Kalpana Iyer
Indian actress, singer, and model (born 1956)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kalpana Iyer (born 26 July 1956) is a former Indian actress and singer, best known for her work in Hindi cinema in the 1980s and 1990s. She appeared in over 100 films and became renowned for her performances in popular dance numbers, as well as for her supporting and guest roles.
Kalpana Iyer | |
|---|---|
| Born | 26 July 1956 |
| Occupations | Actress, singer |
| Years active | 1978–1999 |
Career
Pageantry
She was the first runner-up at Miss India in 1978. She went on to represent her country at the Miss World 1978 beauty pageant where she was a top 15 semi-finalist.[citation needed]
Acting
Kalpana mostly appeared as a vamp woman in a number of Hindi films, continuing in the tradition of Bindu, Helen and Aruna Irani. Some of her famous dance numbers are "Hari om Hari" in Pyaara Dushman (1980), "Tu Mujhe Jaan" in Wardat (1981) and "Rambha Ho" in Armaan (1981).[1] Some of her renowned films are Satte Pe Satta (1982), Disco Dancer (1982), Anjaam (1994), Raja Hindustani (1996), and Hum Saath Saath Hain (1999).[2] She was critically acclaimed for her performance as a prison warden in Anjaam which also featured Bollywood superstars Madhuri Dixit and Shah Rukh Khan. As of 2019, Iyer has appeared in a variety of films, as well as working on television.[3]
Other ventures
Iyer also dabbled in singing, and performed in shows.[4] She was the manager of a restaurant in Dubai called "The Moghul Room" which was owned by former Bollywood actor Rajan Sippy.[5][6]
Personal life
She was born in a Tamil Brahmin family[7] Despite being considered as one of the bold actresses of her time, Iyer mentioned how she had a rather conservative mindset and was often misunderstood.[5] Iyer told FirstPost in 2019:
"I was always misunderstood, you know, as the ‘it-girl’ personifying glamour and oomph. A Miss India, a model, an actress. Everyone assumed I was bold but I was actually very simple… God-fearing, always concerned about ruffling the feathers of my conservative Tam Bram family who were quiet and simple, and into Carnatic music… telling too many white lies to protect too many people."
— Kalpana Iyer
Filmography
Film
| Year | Film | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Lootmaar | Dancer |
| 1980 | Pyaara Dushman | Dancer |
| 1981 | Poonam | |
| 1981 | Hum Se Badkar Kaun | Shalu |
| 1981 | Wardat | Dancer |
| 1981 | Armaan | Dancer |
| 1981 | Kudrat | Dancer |
| 1982 | Satte Pe Satta | Ranjeet's Mistress |
| 1982 | Disco Dancer | Nikki Brown |
| 1982 | Waqt Ke Shehzade | |
| 1982 | Sawaal | Dancer |
| 1984 | Hum Hain Lajawab | Alif-Laila |
| 1984 | Nallavanukku Nallavan | Dancer |
| 1985 | Ameer Aadmi Gharib Aadmi | |
| 1988 | Zakhmi Aurat | Kanta |
| 1989 | Mil Gayee Manzil Mujhe | Kamini |
| 1989 | Abhi To Main Jawan Hoon | |
| 1990 | Tum Mere Ho | Nagin |
| 1994 | Laadla | Kamini |
| 1994 | Anjaam | Jail Warden |
| 1995 | Gundaraj | Public Prosecutor |
| 1996 | Raja Hindustani | In song "Pardesi Pardesi" |
| 1999 | Hum Saath Saath Hain | |
| 1999 | Dil Hi Dil Mein |
Kunal's mother |
Television
| Year | Serial | Role | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992-1993 | Kashish | Mrs. Anand (Rahul's mother) | DD National |
| 1994 | Junoon | Parvati | |
| Chandrakanta | Dum Dumi Maai | ||
| Farmaan | Tasneem Pasha | ||
| Banegi Apni Baat | Zee Tv | ||
| Margarita | Margarita | "Elena Mai" |
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