Arjun Kapoor marks 14 years in Bollywood; Parma role 'still feels like the beginning'
Synopsis
Arjun Kapoor marked a career milestone on Monday—14 years since Ishaqzaade introduced him to Hindi cinema. His Instagram reflection was more than nostalgia: it signalled that despite recent box-office stumbles with Mere Husband Ki Biwi, Kapoor still views his debut character as the emotional anchor of his journey. The film's cross-religious love story, set against Uttar Pradesh's political backdrop, remains his most culturally resonant work.
Key Takeaways
Arjun Kapoor marked 14 years in Bollywood on Monday with the anniversary of his debut film Ishaqzaade .
He played Parma Chauhan , a character from a rival political family who falls in love with Zoya Qureshi (played by Parineeti Chopra ).
The film was directed by Habib Faisal and produced by Aditya Chopra under Yash Raj Films .
Kapoor recently appeared as the antagonist in Rohit Shetty's Singham Again , which earned him critical praise.
His last theatrical release, Mere Husband Ki Biwi , underperformed at the box office; no new project has been announced yet.
Actor Arjun Kapoor on Monday marked 14 years since his Bollywood debut with Ishaqzaade, sharing sketches from the romantic actioner and reflecting on how his character Parma Chauhan remains pivotal to his cinematic identity. In an Instagram post, Kapoor wrote: "14 years later, Parma still feels like the beginning of everything. #Ishaqzaade was the start of my journey as an actor, in cinema and with all of you…And it continues."
The debut that launched a career
Ishaqzaade, directed by Habib Faisal and backed by Aditya Chopra under Yash Raj Films, paired Kapoor opposite Parineeti Chopra in a tale of star-crossed lovers from rival political families in the fictional town of Almor, Uttar Pradesh. The film was an official remake of the 2009 Bengali drama Dujone. For Parineeti, it marked her second project after Ladies vs Ricky Bahl in 2011.
A cross-religious love story that resonated
The narrative centred on Parma and Zoya Qureshi (played by Parineeti), whose passionate romance challenged deep-rooted religious divides in their community. The supporting cast included Gauahar Khan, Natasha Rastogi, Anil Rastogi, and Shashank Khaitan.
Recent work and the road ahead
Kapoor's most recent theatrical release was the romantic comedy Mere Husband Ki Biwi, co-starring Rakul Preet Singh and Bhumi Pednekar, which underperformed at the box office. He also appeared as the primary antagonist in Rohit Shetty's Singham Again, earning critical acclaim for his performance in the cop drama. Kapoor has not yet announced his next project, though industry insiders expect announcements in the coming months.
Point of View
A rare Bollywood attempt at a cross-religious romance set in provincial politics. Since then, he has oscillated between supporting roles in franchises and lead parts in forgettable comedies. Singham Again proved he excels in morally grey antagonist work. The question now is whether he pivots toward such characters or continues chasing forgettable romantic leads. His filmography suggests the industry has not yet found his best fit.
NationPress
12 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ishaqzaade and when did it release?
Ishaqzaade is a 2012 romantic actioner directed by Habib Faisal and produced by Aditya Chopra under Yash Raj Films . It marked Arjun Kapoor's Bollywood debut and was an official remake of the 2009 Bengali film Dujone .
Who starred opposite Arjun Kapoor in Ishaqzaade?
Parineeti Chopra played the female lead, Zoya Qureshi , opposite Kapoor's Parma Chauhan . It was her second film after Ladies vs Ricky Bahl in 2011.
What is the plot of Ishaqzaade?
The film is set in the fictional town of Almor, Uttar Pradesh , and follows the passionate romance between Parma , from a Hindu political family, and Zoya , from a Muslim political family. Their relationship challenges the religious and political divides in their community.
What has Arjun Kapoor done since Ishaqzaade?
Kapoor has appeared in numerous films, most recently as the antagonist in Rohit Shetty's Singham Again , which earned him critical acclaim. His last lead role was in Mere Husband Ki Biwi , which underperformed at the box office.
Does Arjun Kapoor have any upcoming projects?
As of now, Kapoor has not officially announced his next project, though industry observers expect announcements in the coming months.
