One of the greatest actors ever to grace the silver screen, Om Prakash was perhaps India’s most beloved character actor Too. He was known for playing a variety of roles with his characteristic smile and dialogue delivery. Apart from being a great actor, he also worked as a singer, lyricist, actor, director, producer, and writer.
Be it his antics with Mehmood in “Pyar Kiye Jaa,” which has the film history’s most hilarious story-telling session, “Chupke Chupke’s Jija Ji,” “Namak Halal’s Daddu,” “Gopi’s Bade Bhaiyya,” “Girdharilal of Buddha Mil Gya,” “Munshi ji of Sharabi,” or “Ustad in Chameli Ki Shaadi,” Om Prakash never fails to amuse us. His mere presence can put a smile on a viewer’s face.
Early Life
Om Prakash was born as Om Prakash Chibber on December 19, 1919, in Jammu, into a Punjabi family. He developed a fascination for theatre, music, and films from a young age. He began taking lessons in classical music when he was twelve years old. His career in entertainment started with All India Radio in 1937. On radio he became famous as “Fateh Din,” a popular radio personality in Punjab. His programs made him a household name, and his talent for storytelling and humour shone through.
Cinamatic Journey of Om Prakash
Om Prakash’s entry into films was serendipitous. He was performing at a wedding when filmmaker Dalsukh Pancholi noticed him. Pancholi offered him a role in the film “Daasi” (1944). Although he was paid only Rs 80 for his role, the film earned him fame and started his journey to greatness. He later appeared in Pancholi’s films “Dhamki,” “Patjhad,” “Meena Bazaar,” and “Lutera.”
During his early career, Om Prakash acted in films like Shahar Se Door (1946), Zamin Asman (1946), Pagdandi (1947), Chakori (1949), Raat Ki Rani (1949), Meena Bazaar (1950), Nirdosh (1950), Rupaiya (1950), Awara (1951), Khazana (1951), Ghungroo (1951), Abshaar (1953), Laila Majnu (1953), Parineeta (1953), Rail Ka Dibba (1953), Shikast (1953), Dost (1954), and Azaad (1955).
In the 1950s, he gained immense recognition and became one of the most sought-after character actors of Hindi films. In the late 50s and 60s, he starred in films like Dhake Ki Malmal (1956), Mem Sahib (1956), Bhabhi (1957), Howrah Bridge (1958), Didi (1959), Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai (1960), Hariyali Aur Rasta (1962), Rajkumar (1964), Dus Lakh (1966), and many more.
The Loveable Elder – Om Prakash
In 1963, he wooed the audience as the father of Dev Anand, Lala Jagannath, in Vijay Anand’s “Tere Ghar Ke Samne.” Lala Jagannath was in direct rivalry with Seth Karam Chand, played by Harindranath Chattopadhyay, the father of Nutan. Their chemistry and comeradrie is still fascinating to watch. One of his other memorable roles came in A. Bhimsingh’s family drama “Khandaan (1965). Om Prakash played the patriarch of the family, Jeevandas, who was forced to witness the partition of his ancestral home due to petty family feuds. The image of a teary-eyed Om Prakash watching helplessly while the classic Mohd Rafi song “Kal Chaman Tha, Aaj Ek Sehra Hua” plays in the background still haunts the film viewers.
In this period, Om Prakash worked with all the top actors, like Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor, Dev Anand, Ashok Kumar, Kishore Kumar, Shammi Kapoor, Manoj Kumar, Dharmendra, etc. He also worked with comedians like Agha, Gope, Mukri, and later with Johnny Walker and Mehmood.
Om Prakash – The Filmmaker
In 1955, Om Prakash ventured into filmmaking. He directed his first film, “Duniya Gol Hai,” starring Anita Guha, Karan Dewan, and Kuldeep Kaur. His next film as a director was “Gateway of India (1957),” starring Bharat Bhushan, Madhubala, Pradeep Kumar, and Johnny Walker. The film was a big success.
