PremiumHappy Birthday, Arjun Kapoor! From romantic comedies to thrillers, a look at actor's diverse roles
From Ishaqzaade to Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar, Arjun Kapoor's cinematic evolution showcases his versatility and depth as an actor.
Last Updated: 01.24 PM, Jun 26, 2024
Arjun Kapoor's filmography showcases his flexibility in Bollywood as he celebrates his 39th birthday on June 26, 2024. The actor has been a mainstay in the industry since making his debut in 2012's romantic thriller Ishaqzaade. Arjun has inhabited a wide range of characters in films like Ishaqzaade, a passionate love story; Gunday, an action drama; and 2 States, a romantic comedy. His comedic timing was on full display in Mubarakan and Ki & Ka, while he delved into more profound and intricate stories in Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar and India's Most Wanted.
Films starring Arjun Kapoor in the lead role
Ishaqzaade (Prime Video)
Habib Faisal wrote and directed the 2012 romantic thriller Ishaqzaade, which Aditya Chopra produced through Yash Raj Films. Parineeti Chopra and debutant Arjun Kapoor play the key parts, while Anil Rastogi, Natasha Rastogi, and Gauahar Khan play supporting roles. Ishaqzaade received critical acclaim and commercial success, particularly for Parineeti's performance.
Ishaqzaade tells the love story of a pair of inherently hostile individuals, fueled by hatred that emerges from the ashes of small-town clan battles and hooliganism. Their destiny was love, with an empire and a juxta throne at stake. One of the wild creatures arrives completely unexpectedly, while the other is vicious. The shouts of animosity, retaliation, gunfire, and lies drowned out the sound of combat. Passionate protagonists Arjun Kapoor and Parineeti Chopra fight for control of the plot. In the midst of a small community where hostility is rampant, a love story unfolds. The Ishaqzaades' tumultuous journey takes place within the frequently implausible and intimidating political constraints of rural India.
ALSO READ: 8 actors launched by Yash Raj Films
Gunday (Prime Video)
Ali Abbas Zafar penned the screenplay and directed the action thriller Gunday (2014), which Aditya Chopra produced. Priyanka Chopra, Irrfan Khan, Ranveer Singh, and Arjun Kapoor are the main actors in the film. In Gunday, which takes place in Calcutta between 1971 and 1988, two criminal best friends develop feelings for a cabaret dancer, leading to jealousy and miscommunication between them. Meanwhile, a police officer tries to take advantage of his position to remove them.
They fled for the first time as 12-year-old boys, and everyone called them "refugees." The 1971 war led to the formation of Bangladesh. It also produced Bikram and Bala, two little orphans. Throughout the battle and its aftermath, they saw the world attempt to crush them. They clung together to survive and reach Calcutta. They were friends before they knew anything else, and their friendship was strong and unbreakable. The world would always bring them crashing down whenever they dared to rise or seek a fresh start. So, the fighting continued, and their combined might was unparalleled. They could do no wrong, and their bond was unbreakable. Over the course of time, Bikram and Bala became gundays in Calcutta in every way imaginable: beloved, revered, brave, and powerful. The next thing, bells started ringing. When the stunning cabaret performer Nandita entered their lives, their world came crashing down. Their hazy reality became vibrant and enchanted. Their devotion to her was profound. That, however, was merely the tranquil calm before the tempest. At that point, ACP Satyajeet Sarkar came into the picture, and he was Bikram and Bala's sworn enemy, an enforcer of the law against all criminals, and a champion of justice for all. The story that comes next is unparalleled in sensationality, excitement, and drama.
2 States
Karan Johar and Sajid Nadiadwala produced the 2014 romantic comedy-drama 2 States, while Abhishek Varman directed it. Starring Arjun Kapoor and Alia Bhatt, the film is based on the 2009 novel of the same name by Chetan Bhagat. Varman and Bhagat revised the screenplay. Supporting characters include Amrita Singh, Ronit Roy, Revathi, and Shiv Kumar Subramaniam.
Krish and Ananya are both MBA students at the time the film opens on campus at IIM Ahmedabad. In contrast to the heroine's traditional Tamil Brahmin family, the young man is from a strong and proud Punjabi background. Upon meeting each other on campus, they quickly form a friendship. Krish and Ananya begin living together after falling in love. They plan to tie the knot as graduation approaches, but they need their families' blessing first. All two sets of parents met each other for the first time during the convocation ceremony. But things don't work out that way. The quiet Tamil parents and the boisterous Punjabi parents have a tense relationship. Krish relocates to Delhi following a major cultural disagreement, while Ananya finds a job at a bank in Chennai, her birthplace. An arranged marriage to a Punjabi girl is what Krish's mom wants him to do. Angry and determined to gain Ananya's parents' favour, the young man relocates to Chennai. Next, the movie 2 States depicts the North-South Indian couple's journey to Delhi, where they attempt to persuade Krish's family. In front of the Swaminathans, Kavita lashes out and makes disparaging remarks about Tamil culture. Krish and Ananya decide to end their marriage because they know their families will never accept it. Could happily ever after not be possible for a couple from different states?
