Om Prakash was a renowned Indian supporting actor who gained popularity in the nineteenth century. He is eminent for his cameo roles in some movies like Dil Daulat Duniya (1972), Gopi (1970), Apna Desh (1972), Chupke Chupke (1975), Julie (1975), Joroo Ka Ghulam (1972), Aa Gale Lag Jaa (1973), Pyar Kiye Jaa (1966), Padosan (1968) and Buddha Mil Gaya (1971).
Wiki/Biography
Om Prakash was born on 19 December 1919(age 78 years; at the time of death) in Jammu, India. His Zodiac sign is Sagittarius and Om Prakash Chibber was his birth name. Om Prakash joined All India Radio in the year 1937 on a monthly salary of 37 Rupees. His radio programs were popular in Punjab and he was predominantly known as “Fateh Din”. Om Prakash was also a member of the well-known Dewan Mandir Natak Samaj, where he played the role of Kamla.
Om Prakash received his first break in the film while he was entertaining guests at a wedding, where he caught the notice of Dalsukh M. Pancholi, a well-known filmmaker. He was urged to go to the office of Dalsukh Pancholi in Lahore, where he was offered a part in the film Daasi. He was only paid 80 Rupees for his participation in the film, but the recognition he got would be a lifetime achievement.
From the 1950s through the 1980s, he was recognized as the best supporting actor in movies. Om Prakash has appeared in a huge number of Hindi films and is well known for his comedic performances. His amazing performance in films like Sharaabi, Bharosa, Tere Ghar Ke Samne, Mere Hamdam Mere Dost, Loafer, and Dil Tera Diwana is highly acknowledged.
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5’6″
Weight (approx.): 80 kg
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Black
Family
Not Known
Parents & Siblings
There’s not much information about the parents of Om Prakash. Pachhi, an actor and director, is known to be the brother of Om Prakash.
Career
After the partition, Om Prakash came to Delhi and then Bombay(now Mumbai) where his versatile acting was observed by Baldev Raj Chopra who was a film journalist and a critic. He was later advised by him to initiate his acting career. Although Om Prakash went through major struggles, he got his first break as a villain in the movie “Lakhpati”. His role as a villain was praised and further he got the opportunity of acting in movies such as Lahore (1949), Char Din (1949), and Raat Ki Rani (1949).
Om Prakash was a versatile actor and his extraordinary acting gave him a unique personality in the film industry. He was known to perfectly play every single role whether it is a role of a household or the old man in love. Despite working with vigorous actors like Azaad (1955) with Dilip Kumar, and Sargam (1950) with Raj Kapoor, he was distinguished for his performance in the movies. Om Prakash’s popular movies are Howrah Bridge (1958), Dus Lakh (1966), Pyar Kiye Jaa (1966), Padosan (1968), Sadhu Aur Shaitaan (1968), Dil Daulat Duniya (1972), Chupke Chupke (1975), and Chameli Ki Shaadi (1986).
Gopi (1970) is known to be his best movie in terms of acting where he played the role of Dilip Kumar’s elder brother. After working with Om Prakash in this movie Dilip Kumar said
I was only afraid once in my acting career and it was during Gopi when Om Prakashji’s performance overshadowed mine
Om Prakash generally played the cameo roles in the movie. Om Prakash proved himself as a multiskilled actor with a record of doing 307 films in his entire lifetime.
Awards
In 1968, Om Prakash was awarded Filmfare Best Actor In A Comic Role for the movie Dus Lakh (1966).
Death
Om Prakash passed away at the age of 78 after suffering a massive heart attack at home. He was then rushed to the Lilavati Hospital where he got another heart attack which led him to a coma from which he never recovered back. He died on 21 February 1998.
Facts/Trivia
- Om Prakash moved to Bombay when he was fourteen years old to pursue his acting profession. However, he was unable to acquire any film roles and returned to Jammu.
- Om Prakash was reported to have overshadowed Dilip Kumar’s role in the film Gopi through his extraordinary acting.
- Om Prakash had a 50-year career in the film industry.
- Om Prakash had a very friendly relationship with Amitabh Bachchan.
- Om Prakash has also produced some movies like Sanjog (1961), Jahan Ara (1964), and Gateway of India (1957).
Categories: Biography
Source: SCHOOL TRANG DAI