Omar Lulu is an Indian filmmaker who primarily works in the Malayalam entertainment industry. In 2016, he made his directorial debut with the Malayalam film Happy Wedding. In April 2023, he contested in the Malayalam reality series Bigg Boss (season five).
Wiki/Biography
Omar Abdul Vahab was born on Tuesday, 30 October 1984 (age 38 years; as of 2022) in Mundur, Thrissur, Kerala. His zodiac sign is Scorpio. He completed his schooling at the De-Paul English Medium Higher Secondary School, Choondal, Thrissur, Kerala. Later, he pursued a Bachelor of Technology (B. Tech) in Civil Engineering at the Royal College of Engineering & Technology (RCET), Chiramanangad, Thrissur, Kerala.
A childhood photograph of Omar Lulu
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 7″
Weight (approx.): 75 kg
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Black
Family
Parents & Siblings
His father’s name is N. P. Abdul Vahab. He was an NRI, and later when he returned to India, he started farming. His mother’s name is Subaida. She was a homemaker. He has two sisters. Their names are not known.
A childhood photograph of Omar Lulu with his father
Omar Lulu with his mother
Wife & Children
On 28 March 2010, Omar got married to Rinshi. They were classmates at the Royal College of Engineering & Technology (RCET), Chiramanangad, Thrissur, Kerala. He has three children, two daughters, and one son. His son’s name was Eshan Ul Omar. His daughters’ names were Iyrin Omar and Dhwani Omar; Dhwani is his youngest child.
A photograph of Omar Lulu and his wife from their wedding ceremony
Omar Lulu with Eshan Omar
Iyrin Omar
Eshan and Iyrin with Dhwani Omar
Religion
He follows Islam.
Address
Nalakath Puthenpurackal, Mundur (P.O.) Thrissur, PIN-680541
Career
Film
In 2016, he made his directorial debut with the Malayalam romantic comedy Happy Wedding. On 20 May 2016, Happy Wedding was released in around 35 theatres. Later, after the film received positive reports from the audience, it got into around 130 theatres and completed a 100-day theatrical run in Kerala.
A photograph of Omar Lulu (black shirt) with Siju Wilson (right) from the set of Happy Wedding
The Malayalam comedy ‘Chunkzz’ released in 2017 was his second directorial venture and the script was based on his story; the film was a commercial success. In 2019, he directed his third film Oru Adaar Love; the film featured debut actors in all the prominent roles. Initially, Roshan Abdul Rahoof and Noorin Shereef were cast as the lead actors in Oru Adaar Love; however, following the popularity gained by Priya Prakash Varrier after the release of the song Manikya Malaraya Poovi, the producers demanded changes be made in the script and the shooting was delayed.
DVD poster of the Malayalam film Oru Adar Love
On 14 February 2019, the film was released simultaneously in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada and some reports suggested that the film grossed more than Rs. 12 crores in India. Oru Adaar Love received negative reviews from critics and failed to match the hype it gained on the internet before its release. Lulu’s Malayalam comedy ‘Dhamaka’ was released in 2020; he wrote the story and the film was a flop at the Kerala box office. Omar wrote the story and directed the Malayalam film Nalla Samayam released in December 2022.
A photograph of Omar Lulu with his crew members during the post-production works of the Malayalam film Nalla Samayam
Nalla Samayam attracted controversy soon after its trailer was launched as many alleged that the film promoted the use of MDMA. The film was removed from the theatres within three days of its release as a case was registered against the director and the producer. Later, the Kerala High Court cancelled the case, and the film was released on the OTT platform Saina Play.
Television
In April 2023, he made his television debut as the second wildcard entrant of the Bigg Boss Malayalam season five.
#BBMS5Gossips “മനീഷയുടെ പാട്ട് എന്നെ ബോറടിപ്പിക്കുന്നു” തുറന്ന് പറഞ്ഞ ഒമർ ലുലു
Bigg Boss Season 5 || Mon to Fri at 9:30 Sat & Sun at 9 PM || Asianet#BiggBoss #BiggBossMalayalam #BiggBossSeason5 #BBMS5 #BB5 #Mohanlal #ORIGINAL #BattleoftheOriginals #TheeParum #Asianet pic.twitter.com/UXzCWBIRSV
— asianet (@asianet) April 25, 2023
Music Video
In September 2020, he produced the Malayalam album song ‘Edi Edi Penne’ under the banner of Omar Lulu Entertainments; the Tamil version of the song was titled Adi Adi Penne. On 12 February 2021, the Hindi music video album song ‘Tu Hi Hai Meri Zindagi’ was released on YouTube; it was his first Hindi album song directorial. On 30 June 2021, the Malayalam music video album ‘Dhoore Dhoore’ was released on YouTube; this was the first Malayalam album directed by him.
A still of Ishrat Sooraj Saleem and Shimna Kamar from the Malayalam music video song Dhoore Dhoore
A still of Jumana Khan and Ajmal Khan from the Hindi album song Tu Hi Hai Meri Zindagi
Controversies
Manikya Malaraya Poovi hurt the Muslim sentiment!
In 2018, a complaint was filed in Hyderabad against the song titled ‘Manikya Malaraya Poovi’ from the Malayalam film ‘Oru Adaar Love’ directed by Omar Lulu. There were criticisms and allegations that the lyrics and the video of the song hurt Muslim sentiments; however, the director dismissed these claims and pointed out that the allegations were pointless and unnecessary. In an interview, he pointed out that the song was very popular in the Malabar region of Kerala and it contained the message of ‘love beyond borders.’
