b6d53fe0acf0bf999|title=Worldwide Grossers (Figures in INR)|access-date=20 December 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216084352/http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=131&catName=MjAwOA==&PHPSESSID=7a044b7ce9ec8895be43a4afa9fe350c|archive-date=16 December 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> This brought wider success and acclaim to Rampal. Noted critic [[Nikhat Kazmi]] of ''[[The Times of India]]'' praised Rampal's performance and wrote: "If you actually had to choose, then the vote would go for Arjun Rampal who displays a newfound maturity and looks absolutely groovy with his windblown hair and his guitar-strumming stance."<ref>{{cite news|title=Rock On|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-reviews/rock-on/movie-review/3423303.cms|work=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=25 November 2012|author=Nikhat Kazmi|date=29 August 2008|author-link=Nikhat Kazmi|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024092757/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/hindi/Rock-On/movie-review/3423303.cms|archive-date=24 October 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Martin D'Souza]] of [[Bollywood]] Trade News Network praised Rampal, writing: "Arjun Rampal is slowly coming into his own. After playing a character with a negative shade in ''Om Shanti Om'', he returns with another powerful performance as Joe Mascarenhas, the lead guitarist of the band. Vibrant at first, and then subdued he walks the act with a rock star gait."<ref>{{cite web|title=Rock On!! Movie Review|url=http://www.glamsham.com/movies/reviews/29-rock-on-movie-review-080801.asp|work=Bollywood Trade News Network|author=Martin D'Souza|publisher=Glamsham|access-date=10 November 2012|date=30 August 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120620220151/http://glamsham.com/movies/reviews/29-rock-on-movie-review-080801.asp|archive-date=20 June 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Later that year, he 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. He gave a show-stealing performance. Taran Adarsh wrote: "Arjun is evolving into a fine actor. After ''Rock On!!'', this is another performance that would fetch Arjun laurels."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/criticreview/id/508361|title=The Last Lear Review|website=[[Bollywood Hungama]]|access-date=11 July 2012|date=12 September 2008|author=Taran Adarsh|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120430161610/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/criticreview/id/508361|archive-date=30 April 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> Martin D'Souza considered it to be Rampal's best performance to date.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Last Lear Movie Review|url=http://www.glamsham.com/movies/reviews/12-the-last-lear-movie-review-090814.asp|work=Bollywood Trade News Network|author=Martin D'Souza|publisher=Glamsham|access-date=10 November 2012|date=13 September 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120622234354/http://glamsham.com/movies/reviews/12-the-last-lear-movie-review-090814.asp|archive-date=22 June 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Rajeev Masand]] of [[CNN-IBN]] praised Rampal's performance, writing: "Arjun Rampal shines as the guilt-ridden filmmaker, too ashamed to even apologise for his selfishness."<ref>{{cite web|author=Rajeev Masand|publisher=[[CNN-IBN]]|title=Masand's Verdict: The Last Lear is slyly over the top|date=13 September 2008|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/masands-verdict-the-last-lear-is-slyly-over-the-top/73463-8-p1.html|access-date=8 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120113072003/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/masands-verdict-the-last-lear-is-slyly-over-the-top/73463-8-p1.html|archive-date=13 January 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Rampal's only release of 2009 was [[Deepak Tijori]]'s ''[[Fox (film)|Fox]]'', in which he starred opposite [[Sunny Deol]], [[Sagarika Ghatge]] and [[Udita Goswami]]. The film mainly received negative reviews and flopped at the box office, but Rampal earned critical acclaim. Taran Adarsh praised Rampal's performance as perfect.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/criticreview/id/65125|title=Fox Review|website=[[Bollywood Hungama]]|access-date=11 July 2012|date=4 September 2009|author=Taran Adarsh|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129103045/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/criticreview/id/65125|archive-date=29 November 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

2010 would go on to become the most successful year of Rampal's career with three back to back hits. The first was [[Sajid Khan]]'s [[comedy]] film ''[[Housefull (2010 film)|Housefull]]'', in which he starred in a supporting role. The film received negative reviews, but became a huge hit at the box office. Rampal's next release was [[Prakash Jha]]'s multi-starrer ''[[Raajneeti]]''. Rampal received critical acclaim for his supporting role of Prithvi in the movie. Taran Adarsh wrote: "Arjun is a revelation and what a terrific performance he pitches in. He's like an untamed lion."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/criticreview/id/508306|title=Raajneeti Review|website=[[Bollywood Hungama]]|access-date=11 July 2012|date=3 June 2010|author=Taran Adarsh|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120512044723/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/criticreview/id/508306|archive-date=12 May 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> His performance earned him a nomination for the Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.avstv.com/2011/01/20/56th-filmfare-awards-nominations/ |title=56th Filmfare Awards Nominations |access-date=25 November 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140110124547/http://news.avstv.com/2011/01/20/56th-filmfare-awards-nominations/ |archive-date=10 January 2014 }}</ref> He won the award in the Best Supporting Actor at the [[International Indian Film Academy|IIFA]], Apsara and [[Zee Cinema|Zee Cine]] categories.