Kalpana Iyer (born 26 July 1956) is a former Indian actress, singer, and model, who is best known for her works in

Hindi cinema Hindi cinema, popularly known as Bollywood and formerly as Bombay cinema, refers to the film industry based in Mumbai, engaged in production of motion pictures in Hindi language. The popular term Bollywood, is a portmanteau of "Bombay" (fo ...

throughout the 1980s and 1990s. She appeared in over 100 films, and is accredited for her performances in many popular dance numbers as well as for her supporting and guest roles in many films.

Career

Modelling

She was the first runner-up at

Miss India Miss India may refer to: * Femina Miss India, the most prestigious and oldest surviving national beauty pageant in India that started in 1964. It sends its winner to Miss World. * Miss Diva, the national beauty pageant that sends its winners to Miss ...

in 1978,. She went on to represent her country at the

Miss World 1978 Miss World 1978, the 28th edition of the Miss World pageant, was held on 16 November 1978 at the Royal Albert Hall in London, UK. The winner was Silvana Suárez from Argentina. She was crowned by Miss World 1977, Mary Stävin of Sweden. First ...

beauty pageant where she was a top 15 semi-finalist.

Acting

Kalpana mostly appeared as a vamp in a number of Hindi films, continuing in the tradition of Bindu,

Helen Helen may refer to: People * Helen of Troy, in Greek mythology, the most beautiful woman in the world * Helen (actress) (born 1938), Indian actress * Helen (given name), a given name (including a list of people with the name) Places * Helen, ...

and

Aruna Irani Aruna Irani (born 3 May 1946) is an Indian actress, who has acted in over 500 films throughout Hindi, Kannada, Marathi and Gujarati cinema, playing mostly supporting and character roles. She has won two Filmfare Awards for Best Supporting Act ...

. Some of her famous dance numbers are "Hari om Hari" in '' Pyaara Dushman'' (1980), "Tu Mujhe Jaan" in ''

Wardat ''Wardat'' is a 1981 Hindi-language spy thriller film. The film is the sequel to ''Surakshaa''. Large locusts attack the farmers and farmlands resulting in hefty damages. Plot The Indian Government suspects that this is the work of some terrori ...

'' (1981) and "Rambha Ho" in '' Armaan'' (1981). Some of her renowned films are ''

Satte Pe Satta ''Satte Pe Satta'' (transl. 'Seven on Seven') is an Indian Hindi-language action-comedy film released in 1982 and directed by Raj N. Sippy, and produced by Romu N. Sippy. The film stars Amitabh Bachchan, Hema Malini, Amjad Khan, Ranjeeta Kaur ...

'' (1982), ''

Disco Dancer ''Disco Dancer'' is a 1982 Indian dance film, written by Rahi Masoom Raza and directed by Babbar Subhash. It stars Mithun Chakraborty and Kim in leading roles, with Om Puri, Gita Siddharth and Karan Razdan in supporting roles with Rajesh K ...

'' (1982), ''

Anjaam ''Anjaam'' () is a 1994 Indian Hindi-language psychological thriller film directed by Rahul Rawail. It stars Madhuri Dixit and Shah Rukh Khan in lead roles, with Tinnu Anand, Johnny Lever, Kalpana Iyer, Himani Shivpuri, Sudha Chandran, Been ...

'' (1994), ''

Raja Hindustani ''Raja Hindustani/Prema Bandham''(/ప్రేమ బంధం) is a 1996 Indian Hindi-language romantic drama film directed by Dharmesh Darshan. It tells the story of a cab driver from a small town who falls in love with a rich young woman. ...

'' (1996), and ''

Hum Saath Saath Hain ''Hum Saath-Saath Hain'' () is a 1999 Indian Hindi-language family drama film written and directed by Sooraj Barjatya under the production and distribution of Rajshri Productions. The film stars Salman Khan, Karisma Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan, Tabu, ...

'' (1999). She was critically acclaimed for her performance as a cruel prison warden in ''

'' which also featured Bollywood superstars

Madhuri Dixit Madhuri Dixit Nene (née Dixit; born 15 May 1967) is an Indian actress who primarily works in Hindi films. A leading actress of Indian cinema, she has appeared in over 70 films. Noted by critics for her beauty, dancing skills, and characters ...

and

Shah Rukh Khan Shah Rukh Khan (; born 2 November 1965), also known by the initialism SRK, is an Indian actor, film producer, and television personality who works in Hindi films. Referred to in the media as the " Baadshah of Bollywood", "King of Bollywood" ...