A still of Priya Prakash Varrier from the Malayalam film song Manikya Malaraya Poovi
Rift with Priya Prakash Varrier
Some reports suggested that the director and Priya Prakash Varrier were not on talking terms after the actress suddenly became famous during the shooting of the Malayalam film Oru Adaar Love. In an interview, he alleged that the actors started interfering with the script of ‘Oru Adaar Love’ after they became famous and these interventions led to the movie’s failure. According to some reports, the director was forced to shoot a new climax and also the producers wanted to give Priya more screen time. She ended up getting more screen presence than Noorin Shereef who was initially cast as the lead actress in the film.
Copyright Infringement
In 2019, he landed in trouble after he used a Shaktimaan reference in his Malayalam film Dhamaka without prior permission from Mukesh Khanna who played the role of Shaktimaan.
A photograph of Mukesh as Shaktimaan from the sets of the Malayalam film Dhamaka
Khanna alleged that the director used the Shaktimaan reference without his permission and filed a complaint with the Film Employees Federation of Kerala (FEFKA) to remove the part from the film and threatened to sue Omar if he did not comply; Khanna alleged that he was not notified of the use of the character and accused Omar of using his character without gaining copyright. Following Khanna’s complaint with the FEFKA, Omar posted an apology letter on social media and expressed his regret to Mukesh. On 4 October 2019, Khanna allowed the Dhamaka team to use the Shaktimaan reference in the film.
Trolled for questioning the closing of hotels during Ramadan
In 2022, he raised his concern about the closing of hotels in Kerala during the month of Ramadan through different posts shared on social media. Through his social media post, the director alleged that he was not able to eat his favourite foods during Ramadan as many of the hotels were closed and suggested that the owners of the hotels should place a board in their shops which said ‘Food here is aimed at Muslims only’. His comments were heavily criticised by many on social media and they labelled him as a BJP and RSS sympathizer.
Derogatory posts against Soubin Shahir
In July 2022, derogatory posts and screenshots appeared on the director’s Facebook profile against the Malayalam actor and director Soubin Shahir. After multiple posts started appearing on his Facebook wall, the director took it down and clarified that he or his team were unaware of the incident and apologised to the actor and the public. Later, Omar shared alleged that someone tried to hack his account.
Accused of promoting the usage of MDMA in his film
The Kozhikode Excise Inspector registered a case under Abkari Act and Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act against the director and producer of the Malayalam film ‘Nalla Samayam’ for allegedly promoting the use of MDMA in the teaser of the film. Angeline Mariya who was part of the film made some comments encouraging the use of MDMA after the movie’s premiere. Many people complained that the film promoted the use of drugs and other banned substances. In January 2023, ‘Nalla Samayam’ was withdrawn from the theatres after three days of its release. On 24 March 2023, the Kerala High Court cancelled the case against him and the producer, and the film was released on the OTT platform Saina Play.
Bike Collection
He owns a Royal Enfield Bullet.
Omar Lulu riding his bullet
Car Collection
He owns a Mahindra Thar, Mahindra XUV700, and Maruti Suzuki Nexa.
Omar Lulu’s Mahindra Thar
Omar Lulu with his children receiving his Maruti Suzuki Nexa
Omar Lulu (right) with his Mahindra XUV700
Facts/Trivia
- He follows a non-vegetarian diet.
Omar Lulu was spotted eating Kerala parotta and chicken 65
- In an interview, he revealed that when his Malayalam directorial debut ‘Happy Wedding’ was released in 2016, the theatre owners in his hometown refused to run his film by pointing out that Omar was not an experienced director; however, the film ended up as a blockbuster at the Kerala box office.
- Omar Lulu and his wife, Rinshi, celebrate their birthday on the same date.
Omar Lulu and his wife celebrating their birthday with the children
- Omar was a member of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML). He was a member of the IUML during his college days and later became the leader of the Party in Kaiparambu, Thrissur, Kerala. Later, when he joined the entertainment industry Omar tendered his resignation as a member of the IUML.
A photograph of Omar Lulu (second from right) during his time as an IUML leader in Kaiparambu, Thrissur, Kerala
- He was an ardent cricket fan.
A photograph of Omar Lulu playing cricket
- He often smokes cigarettes.
A photograph of Omar Lulu smoking a cigarette
- The Malayalam song, Manikya Malaraya Poovi, from his film Oru Adaar Love (2019) got more than 105 million views on YouTube.
- In an interview, the director revealed that once he was forced to cancel a trailer launch function which was supposed to take place at the HiLITE Mall in Kozhikode, Kerala. Omar pointed out that the mall authorities tried to cancel the program because he chose actress Shakeela as the chief guest of the function. Lulu alleged that the authorities informed him that he could go ahead with the function if he was willing to change the chief guest; however, the director went on to cancel the event and apologised to the actress.
Omar Lulu with Shakeela
- On 10 March 2023, he inaugurated the Qui Noshery TSR cafe owned by Angeline Mariya.
A photograph of Omar Lulu with Angeline Mariya at the inauguration function of the Qui Noshery TSR cafe
- On 16 April 2023, Omar announced that he was making his directorial debut in the Hindi film industry through a post shared on social media.
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education