Arjun Rampal to start a restaurant… but in Delhi

MOST people would’ve been driven crazy if they were shuttling between work, moving into a new house in Mumbai and opening a restaurant in Delhi. But the dishy Arjun Rampal’s very busy and happening life elicits a wide grin.
‘This is indeed one of the best phases of my life. Everything seems perfect – we moved into our new house, a penthouse in Bandra, early this week. We’re both decorating our house the way we want and at the pace we enjoy, ‘ he beams.
Lap – the restaurant he is opening in Delhi’s posh neighbourhood of Malcha Marg in collaboration with restaurateur A. D. Singh – offers him more reasons to beam about. The restaurant is being designed by Sandeep Khosla of the famed Abu-Sandeep duo.
‘I’ve been shuttling between the two cities, to oversee the work for the restaurant. It’s a project close to my heart since I’m quite a foodie.’
While in Mumbai, he frequents Singh’s Olive, China House at Grand Hyatt and Aurus in Juhu. The 36-year-old, however, chose Delhi for this pet project because that’s where he spent his early years. ‘I know a lot of people there and, besides, I found a lovely space in the city, which is growing in terms of hospitality.’
The restaurant, likely to open its doors in August, aims to create a benchmark in world cuisine while keeping the ambience casual and easy. ‘The ambience of an eatery plays a key role and is almost as important as the food one serves as it sets the pace of the evening and the meal for the guest, ‘ he smiles his Buddha-like smile.
While most will insist that his divine smile is his USP, it’s the devilishly gorgeous actor’s intense character, Joe Mascarenhas, in Farhan Akhtar’s Rock On!! that won him a slew of awards this year.
And Rampal hopes that with forthcoming films, like Prakash Jha’s Rajneeti, where he plays a character with political undertones, and Sajid Khan’s Housefull, which will see him in a ‘comic role like never before’, he will continue his run at the awards.
This model-turned-actor’s chiselled looks recently also brought him an international commercial for Schweppes opposite Hollywood diva Nicole Kidman, shot in Udaipur’s Lake Palace.
The offer – his first international commercial – did come as a surprise and Rampal’s stroke of luck continues as the ad, uploaded on youtube.com, has already had 400 million hits. ‘It’s phenomenal and flattering, ‘ he exclaims.
‘I’m really content with the way my life is shaping up – it’s well-rounded and balanced. I hope I can stay focussed on my career and not disappoint anyone. Though my job is like a roller-coaster ride, I think the ups and downs have been worth it.’