Upendra Rao is a renowned Kannada filmmaker, screenwriter, actor, and politician. He is considered 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; as of 2022) in Bangalore. He pursued a bachelor’s degree in Commerce at APS College of Commerce, Bangalore. When he was studying in college, he actively participated in theatrical productions.
A picture of Upendra Rao during his NCC days
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 9″
Weight (approx.): 75 kg
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Black
Body Measurements (approx.): Chest: 42 inches, Waist: 28 inches, Biceps: 15 inches
Family
Upendra Rao belongs to Tulu speaking Koteshwara Magane Madhwa Brahmin community.
Parents & Siblings
His father, Manjunath Rao, was a cook. His mother’s name is Anusuya. Upendra has an elder brother named Sudhindra Rao. Sudhindra worked in the Border Security Force. After serving for ten years, he left the military to help Upendra in production and film-related works.
Upendra Rao with his parents and wife
Wife & Children
On 14 December 2003, Upendra Rao got married to Priyanka Trivedi, who is an actress. Priyanka won the title of Miss Kolkata 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 started his career as a writer and an 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 (extreme right) on the sets of the film Tharle Nan Maga (1992)
Upendra directed a horror suspense thriller film ‘Shhh!’ In 1993, and in 1998, he directed the Kannada films ‘Swasthik’ and ‘A.’ In 1999, Upendra directed a 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’s 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 film ‘Upendra’ in 1999.
Theatrical poster of the Kannada film ‘Upendra’
He made cameo appearances in his own directed films such as A (1998), Shhh! (1993) and, Operation Antha (1995). Apart from this, 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 film ‘Aishwarya’ (2006)
Politician
On 6 March 2018, Upendra drifted from the political party, Karnataka Pragnyavanta Janata Paksha, that he helped establish, due to a misunderstanding between him and D. Mahesh Gowda. He then formed another party named Uttama Prajakeeya Party (UPP).
Uttama Prajakeeya Party Logo
Awards & Achievements
Udaya Film Awards
1999: Best male actor for film ‘A’
2003: Best male actor for film Nagarahavu
2011: Best Screenplay for the film Super
2013: Best Male Actor for the film Kalpana
47th Filmfare Awards South
2000: Best Director and Best film for the film Upendra
Hello Gandhinagara AwardsÂ
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 Film for the film Super
1st SIIMA Awards
2012: Special appreciation award for the film Shrimathi
Karnataka State Film Awards
2012: Best Director and Best film for the film Super
2nd SIIMA Awards
2013: Critics award for best actor for the film Katariveera Surasundarangi
5th SIIMA Awards
2016: Best Director for the film Uppi 2
Facts/Trivia
- When Upendra was studying in school, he actively participated in debates, cultural activities, and writing dramas.
- When Upendra was young, his family was poor. They couldn’t afford money for an eye problem that Upendra had as a baby.
- Due to the poor conditions at home, Upendra and his brother used to do odd jobs such as making paper covers with newspapers and supplying them to roadside fruit sellers, and packing parcels to earn money.
- When Upendra was studying in school, he participated in a children’s play ‘Compounder Gunda,’ in which he shouted as a part of acting. 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, its 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.