In 1959, he came up with “Chacha Zindabad,” starring Kishore Kumar and Anita Guha. His last film as a director was Kanhaiya starring Raj Kapoor and Nutan. In 1961, he produced Pradeep Kumar, Anita Guha, and Shobha Khote starrer “Sanjog,” directed by Pramod Chakravorty. The film was a success and is still remembered for its songs like “Bhooli Hui Yaadon Mujhe Itna Na Sataao,” “Woh Bhooli Daastan Lo Phir Yaad Aa Gayi,” and “Kahte Hain Chand Jisko.”
He again produced a film in 1964, which proved to be his last. The film was the historical epic “Jahan Ara,” starring Mala Sinha, Bharat Bhushan, and Shashikala. Om Prakash also acted in all these films in various roles.
Continuing Success
In 1966, Om Prakash starred in the comedy-drama “Dus Lakh” as Gokulchand, which earned him immense critical acclaim. The same year he acted in “Pyar Kiye Jaa.” Om Prakash played the role of Ramlal, the father of Mehmood, Kalpana, and Rajshree, who was being conned by Kishore Kumar and Shashi Kapoor. The film has one of the most hilarious scenes when Mehmood narrates the story of his film to Om Prakash.
In 1968, he played the title role in A. Bhimsingh’s “Sadhu aur Shaitan” along with Pran, Mehmood, and Kishore Kumar. In 1969, Om Prakash’s role in “Aadmi Aur Insaan” earned him the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor.
Some of his other notable films from this period include Padosan (1968), Do Kaliyaan (1968), Mere Hamdam Mere Dost (1968), Ek Shriman Ek Shrimati (1969), Doli (1969), Mera Naam Joker (1970), Pushpanjali (1970), Purab Aur Paschim (1970), Gopi (1970), and Ghar Ghar Ki Kahani (1970).
Later Work
One of his most iconic films was “Buddha Mil Gaya (1971),” where he played an old man interested in a young girl. He featured in iconic songs “Aayo Kahan Se Ghanshyam” and “Mai Buddho Lambo Lambo.” His performance was widely appreciated and remains one of his most memorable roles.
In the 1970s, his roles like Udharchand Shikarpuri in Dil Daulat Duniya (1972), De Silva in Zanjeer (1973), Guru in Sagina (1974), Shambhu in Chowkidar (1974), Lallu Lal in Aandhi (1975), Julie’s Father in Julie (1975), and Raghav Bhaiya in Chupke Chupke (1975) remained fresh in the memories of his fans. His role as Daddu Dasrath Singh in Namak Halaal (1982) and his role of Munshi Phoolchand in Sharaabi (1984) have become cult over the years.
Some of his later films include Gol Maal (1979), Abdullah (1980), Naram Garam (1981), Lawaaris (1981), Prem Rog (1982), Rang Birangi (1983), Naukar Biwi Ka (1983), Raaj Tilak (1984), Alag Alag (1985), Awara Baap (1985), Chameli Ki Shaadi (1986), Imaandaar (1987), Muqaddar Ka Faisla (1987), Pati Patni Aur Tawaif (1990), Ghar Ho To Aisa (1990), Pratikar (1991), and many more.
He Was a Singer Too
He also sang a few songs like “Chhod Diya Ghar Baar Rani Tere Liye” in Meena Bazar (1950), Naari Se Nagan Bhali and Gopal Krishna Radhe Krishna in Ladki (1953), Hari Om Katha Aarambh Hot Hai in Bindiya (1960), Jamuna Ke Tat Pe Maari Najariya in Vardaan (1974), and Bhaiya Mere Ram in Ghar Ki Izzat (1994).
Om Prakash married Prabha Chibber. His brother also worked in a few movies with the name of “Pachchi.” Om Prakash passed away on 21 February 1998 at Lilavati Hospital after a massive heart attack.
Om Prakash on IMDB
