Om Prakash Sharma
14 Oct 1998 in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India
Om Prakash Sharma (1924–1998), popularly known as Janpriya Lekhak, was one of the most celebrated Hindi detective fiction writers, authoring over 450 novels. Renowned for introducing realistic Indian characters instead of translations or imitations of English stories, he combined imagination with social awareness, championing the voice of common people while enriching Hindi literature and culture.
Biography
Om Prakash Sharma (25 December 1924 – 14 October 1998), lovingly remembered as Janpriya Lekhak, was one of the most prolific and celebrated writers of Hindi popular literature. Best known for his contribution to Hindi detective fiction, he authored more than 450 novels, making him a household name for decades. At a time when detective stories were often copied or translated from English, Sharma introduced original plots rooted in Indian society, with heroes drawn from the lives of ordinary men and women. Through them, he championed Indian ideals, the dignity of the poor, and the struggles of everyday people.
Born in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, Sharma was the eldest son of Shiv Charan and Devi. After spending some years in Delhi, where he worked with Delhi Cloth Mill (DCM) and participated in trade union activities, he eventually returned to Meerut. Inspired by socialist and nationalist ideals, he was actively involved in the Indian freedom struggle and was even jailed twice by the British. It was during this turbulent period that his love for reading evolved into a passion for writing. He also ran his own publishing venture, Delhi Pustak Sadan, before founding Janpriya Prakashan, which brought his works to countless readers across India.
Sharma’s first widely acclaimed novel was Saanjh Ka Sooraj, a historical work based on the 1857 Revolution and the last Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar. Although famous for his detective thrillers, he also wrote novels on social evils like dowry, casteism, untouchability, and the challenges faced by the elderly. His storytelling was enriched with poetic style, sharp observation, and moral depth, making his works both entertaining and thought-provoking.
His writing style was deeply influenced by Sharat Chandra Chattopadhyay. While he excelled in suspense and thrillers, Sharma also experimented with social and historical fiction, weaving together real events with imagination to create gripping narratives. Many of his recurring characters—such as Rajesh, Jagat, Jayant, Jagan, Gopali, and Bandook Singh—became icons of Hindi detective fiction. His works also paid tribute to Devaki Nandan Khatri, as seen in his ‘Bhootnath’ series and the fictional Bhootnath Colony.
A passionate lover of Indian classical music, Sharma admired artists like Kumar Gandharva and often reflected musical rhythm in his prose. Though offered opportunities to write for Hindi cinema, he declined, preferring a peaceful literary life. Still, his novel Dhadkan inspired the film Chameli Ki Shaadi, directed by Basu Chatterjee and starring Anil Kapoor, which remains a popular adaptation of his work.
For his outstanding contribution to Hindi literature, he was honored with the title of Novel Samrat by the Government of Uttar Pradesh. Beyond detective thrillers, his novels carried a progressive vision and left a lasting impact on generations of readers. Even today, Om Prakash Sharma is remembered not only as a master of suspense but also as a writer who gave voice to the aspirations and struggles of common Indians, making him truly a people’s writer.
Books by Om Prakash Sharma
