Kalpana

Kalpana Priyadarshini (5 October 1965 – 25 January 2016), better known mononymously as Kalpana, was an Indian actress who appeared in South Indian films, predominantly in Malayalam and Tamil. Kalpana acted in over 300 films in various South Indian languages. She won the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Thanichalla Njan at the 60th National Film Awards. Kalpana began her career as a child artist in the late 1970s. She became popular among the audiences for her comic roles.

Career

Kalpana began her career as a child artist in the film Vidarunna Mottukal. She performed in a music album with Usha Uthup. She published her memoirs, Njan Kalpana. Kalpana sang a song in the movie Kudumbakodathi, along with K.S. Chithra.

Personal life

Kalpana was born to theater artists Chavara V. P. Nair and Vijayalakshmi. Actors Kalaranjini and Urvashi are her sisters. Her two brothers, Kamal Roy and Prince, had also acted in a few Malayalam movies. Prince (who acted as Nandu in Layanam) committed suicide at the age of 17. Kamal Roy (who acted as Ananthapadmanabhan in Kalyana Sougandhikam) died in 2026 at the age of 54 due to heart failure.

She married Malayalam film director Anil Kumar in 1998. They divorced in 2012. They have one daughter.

Death

Kalpana went to Hyderabad for the shooting of the movie Oopiri / Thozha which starred Karthi. On 25 January 2016, she was found unconscious in her hotel room and was immediately taken to the hospital, but died of a heart attack on the way. Following a postmortem, her body was flown to her native place on 26 January 2016. The funeral took place on the same day.

Awards

2013 - National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress – for the film Thanichalla Njan 2016 - Asianet Film Awards for Best Supporting Actress - for the film Charlie (Posthumously awarded) 2016 - Henko Flowers Indian Film Awards for Best Supporting Actress - for the film Charlie (Posthumously awarded) 2016 - South Indian International Movie Awards for Best Supporting Actress (Malayalam) - for the film Charlie (Nominated only) 2016 - CPC Cine Awards for Best supporting actress - for the film Charlie (Nominated only)

Filmography

Malayalam + List of Kalpana Malayalam film credits Year Film Role Notes 1977 Vidarunna Mottukal Child artist 3 Wikkattinu 365 Runs Kanakavalli Lavender Janet Ennum Eppozhum Bindhu Manam Thelinjathu Ente Sathyanweshana Pareekshakal 2019 Aakasha Ganga 2 Aaveshananda Swamigal Photo only 2021 Anugraheethan Antony Thresia Varghese Photo only 2022 19(1)(a) Gangettan's wife Photo only 2025 Thudarum George's wife Photo only

Tamil + List of Kalpana Tamil film credits Year Movie Role Notes 1985 Chinna Veedu Bhagyalakshmi 1986 Thalaiyatti Bommaigal Saradha 1987 Thirumathi Oru Vegumathi Uma 1991 Mookuthi Poo Meley 1994 Sindhu Nathi Poo Shenbaga Valli Ipadikku Kaadhal Lilly 1995 Sathi Leelavathi Leelavathi 1997 Poochudava Arul, Kannan's sister 2001 Chithiram Looty Sona Dumm Dumm Dumm Pattamma Veettoda Mappillai Jamuna 2002 Pammal K. Sambandam Nurse Mariyakutty 2003 Aalukkoru Aasai Govindamma 2005 Idhaya Thirudan Kamala 2006 Kasu 2007 Arputha Theevu Mallika 2009 Sirithal Rasipen Eshwari 2015 Kaaki Sattai Meenakshi 2016 Thozha Lakshmi 2017 Kadhal Kasakuthaiya Arjun's mother Vaigai Express N/AVoice for Anuradha (Archana Chandhoke) 2018 Itly Lilly

Kannada

Telugu

Albums Palavattam

Television

Malayalam television Serials Vamsham (DD Malayalam) Sathi Leelavathi (Amrita TV) Kudumbasametham Manikutty (Jaihind TV) Kochu Thresya Kochu (Kairali TV) Hukka Huvva Mikkado (Kairali TV) Jagapoga (Kairali TV) Aathma (Kairali TV) In Panchali House (Surya TV) Hello Machambi Women's Club Irattavalan Kurup

As Host Ponkireedam (Jaihind TV) Manaporutham (Asianet) Star Singer (Asianet) Run Baby Run (Asianet Plus) Amrita Onam (Amrita TV) Onakinnaram (Surya TV) Payasaperumma (Jeevan TV) Vellithirayile Ambilikala (Kairali TV) Kalpana Show 2006 (DD Malayalam) The Kalpana Show 2002 (Asianet) Apratheekshitha Athithi : Ee Onam Ivarodoppam (Asianet) Only Ministers (Jaihind TV) Golden Moments K P Ummer Interview Mukesh.com Mega Show

Other shows

Smart Show (Flowers) Comedy Super Nite (Flowers) Tharapakittu (Kaumudy TV) Cinema Company (Kaumudy TV) Deal or No Deal (Surya TV) Hairomax Mrs. Kerala (Surya TV) Suryathejassod Amma (Surya TV) Suryaprabhayil Priyatharangal (Surya TV) Kitchen Tharangal (Surya TV) Super Dancer Junior (Amrita TV) Annie's Kitchen (Amrita TV) Malayali Durbar (Amrita TV) Vanitharatnam (Amrita TV) Star Family (Amrita TV) Ningalkkum Aakaam Kodeeshwaran(Asianet) Sarigama (Asianet) Saregamapadhanisa (Asianet) Idea Star Singer (Asianet) Sell Me The Answer (Asianet) Badai Bungalow (Asianet) Comedy Stars (Asianet) Smile Plz (Asianet Plus) Thiranottam (ACV) Ruchibhedam (ACV) Kerala's Favourite Film Actor (ACV) On Record (Asianet News) Onnum Onnum Moonu (Mazhavil Manorama) Cinema Chirima (Mazhavil Manorama) Idavelayil (Mazhavil Manorama) Katha Ithuvare (Mazhavil Manorama) Aniyarayil (Mazhavil Manorama) Nere Chovve (Manorama News) Veedu (Manorama News) Pachakuthira (Kairali TV) Star Wars (Kairali TV) Veettamma (Kairali TV) Chirikkum Pattanam (Kairali TV) JB Junction (Kairali TV) Students Only (Kairali TV) Jagapoga (Kairali TV) Love Bites (Kairali We) Ammayiyamma Marumakal Contest (Jaihind TV) Jeevitham Ithuvare (Jaihind TV) Ammaykku Oru Umma (Jaihind TV) Ini Njangal Parayam (DD Malayalam) 2 Crore Apple Mega Star (Jeevan TV) Karunaniravil Kalpana Mukhamukham Kalpana Onam in Singapore Crossroads Tharaprabha Asiavision Lux Asianet Asianet Television Awards Jaycey Awards Kerala Kaumudi Onam Celebrations 2009 Malayalam Super Star Nite 1987 Arabian Dreams Mazhavilazhakil Amma Special Athithi Kairali Cultural Association's Onam Asianet Film Awards Kerala Kalotsavam Kerala Tourism Onam Celebrations Siddique Lal's Cine Galaxy 94 Rhythm 92

Tamil television Serials Chinna Papa Periya Papa Season 2 (Sun TV) as China Papa Abirami (Kalaignar TV) as Kusalam Thangam (Sun TV) (guest role) as Kuchalambal Mama Maaple (Sun TV) as Parimalam Kathiravan (Sun TV) as Janu