. As of 2019, Iyer has appeared in a variety of films, as well as working on television.

Other ventures

Iyer also dabbled in singing, and performed in shows. She is currently managing a restaurant in

Dubai Dubai (, ; ar, دبي, translit=Dubayy, , ) is the most populous city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the capital of the Emirate of Dubai, the most populated of the 7 emirates of the United Arab Emirates.The Government and Politics of ...

called "The Moghul Room" which is owned by former Bollywood actor

Rajan Sippy Rajan Sippy ( hi, राजन सिप्पी) is a Emirati businessman and former actor who acted in several films in the 1980s and also produced the film ''Shehzaade'' (1989). He is currently a businessman in Dubai and runs the restaurant ...

Personal life

She was born in a Tamil

Brahmin Brahmin (; sa, ब्राह्मण, brāhmaṇa) is a varna as well as a caste within Hindu society. The Brahmins are designated as the priestly class as they serve as priests (purohit, pandit, or pujari) and religious teachers (guru ...

family 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. Iyer told FirstPost in 2019:

Filmography

Film

Throughout her career, Iyer has appeared in over 100 films. *'' Poonam'' (1981) *''

Hum Se Badkar Kaun ''Hum Se Badhkar Kaun'' is a 1981 Indian Hindi-language action film directed by Deepak Bahry, starring Mithun Chakraborty, Vijayendra Ghatge, Ranjeeta, Amjad Khan, Danny Denzongpa, Kajal Kiran and Ranjeet. Plot Radha lives a poor lifestyle w ...

''(1981) as Shalu *''

'' (1982) as Ranjeet Mistress *'' Hum Hain Lajawaab'' (1984) as Alif-Laila , Dancer *''

Nallavanukku Nallavan ''Nallavanukku Nallavan'' () is a 1984 Indian Tamil-language action drama film, directed by S. P. Muthuraman and produced by AVM Productions. A remake of the 1983 Telugu film '' Dharmaatmudu'', it stars Rajinikanth and Raadhika, with Karthik, ...

'' (1984) item number *''

Ameer Aadmi Gharib Aadmi ''Ameer Aadmi Gareeb Aadmi'' is a 1985 Bollywood drama film, directed by Amjad Khan, starring Shatrughan Sinha, Kader Khan and Zeenat Aman in key roles. Plot This is the story of Subhash, a worker in a factory who lives with his small family. ...

(1985) *''

Zakhmi Aurat ''Zakhmi Aurat'' (English : Wounded Woman) is a 1988 Indian Hindi movie starring Dimple Kapadia and Raj Babbar and directed by Avtar Bhogal. Kapadia played Kiran Dutt, a police officer who is subject to gang rape and, when the judicial system fa ...

'' (1988) as Kanta *''

Mil Gayee Manzil Mujhe ''Mil Gayee Manzil Mujhe'' is a 1989 Indian Hindi-language film directed by Moeen Amjad, starring Mithun Chakraborty, Moon Moon Sen, Shakti Kapoor and Amrish Puri. Plot Vijay is an upright and laborious young man. He works as a stunt man f ...

''(1989) as Kamini *'' Abhi To Main Jawan Hoon'' (1989) *'' ''Laadla'' (1994 film)'' as Kamini *''

'' (1994) as Jailor Warden *''

Gundaraj , image = Gundaraj.jpg , image_size = , caption = Release poster , director = Guddu Dhanoa , producer = Lalit Kapoor Raju Narula , writer = Anees Bazmee (dialogue)Robin Henry (screenplay) , narrat ...

'' (1995) as Public Prosecutor *''

'' (1999) as Shobha Mishra

Television

, argarita(serial) , Margarita , , "Elena Mai"

References

External links

* Femina Miss India winners Indian expatriates in the United Arab Emirates Indian film actresses Actresses in Hindi cinema 20th-century Indian actresses Miss World 1978 delegates People from Amroha Actresses from Uttar Pradesh Female models from Uttar Pradesh 1956 births Living people {{India-film-actor-stub