Upendra Rao is a famous Kannada filmmaker, screenwriter, actor and politician. He is considered to be one of the best directors in the Kannada film industry.
Wiki/Biography
Upendra Rao aka Upendra was born on Thursday, 18 September 1969 (age 53 years; in 2022) in Bangalore. He pursued a bachelor’s degree in Commerce at APS College of Commerce, Bangalore. While he was studying in college, he actively participated in theater productions.
Picture of Upendra Rao during his NCC days
Physical appearance
Height (approx): 5′ 9″
Weight (approx): 75 kg
Hair Color: Black
Eye Color: Black
Body Measurements (approx): Chest: 42 inches, Waist: 28 inches, Biceps: 15 inches
Family
Upendra Rao belongs to the Tulu speaking Koteshwara Magane Madhwa Brahmin community.
Parents & Siblings
His father, Manjunath Rao, was a cook. His mother’s name is Anusuya. Upendra had an elder brother named Sudhindra Rao. Sudhindra works in the Border Security Force. After ten years of service, he left the army to assist Upendra in production and film-related work.
Upendra Rao with his parents and wife
Wife & Children
On 14 December 2003, Upendra Rao married Priyanka Trivedi, who is an actress. Priyanka won the Miss Kolkata title in 1996. In 2007, they had a son named Aayush Upendra. In 2008, they had a daughter named Aishwarya Upendra.
Upendra with his wife, Priyanka Upendra
Upendra with his children, Aayush and Aishwarya
other relatives
South Indian actor and director Kashinath Hathwara is a distant relative of Upendra.
Upendra Rao and Kashinatha Hathwara
Career
During Upendra’s final year in college, he began his career as a writer and assistant director with the late actor and film director Kashinatha Hathwara.
Director
The 1992 Kannada film ‘Tharle Nan Maga’ was Upendra’s directorial debut.
Upendra Rao (far right) on the set of Tharle Nan Maga (1992)
Upendra directed the horror suspense thriller ‘Shhh!’ In 1993, and in 1998, he directed the Kannada films ‘Swasthik’ and ‘A.’ In 1999, Upendra directed his self-titled film, Upendra.
Actor
In 1989, Upendra made his acting debut with the comedy film ‘Anantana Avantara.’ He made a cameo appearance as Lord Kamadeva in the film song ‘Come On Come On Kaamanna.’
Upendra Rao in a still from the song ‘Come On Come On Kaamanna’ in 1989
Upendra played the role of a misogynist named Naanu in the 1999 film ‘Upendra’.
Kannada movie ‘Upendra’ theatrical poster
He made cameo appearances in his own films such as A (1998), Shhh! (1993) and, Operation Antha (1995). Additionally, Upendra acted in films including Preethse (2000), Kutumba (2002), Raktha Kanneeru (2003), and I Love You (2019). In 2006, Upendra worked in the Kannada film ‘Aishwarya,’ which was Deepika Padukone’s debut film.
Upendra Rao and Deepika Padukone in the movie ‘Aishwarya’ (2006)
Politicians
On 6 March 2018, Upendra left the political party, Karnataka Pragnyavanta Janata Paksha, which he helped to found, due to a misunderstanding between him and D. Mahesh Gowda. He later established another party called Uttama Prajakeeya Party (UPP).
Uttama Prajakeeya Party logo
Awards & Achievements
Udaya Film Awards
1999: Best actor for an ‘A’ film
2003: Best actor for the film Nagarahavu
2011: Best Screenplay for the movie Super
2013: Best Actor for the movie Kalpana
47th Filmfare Awards South
2000: Best Director and Best Film for the film Upendra
Hello Gandhinagara Awards
2004: Best dialogue and best actor for the film Raktha Kanneeru
Suvarna Film Awards
2008: Special Award For Performance for the film Anatharu
2011: Favorite Director Award for the film Super
2011: Favorite Movie for Super movie
First SIIMA Award
2012: Special appreciation award for the film Shrimathi
Karnataka State Film Awards
2012: Best Director and Best Film for the film Super
2nd SIIMA Award
2013: Critics Award for best actor for Katariveera film Surasundarangi
5th SIIMA Award
2016: Best Director for the movie Uppi 2
Facts/Trivia
- While Upendra studied at school, he actively participated in debates, cultural activities, and wrote plays.
- When Upendra was young, his family was poor. They could not afford to pay for the eye problems that Upendra suffered as a baby.
- Due to poor home conditions, Upendra and his brother used to do odd jobs such as making paper envelopes with newspapers and supplying them to roadside fruit sellers, and wrapping parcels to earn money.
- While Upendra was studying in school, he participated in the children’s play ‘Compounder Gunda,’ where he shouted as part of the act. When his performance was appreciated by the audience, he decided to become an actor.
- Upendra’s film ‘om’ (1995) went on to become a blockbuster, which was later remade into several languages. In 1999, a Hindi version titled Arjun Pandit was released in which Sunny Deol played the lead role.
- Upendra is the brand ambassador of United Breweries and has endorsed many popular brands including Lunars Footwear, Mavalli Tiffin Room (MTR), Emani Navaratna Brand and Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Categories: Biography
Source: SCHOOL TRANG DAI
