Arjun Rampal was born on 26 November 1972 in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, into a family with a military background. His father, Amarjeet Rampal, was Punjabi and mother, Gwen Rampal, was a teacher. His maternal grandfather Brigadier Gurdayal Singh designed the first artillery gun for the Indian Army post-independence. His maternal grandfather was Sikh and his maternal grandmother was Dutch. He has a younger sister, Komal. He stayed with his mother after the separation of his parents. He was educated at the St. Patrick School (Devlali, Nashik), Kodaikanal International School. He graduated with a degree in economics with honors from Hindu College, Delhi. He married Mehr Jesia in 1998 and has two daughters, Mahikaa (born 2002) and Myra (born 2005).
Rampal made his acting debut in Rajiv Rai's Pyaar Ishq Aur Mohabbat (2001) for which he won the Screen Award for Most Promising Newcomer – Male. Rampal established his own production company Chasing Ganesha Films with his wife Mehr Jesia. The first movie under that banner was I See You (2006). He won the prestigious National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor in 2008, for his role as Joseph "Joe" in Rock On!! In 2008, Rampal made his television debut as one of the three judges of the fourth season of the dance reality television show Nach Baliye on STAR Plus.
In 2012, Arjun Rampal, in association with Percept Limited launched "Lost Festival", a music festival driven by culture, tradition & soul. In 2013, he joined PETA, in its campaign to ban horse-drawn carriages in Mumbai. His luxury nightclub "Lap", situated in New Delhi became the toast of the town, hosting top DJs and musicians like Lady Gaga, the Formula 1 after-parties, attended by Bernie Ecclestone himself. He shut the club in 2016 after 8 years.