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 (2012) 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.

Kalpana began her career as a child artist in the film Vidarunna Mottukal. After making her debut as a mainstream actor in the 1982 film Pokkuveyil, directed by G. Aravindan, she went on to star in several critically acclaimed films and her portrayals as a comedian were appreciated by critics. Her Tamil debut was through the 1985 released successful film Chinna Veedu, opposite K. Bhagyaraj. Her other memorable films include Sathi Leelavathi (1995) and Kaliveedu (1996). 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.

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.

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.

• 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)

• Palavattam

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

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