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://iifa.com/toronto2011/nominations.html#nominations |title=The 12th IIFA Awards (2011) Nominees and Winners |access-date=28 January 2012 |work=iifa.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120114155916/http://www.iifa.com/toronto2011/nominations.html |archive-date=14 January 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Winners of 6th Apsara Film & Television Producers Guild Awards |url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/features/2011/01/11/7008/index.html |author=Bollywood Hungama News Network |work=[[Bollywood Hungama]] |date=11 January 2011 |access-date=28 January 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110114070754/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/features/2011/01/11/7008/index.html |archive-date=14 January 2011 }}</ref> His last release of the year was Siddharth Malhotra and [[Karan Johar]]'s ''[[We Are Family (2010 film)|We Are Family]]'', in which he played a lead role opposite [[Kajol]] and [[Kareena Kapoor]]. It was an average grosser and Rampal's first successful movie that featured him in a lead role. Taran Adarsh wrote: "Arjun continues to surprise. ''[[Rock On!!|Rock On]]!!'', ''[[Housefull (2010 film)|Housefull]]'', ''[[Raajneeti]]'' and now ''We Are Family'' indicates the growth of this actor. He handles the emotional moments well, too."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/criticreview/id/536232|title=We Are Family Review|website=[[Bollywood Hungama]]|access-date=11 July 2012|date=31 August 2010|author=Taran Adarsh|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121221202050/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/criticreview/id/536232|archive-date=21 December 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Kajol, Arjun Steal The Show |url=http://ww.smashits.com/kajol-arjun-steal-the-show/movie-review-8333.html |publisher=SmasHits.com |access-date=11 July 2012 |author=K N Gupta |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121027231439/http://ww.smashits.com/kajol-arjun-steal-the-show/movie-review-8333.html |archive-date=27 October 2012 }}</ref>

In 2011, Rampal played the titular negative role in [[Anubhav Sinha]]'s [[science fiction]] movie ''[[Ra.One]]''. The movie became a successful film in India and overseas and received mixed reviews. Rampal's new bald look earned him a lot of appreciation and popularity within the audiences. Majority of the fans considered his "Ra. One" look to be better than that of the protagonist "G.One".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.apunkachoice.com/content/article/sid100006885-arjun_rampals_raone_look_better_than_srks_gone/ |title=Arjun Rampal's Ra.One look better than SRK's G.One? |publisher=Apun Ka Choice.com |date=15 October 2011 |access-date=11 July 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120122064446/http://www.apunkachoice.com/content/article/sid100006885-arjun_rampals_raone_look_better_than_srks_gone |archive-date=22 January 2012 }}</ref> He earned critical acclaim for his villainous performance. Martin D'Souza praised Rampal's performance and considered him to be the saviour of the film that was being flawless in the second half. He wrote: "It's only after the interval that the plot meanders a bit, loses it sting and almost falls apart like a pixelised image, before Arjun lights up the screen."<ref>{{cite web|title=Ra.One Movie Review|url=http://www.glamsham.com/movies/reviews/25-ra-one-movie-review-101101.asp|work=Bollywood Trade News Network|author=Martin D'Souza|publisher=Glamsham|access-date=25 November 2012|date=26 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120622054006/http://glamsham.com/movies/reviews/25-ra-one-movie-review-101101.asp|archive-date=22 June 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> Arthur J Pais of Rediff.com wrote: "The best person to gain from the film directed by Anubhav Sinha with more inane and crude sexual jokes than in any recent Hindi film, is Arjun Rampal. His body language and brooding face creates a quietly menacing villain."<ref>{{cite web|title=Ra.One disappoints New York|url=http://movies.rediff.com/report/2011/oct/26/review-raone-arthur-pais.htm|work=[[Rediff.com]]|access-date=25 November 2012|author=Arthur J Pais|date=26 October 2011|archive-date=11 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011121448/https://www.rediff.com/movies/report/review-raone-arthur-pais/20111026.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Raja Sen]] wrote: "Arjun Rampal is the best thing in the biggest budget Indian feature of all time."<ref>{{cite web|title=''Ra.One'': What a letdown!|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/review-raone-raja-sen/20111026.htm|publisher=[[Rediff]]|access-date=25 November 2012|author=Raja Sen|date=26 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130317160051/http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/review-raone-raja-sen/20111026.htm|archive-date=17 March 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> Aseem Chhabra considered Rampal to be the "most interesting element of the film."<ref>{{cite web|title=Why ''Ra.One'' disappoints|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/why-ra/20111026.htm|publisher=[[Rediff]]|access-date=25 November 2012|author=Aseem Chhabra|date=26 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130317160620/http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/why-ra/20111026.htm|archive-date=17 March 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>