Raving Over Rampal: Arjun Turns 38!

He's a model actor. Well, actually, considering that Arjun Rampal made the transition from ramp mannequin to cine star. And like the catchline for Virginia Slims ad for ciggies states?.truly come a long way?

Arjun Rampal rings in his 38th birthday on November 26, 2010. The actor, a National Award winner, has certainly made great strides, from the time his first film 'Moksha' released in 2001. Then, a model and an upcoming actor, he made his way up steadily with performances in films like 'Pyar Ishq Aur Mohabbat', 'Aankhen', 'Dil Hai Tumhara', 'Yakeen' and 'Ek Ajnabee'. But it was in the year 2006 that Arjun's career took an upward swing.

His two performances that year, the first in 'Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna' and in 'Don The Chase Begins Again' succeeded in getting him noticed in a big way. The following year, Farah Khan's 'Om Shanti Om' released and his villainous role received rave reviews. He followed it with a thumping performance in Abhishek Kapoor's 'Rock On!!!', for which he won the 'Filmfare' and the National Award for the 'Best Supporting Actor'. His reputation as an actor was further strengthened with his performance in Rituparno Ghosh's 'The Last Lear'.

This year too has proved to be quite good for the actor who was again much appreciated in Prakash Jha's multistarrer political fare, 'Raajneeti'. He had two other releases this year, in 'Housefull' and 'We Are Family'. The actor will next be seen in Shah Rukh Khan's 'Ra.1', which is being directed by Anubhav Sinha. The actor is married to former model Mehr Jessia and the couple have two daughters, Mahiika and Myra. He has also branched out and opened a hotel called LAP Lounge And Party in Delhi in partnership with AD Singh.

On his b'day, here's wishing Arjun Rampal, loads of luck on the professional front, roles that heighten his talent still further and heaps of happiness on the familial front.