Kalpana

Kalpana Priyadarshini (13 October 1965 – 25 January 2016), better known mononymously as Kalpana, was an Indian film actress who has appeared in South Indian films, predominantly in Malayalam and Tamil films. Kalpana has acted in over 300 films in various South Indian languages.

Kalpana started off her career as a child artist in the late 1970s. Although she came into the industry with the intention of being a lead actress, she turned out to be popular among the audiences for her comic roles. At the 60th National Film Awards, she won the award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Thanichalla Njan (2012).

Kalpana began her career as a child artist in the film Vidarunna Mottukal. After making her debut as a mainstream actor in the 1980 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 has published her memoirs, Njan Kalpana. Kalpana has sung a song in the movie Kudumbakodathi, along with K.S. Chithra, in which she appeared as a Telugu speaking character. She had an inevitable presence in stage shows. She was the chairperson of "Janaseva Shishu Bhavan" and assistant chairperson of "Street Birds" and a strong promoter of "Kudumbasree".

Kalpana was born to theater artists Chavara V.P. Nair and Vijayalakshmi. Actresses Kalaranjini and Urvashi are her sisters. She married Malayalam film director Anil Kumar in 1998 and got divorced in 2012. They have one daughter, Sreemayi Anil.

Kalpana went to Hyderabad for the shooting of the movie Oopiri. On 25 January 2016, she was found unconscious in her hotel room by a roomboy who knocked the door around several times, but it didn't open. He forcefully opened the door and found her unconscious. She was immediately taken to the hospital by the crew members, but died on the way. Doctors confirmed that she died of heart attack. Postmortem was conducted and 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)

• Palavattam

Kalpana hosted several talk shows and interviews on Malayalam TV Channels. She frequently appeared as Judge in Asianet's Comedy Reality show Vodafone Comedy Stars. Kalpana's last talk show was also on Asianet. It was telecasted a few days before her demise. She has appeared in many advertisements also including "Mega Water Tank", "Nana", "Raidco Family Products", "Karunya Lottery Ticket" etc.

Malayalam television

Serials

• Sathi Leelavathi (Amrita TV)
• Kudumbasametham Manikutty (Jaihind TV)
• Kochu Thresya Kochu (Kairali TV)
• Hukka Huvva Mikkado (Kairali TV)
• In Panchali House (Surya TV)
• Aathma

As Host

• Ponkireedam (Jaihind TV)
• Manaporutham (Asianet)
• Run Baby Run (Asianet Plus)
• Amrita Onam (Amrita TV)
• K P Ummer Interview

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)
• 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)
• 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)
• Nere Chovve (Manorama News)
• Veedu (Manorama News)
• Pachakuthira (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
• Lux Asianet
• Asianet Television Awards
• Jaycey Awards
• Kalpana Show
• Special Athithi
• Kairali Cultural Association's Onam
• Asianet Film Awards
• Kerala Tourism Onam Celebrations
• Siddique Lal's Cine Galaxy 94

Tamil television

Serials

• Chinna Papa Periya Papa Season 2 (Sun TV) as China Papa
• Abirami (Kalaignar TV)
• Thangam (Sun TV) (guest role) as Kuchalambal
• Mama Maaple (Sun TV)
• Kathiravan as Janu