N. Om Prakash Rao is a veteran Kannada filmmaker, actor, screenwriter and producer who has been an important name in Sandalwood for several decades. Known particularly for action-oriented commercial cinema, Rao has directed popular Kannada films including Lockup Death, Simhada Mari, AK 47, Huchcha, Kalasipalya and several other movies.
In September 2026, Om Prakash Rao once again became a major talking point among Kannada television audiences after entering Bigg Boss Kannada 13. This is not his first association with the reality show. He previously entered Bigg Boss Kannada 4 as a wildcard contestant in 2016. His return to the Bigg Boss house has therefore attracted considerable interest among viewers.
N. Om Prakash Rao Biography – Quick Profile
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | N. Om Prakash Rao |
| Popular Name | Om Prakash Rao |
| Profession | Director, Actor, Producer, Screenwriter |
| Industry | Kannada Film Industry |
| Birthplace | Bengaluru, Karnataka |
| Father | N. S. Rao |
| Known For | Action and commercial Kannada films |
| Directorial Debut | Adhipathi (1994) |
| Acting Debut | Dakota Express (2002) |
| Bigg Boss Kannada | Season 4 and Season 13 |
| Current Show | Bigg Boss Kannada 13 |
Who is N. Om Prakash Rao?
N. Om Prakash Rao is a Kannada film director, producer, screenwriter and actor. He has worked extensively in Sandalwood and is particularly associated with commercial films featuring action, romance and fast-paced screenplays.
BookMyShow identifies him as a director, screenplay writer, actor, writer and producer, and lists Bengaluru as his birthplace. It also notes that he made his directorial debut with Adhipathi in 1994 and his acting debut with Dakota Express in 2002.
Over the years, Rao has worked in different capacities across Kannada cinema. His filmography includes directing, acting, writing and production, making him a multi-skilled personality in the Kannada film industry.
Om Prakash Rao Early Life and Family
Om Prakash Rao was born in Bengaluru, Karnataka. He comes from a family connected with Kannada cinema. His father, N. S. Rao, was a well-known Kannada comedian and actor.
His family’s connection with the film industry played an important role in his early exposure to cinema. Om Prakash Rao eventually developed an interest in filmmaking and moved into direction and screenwriting.
His daughter Shravya Rao also entered the Kannada film industry as an actress. In an interview with The New Indian Express, Shravya discussed her decision to pursue acting and noted her family’s established connection with cinema.
Om Prakash Rao Career
Om Prakash Rao began working in the Kannada film industry before establishing himself as a director. According to available filmography records, he worked as an assistant director in projects including Rudra, Ananda Jyothi and Kempaiah IPS before making his directorial debut.
His first film as a director was Adhipathi, released in 1994. He subsequently directed movies such as Gold Medal and Lockup Death. His early work helped establish his reputation as a filmmaker with an interest in action-driven commercial cinema.
Om Prakash Rao’s Popular Movies
Some of the most notable films associated with Om Prakash Rao include:
- Lockup Death
- Simhada Mari
- AK 47
- Huchcha
- Kalasipalya
- Annavru
- Hubli
- Sugreeva
- AK 56
- Bheema Theeradalli
- Shiva
- Prince
- Mandya
- Thunta
His filmography shows that he has worked across several genres and has frequently combined action, drama and commercial entertainment. Chiloka’s filmography records his credits as director, actor, writer and producer across numerous Kannada films.
AK 47 and Lockup Death
Lockup Death and AK 47 are among the films most closely associated with Om Prakash Rao’s reputation as a commercial filmmaker.
His direction has generally been characterised by energetic action sequences, dramatic storytelling and commercial elements. Filmibeat describes his films as being known for racy screenplays and extensive action sequences and highlights AK 47 and Lockup Death among his successful works.
Om Prakash Rao as an Actor
Although he is primarily recognised as a director, Om Prakash Rao has also acted in Kannada films. His acting debut is generally listed as Dakota Express, released in 2002.
He subsequently appeared in a number of movies in supporting and character roles. His filmography includes acting credits in films such as Fair & Lovely, Dhool, Aithalakkadi, Power Star, Savari 2, Nimbe Huli and others.
His distinctive comic style and direct personality have also contributed to his popularity outside filmmaking.
Om Prakash Rao and Bigg Boss Kannada 4
Om Prakash Rao first entered the Bigg Boss Kannada house during Season 4 in 2016.
He entered the house as a wildcard contestant after the season had already started. His entry generated considerable interest because of his reputation as a filmmaker and his outspoken personality.
During his stay, he became one of the more noticeable personalities in the house. He was eventually eliminated in the seventh week after being nominated, with reports at the time also mentioning health-related issues that resulted in him leaving the house temporarily for medical treatment.
