Arjun Rampal marks 25 years in Bollywood with heartfelt gratitude
Synopsis
Twenty-five years after his debut in Pyar Ishq Aur Mohabbat, Arjun Rampal has penned a rare, candid tribute to every director, producer, and co-star who backed him — including Shah Rukh Khan, who reportedly talked him into Om Shanti Om. The post is a reminder that in Bollywood, longevity is as much about relationships as it is about box-office numbers.
Key Takeaways
Arjun Rampal completed 25 years in Bollywood on 3 August 2025 , marking the silver jubilee of his debut film Pyar Ishq Aur Mohabbat .
He shared a personal Instagram post thanking directors Rajiv Rai , Ashok Mehta , and Shantanu Sheory for their early faith in him.
Shah Rukh Khan was credited with convincing Rampal to join Farah Khan 's Om Shanti Om .
Rampal also expressed admiration for Amitabh Bachchan and gratitude to filmmaker Aditya Dhar .
He won the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor for Rock On!! , one of the career highlights he has spoken about previously.
Actor Arjun Rampal marked 25 years in Bollywood on Monday, 3 August, reflecting on a journey shaped by love, setbacks, and enduring friendships — all of which, he said, made him the artist he is today. The milestone coincides with the silver jubilee of his debut film, Pyar Ishq Aur Mohabbat.
Rampal's Heartfelt Anniversary Post
Taking to Instagram, Rampal shared a deeply personal message to mark the occasion. 'Twenty-five years ago on this day, I had my first release Pyar Ishq Aur Mohabbat. Little did I know then, how relevant this title will become in my life,' he wrote. He added that the love and warmth he received over the decades left him 'truly grateful' for every experience — 'good or bad, big or small' — saying he 'wouldn't change a thing.'
Gratitude to Directors, Producers and Co-Stars
Rampal singled out his earliest collaborators for special acknowledgement, naming Rajiv Rai, Ashok Mehta, and Shantanu Sheory as 'the first three directors who believed and loved genuinely.' He also thanked producers Vashu Bhagnani, Ritesh Sid, Ramesh Taurani, Shabbir Boxwala, and Gauri Khan for 'repeating' him regardless of a film's box-office outcome — an unusually candid acknowledgement of industry loyalty in an era where commercial results often determine casting decisions.
Special Mentions: Shah Rukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan
Rampal reserved particular warmth for two of Hindi cinema's biggest names. He credited Shah Rukh Khan with persuading him to appear in director Farah Khan's blockbuster Om Shanti Om — a film widely credited with reintroducing Rampal to mainstream audiences. He also applauded Amitabh Bachchan 'for just being the best,' describing how he had looked up to the veteran actor and thanked him for sharing his experience 'so generously.'
A Nod to 'Dhurandhar' and the Road Ahead
Among his contemporary collaborators, Rampal singled out filmmaker Aditya Dhar — best known for directing Uri: The Surgical Strike — expressing affection and gratitude for 'pushing me and keeping my trust.' The shout-out signals an ongoing professional bond with Dhar, whose forthcoming projects are keenly watched by the industry. Rampal closed his post by crediting his admirers as the foundation of everything: 'Thank you for making me believe, thank you for believing,' he wrote, signing off with 'Lots of Pyar Ishq aur Mohabbat to all.'
Twenty-Five Years in Perspective
Rampal debuted in 2000 and has since built a career spanning romantic leads, critically recognised turns in films like Rock On!! — for which he won the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor — and more recent action-thriller outings. His trajectory, marked by commercial highs and lows, reflects the volatility of a career sustained over a quarter-century in one of the world's most competitive film industries. As he enters his next chapter, the industry's response to his anniversary post suggests the goodwill he has accumulated remains substantial.
Point of View
' a frank acknowledgement that commercial failure is a recurring reality even for established actors. In an industry where stars rarely discuss box-office misses publicly, that candour stands out. His career arc — from romantic lead to National Award winner to action-thriller regular — also illustrates how survival in Bollywood increasingly depends on reinvention rather than a single defining image. The longevity he has achieved owes as much to relationships, as his post makes clear, as to any single performance.
NationPress
3 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many years has Arjun Rampal completed in Bollywood?
Arjun Rampal completed 25 years in Bollywood on 3 August 2025, marking the silver jubilee of his debut film Pyar Ishq Aur Mohabbat , which released in 2000.
What did Arjun Rampal write in his 25-year anniversary Instagram post?
Rampal wrote a heartfelt message saying he was 'truly grateful' for every experience in his career, good or bad, and that he 'wouldn't change a thing.' He thanked directors, producers, co-stars, and his fans for their support over the years.
Which film did Shah Rukh Khan convince Arjun Rampal to do?
According to Rampal's own post, Shah Rukh Khan convinced him to appear in Farah Khan's blockbuster Om Shanti Om , a film that is widely regarded as a significant moment in his career.
Which award did Arjun Rampal win for Rock On!!?
Arjun Rampal won the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Rock On!! , which remains one of the most celebrated milestones of his 25-year career.
Who is Aditya Dhar, whom Arjun Rampal thanked in his post?
Aditya Dhar is the filmmaker best known for directing Uri: The Surgical Strike . Rampal thanked him in his anniversary post for 'pushing me and keeping my trust,' indicating an active professional collaboration between the two.
