King of good times

Most people would be stretched for time if they were shuttling between work and trying to settle into a new home in Mumbai,and,add to that,opening a restaurant in Delhi. But Arjun Rampal appears remarkably relaxed and gives us a dishy grin. “Everything is good. We moved into our new home,a penthouse in Bandra,early this week. Mehr and me are busy decorating it our way,at our own pace,” he beams.

Lap — the restaurant he is opening in Delhi’s Samrat Hotel in collaboration with restaurateur A D Singh— offers him more reasons to beam. The restaurant is being designed by Sandeep Khosla of the Abu-Sandeep fashion label. “I’ve been in Delhi regularly. It’s a project I’m very involved with since I’m quite a foodie,” he says. 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 his 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,” he adds.

Basking in the glory of his character Joe Mascarenhas in Farhan Akhtar’s Rock On! Rampal is now trying comedy in Sajid Khan’s Housefull and an intense role with political undertones in Prakash Jha’s Rajneeti. This model-turned-actor’s chiseled looks recently also brought him an international commercial for Schweppes opposite Hollywood actress 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,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 focused on my career and not disappoint anyone. Though I’ve had my ups and downs,it’s all worked out very well,” he signs off.