Finding Fanny (Disney+ Hotstar)
Dinesh Vijan, under Maddock Films, produced and presented Finding Fanny, a satirical road movie from 2014, which Homi Adajania wrote. Arjun Kapoor, Deepika Padukone, Pankaj Kapur, Dimple Kapadia, and Naseeruddin Shah all play significant roles. Set in Goa, the film follows five dysfunctional friends—Shah included—as they embark on a road trip to find Fanny, Shah's onscreen love interest.
Ki & Ka (JioCinema and Prime Video)
R. Balki wrote, directed, and produced the 2016 romantic comedy film Ki & Ka. Arjun Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor Khan are the main actors in the movie. Despite receiving mediocre reviews upon its premiere, it went on to become a worldwide smash, earning more than ₹100.33 crore.
As a househusband, Kabir wants to keep to himself, while Kia is very driven. Their unorthodox marriage makes Kabir famous, which irritates Kia. Kia expresses regret for being envious after her mother's hospitalisation. After making amends, Kia takes over as chief executive officer of Kabir's family business.
Mubarakan (Netflix and SonyLIV [OTTplay Premium])
Anees Bazmee directed the 2017 romantic comedy film Mubarakan. The film stars Anil Kapoor, Arjun Kapoor (in a dual role), Ileana D'Cruz, Athiya Shetty, Neha Sharma, Karan Kundra, and Ratna Pathak Shah in the lead roles, with Sanjay Kapoor making a special appearance. The storyline revolves around twin brothers, both played by Arjun Kapoor in his second-ever dual role.
Karan and Charan are identical twin brothers, but their personalities are polar opposites. Karan was raised in London, whereas Charan was raised in Punjab. Karan is street-smart, calculating, and flamboyant, while Charan is simple, idealistic, and honest in his approach. Karan is in love with Sweety, while Charan is in a relationship with Nafisa. Karan's family arranged his wedding with Binkle, the daughter of one of London's wealthiest families. Instead, he persuades his family to reconcile with Charan. The respective families are pleased with this development, except Charan, because he wants to marry Nafisa.
India's Most Wanted (Disney+ Hotstar)
Arjun Kapoor starred in Raj Kumar Gupta's 2019 action thriller, India's Most Wanted. The plot of the film revolves around a clandestine operation to apprehend a terrorist without resorting to violence. The 2013 capture of Yasin Bhatkal, a member of the banned Indian Mujahideen (IM) terrorist outfit, sometimes referred to as "Osama bin Laden of India," along the border between India and Nepal served as the basis for the film India's Most Wanted.Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar (Prime Video)
Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar (Prime Video)
Dibakar Banerjee directed and produced the 2021 black comedy drama film Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar, which Yash Raj Films distributed. Parineeti Chopra and Arjun Kapoor, respectively, play the leading roles. At the box office, the picture bombed. The film's pacing divided critics, but they praised the plot, performances (particularly Chopra's), Banerjee's direction, and societal satire.
The film chronicles the events that unite two individuals on the run from different parts of our society, as well as the situations that force them to leave. Parineeti Chopra plays Sandy Walia, a 30-year-old senior banker at a thriving private sector bank who is unmarried, pregnant, and wants to quit. After Sandeep resigns, she and her boss plan to have a farewell supper at a Delhi club. Sandy, weary of waiting for what seems like an eternity, decides to go to another party with an old acquaintance. But Pinky, played by Arjun Kapoor, alias Satinder Dahiya, a 35-year-old ex-cop who is suspended and divorced from the Delhi Police, sneaks her into a car and takes her out into the empty streets of Gurgaon. Pinky appears anxious and is on the phone with his employer the whole time as they drive out of Delhi's main hub; the boss gives him directions to a barrier place. During all the mayhem, Pinky's gut feelings take over, and he gives false information. As a result, everyone in a fictitious car perishes, and Sandy and Pinky witness it unfold. Sandy and Pinky immediately decide to flee for their lives upon realising they are under attack. They make a pact to escape to Nepal, where they will each go their separate ways after crossing the border into India. Sandy and Pinky's self-disclosure influences each other and causes them to contemplate their prior lives as they endure the 'big people's' dogged pursuit throughout their journey. On this journey, they encounter individuals who have an impact on them and the people they meet. Finally, they help them understand the meaning of "escaping" or "freedom" on an inner level.