Omar Abdul Vahab, professionally credited as Omar Lulu, is an Indian film director who works in Malayalam cinema. He made his directorial debut in 2016 with Happy Wedding.
Omar Lulu | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Omar Abdul Vahab 30 October 1984 |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation(s) | Film director Music Director |
| Years active | 2016–present |
| Spouse | Rinshi |
| Children | 3 |
Career edit
His debut film Happy Wedding starring Sharafudheen, Soubin Shahir, Siju Wilson and Justin John had a good run at the Kerala box-office and crossed 100 days run, it grossed ₹13.7 crore (US$1.7 million) at the box office.[1] His second film, Chunkzz, starring Honey Rose and Balu Varghese,[2] released in August 2017 and was a commercial success at the box-office, which collected around 20 crore at the box office.[3]
His third movie Oru Adaar Love was an international sensation[4] which made Priya P Warrier an internet sensation by a wink scene from the film.[5] It is also the first ever Malayalam film that got released in four different language (Malayalam, Telugu, Kannada and Tamil) simultaneously all around the world in more than 2000 theatres. The film made a box office hit for Omar and it is dubbed into Chinese, English, Arabic and all Indian languages. Dhamaka was his fourth movie released on theatres. In 2022, his fifth film titled Nalla Samayam released on theatres was withdrawn from the theaters three days after its release due to a case was filed against him by the Kozhikode Excise Inspector for promoting the use of the banned drug MDMA through the film.[6] New movies in planning are Power Star starring Kannada actor Shreyas Manju, Babu Antony and freshers' LoveYathra.[7]
Besides making films, Omar started directing musical albums by the year 2020. His last two albums, Tu Hi Hai Meri Zindagi and Jaana Meri Jaana starring Ajmal Khan and Jumana Khan was shot in Dubai in 2021.[8][9]
Filmography edit
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Happy Wedding | |
| 2017 | Chunkzz | Also storywriter |
| 2019 | Oru Adaar Love | |
| 2020 | Dhamaka | Also storywriter |
| 2022 | Nalla Samayam | Also storywriter |
| 2023 | Power Star † | Announced |
Music videos edit
Television edit
Personal life edit
Controversy edit
In December 2022, Kerala Excise Department registered a case against makers of Nalla Samayam, movie directed by Omar Lulu for allegedly promoting the use of MDMA in movie's teaser.[12] "Besides the substance, the trailer also had the scenes blindly promoting alcoholism and the makers of the movie did not even bother to show the statutory warning on the screen"; said officials.[13]
References edit
- ^ "'Happy Wedding' completes 101 days; here's worldwide box office collection of the surprise hit [PHOTOS]". Ibtimes.co.in. 23 August 2016. Retrieved 28 November 2016.
- ^ "Chunkzz MalayalamMovie CastingCall OmarLulu Heroine ചങ്ക്സിന് നായികയെ ആവശ്യമുണ്ട്". Mathrubhumi.com. Retrieved 28 November 2016.
- ^ "'Chunkzz first in collection".
- ^ "The wink that went viral: Director Omar Lulu on his Priya Prakash Varrier featured Oru Adaar Love". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
- ^ "The wink that stopped India". BBC News. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
- ^ "Omar Lulu's Nalla Samayam withdrawn from theatres following excise case". The Hindu. 2 January 2023. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
- ^ "Omar Lulu's 'Power Star' will have Babu Antony in the lead - Times of India". The Times of India.
- ^ "Watch New Hindi Song Music Video - 'Tu Hi Hai Meri Zindagi' Sung By Nikhil D'Souza | Hindi Video Songs - Times of India". timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
- ^ "Omar Lulu: Didn't expect such a great response for 'Jaana Mere Jaana' - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
- ^ Tu Hi Hai Meri Zindagi | Omar Lulu | Ajmal | Jumana | Nikhil D'Souza | Abhishek Talented | Jubair M, retrieved 31 August 2021
- ^ Jaana Mere Jaana | Mahiyil Maha | Omar Lulu |Vineeth Sreenivasan |Jubair Muhammed |Ajmal Jumana Khan, retrieved 31 August 2021
- ^ "Excise books makers of Omar Lulu's 'Nalla Samayam' movie for promoting substance abuse". English.Mathrubhumi. Retrieved 1 January 2023.
- ^ "Kerala filmmaker booked for promoting banned drug in movie trailer". The Indian Express. 30 December 2022. Retrieved 1 January 2023.