Om Prakash Rao in Bigg Boss Kannada 13
Bigg Boss Kannada 13 marks Om Prakash Rao’s second appearance in the franchise.
On September 6, 2026, reports confirmed that the veteran filmmaker had entered the Bigg Boss Kannada 13 house. Vijaya Karnataka described his entry as an unexpected return and highlighted his reputation for direct speech, action-oriented filmmaking and comedy.
The return is particularly interesting because Rao already has experience with the Bigg Boss format. Unlike first-time contestants, he knows the dynamics of living inside the house, dealing with nominations and interacting with other contestants under constant camera surveillance.
His previous Bigg Boss experience combined with his decades of experience in Kannada cinema could make him one of the more outspoken and unpredictable personalities of the season.
Why Om Prakash Rao’s Bigg Boss Kannada 13 Entry Is Special
- Second Bigg Boss appearance: He previously participated in Bigg Boss Kannada 4.
- Veteran filmmaker: He has decades of experience in Kannada cinema.
- Strong personality: He is known for his direct and outspoken communication style.
- Actor and director: His experience extends beyond filmmaking to acting and writing.
- Reality-TV experience: He already understands the pressures of the Bigg Boss house.
- Entertainment value: His humour and candid nature could make him a prominent contestant.
Om Prakash Rao Family
Om Prakash Rao is the son of Kannada actor and comedian N. S. Rao and Yashodhamma. His family has had a long association with the Kannada entertainment industry.
His daughter Shravya Rao is also an actress. She entered the film industry in the early 2010s and appeared in Kannada cinema.
Public sources also list his family relationships and marriages, but because personal-life details are inconsistently reported across entertainment databases, specific claims should be treated cautiously unless confirmed by the individuals involved.
Om Prakash Rao Filmography
| Year | Film | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | Adhipathi | Director / Writer |
| 1994 | Lockup Death | Director |
| 1997 | Simhada Mari | Director / Writer |
| 1999 | AK 47 | Director / Writer |
| 2001 | Huchcha | Director |
| 2002 | Dakota Express | Actor |
| 2004 | Kalasipalya | Director / Writer |
| 2006 | Hubli | Director / Writer |
| 2009 | Kannadada Kiran Bedi | Actor / Director / Writer |
| 2010 | Sugreeva | Director |
| 2012 | AK 56 | Director / Writer |
| 2012 | Bheema Theeradalli | Director / Writer |
| 2013 | Election | Director / Writer |
| 2015 | Katte | Actor / Director / Writer |
The filmography above is a selected list of notable credits rather than a complete list of every acting and filmmaking credit.
Om Prakash Rao Age
Reliable public sources available today do not consistently provide a verified date of birth for Om Prakash Rao. Therefore, an exact age should not be stated without an authoritative source.
He is, however, a veteran figure in Kannada cinema with a career spanning several decades.
Om Prakash Rao Net Worth
There is no reliably verified public figure for Om Prakash Rao’s current net worth. Various entertainment websites may publish estimated figures, but these numbers are generally not supported by audited financial information.
Therefore, it is better to avoid quoting an exact net-worth amount unless it is officially disclosed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is N. Om Prakash Rao?
N. Om Prakash Rao is a Kannada film director, producer, screenwriter and actor known for commercial and action-oriented films.
Where was Om Prakash Rao born?
Om Prakash Rao was born in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
What was Om Prakash Rao’s first movie as a director?
His directorial debut was Adhipathi, released in 1994.
Which are Om Prakash Rao’s famous movies?
Some of his best-known films include Lockup Death, Simhada Mari, AK 47, Huchcha and Kalasipalya.
Is Om Prakash Rao a Bigg Boss Kannada contestant?
Yes. He has participated in Bigg Boss Kannada 4 and returned to the show for Bigg Boss Kannada 13 in 2026.
Was Om Prakash Rao a wildcard contestant in Bigg Boss Kannada 4?
Yes. He entered Bigg Boss Kannada 4 as a wildcard contestant during the season.
Who is Om Prakash Rao’s father?
His father was Kannada actor and comedian N. S. Rao.
Is Om Prakash Rao an actor?
Yes. Apart from directing and producing films, he has acted in Kannada movies. His acting debut is listed as Dakota Express in 2002.
Conclusion
N. Om Prakash Rao is one of the experienced names associated with Kannada commercial cinema. From starting his directorial career with Adhipathi to directing popular films such as Lockup Death, AK 47, Huchcha and Kalasipalya, he has built a long career across direction, writing, production and acting.
His connection with Bigg Boss Kannada adds another interesting chapter to his career. After appearing in Season 4 as a wildcard contestant, he has returned to the house in Bigg Boss Kannada 13 in 2026. His experience, outspoken personality and long association with Sandalwood make him one of the contestants to watch in the latest season.
