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.
Career
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.
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 1979 Sikharangal Pankajam 1980 Dwik Vijayam Child Artist 1981 Pathirasooryan Joly's friend 1982 Pokkuveyil Nisha Ithum Oru Jeevitham Sheela Yaagam Kannamma Anthiveyilile Ponnu 1983 Thaavalam Latha Manju Rashmi Aadhipathyam Gracy 1984 Radhayude Kamukan Bullet Panchavadi Palam Anarkali 1985 Ithu Nalla Thamasha Sundari/Gracy Choodatha Pookal Hema's friend Paara Pathamudayam 1986 Ithramathram Rajani Naale Njangalude Vivaham Mini's friend Ninnistham Ennishtam 1989 Oru Sayahnathinte Swapnam Thankamani Peruvannapurathe Visheshangal Mohini 1990 Dr. Pasupathy U. D. C. Kumari Kouthuka Varthakal Kamalu Maalayogam Subhadra Orukkam Alice Superstar Shakuntala Saandhram Anna Kashandikku Marumarunnu 1991 Inspector Balram SI Dakshayani Ottayal Pattalam Venu's lover Post Box No. 27 Gayathri Innathe Program Minikutty Pookkalam Varavayi Tuition Teacher Souhrudam Annamma Adayalam Rosemary 1992 Ennodishtam Koodamo Bhagyam Cheppadividya Mary Ardram Jaanu Mr & Mrs Kalpana Aparatha Mary 1993 Butterflies Parukutty Gandharvam Kottarakara Komalam Narayam Amina' s kin Injakkadan Mathai & Sons Annakutty Kabooliwala Chandrika Kavadiyattam Dolly Ponnu Chami Valli Porutham Vasantha Kokila Kalippattam Meenakshi Sakshal Sreeman Chathunni Reshmi Uppukandam Brothers Elamma 1994 Dadha Anandam CID Unnikrishnan B.A., B.Ed. House Maid Kudumba Vishesham Alykutty Pidakkozhi Koovunna Noottandu Ponnamma Poochakkaru Mani Kettum Karthika Sukham Sukhakaram Lilly The President 1995 Kaattile Thadi Thevarude Ana Kanaka Kalamasseriyil Kalyanayogam Chempakasseri Sakunthala Achan Kombathu Amma Varampathu Swayamprabha Parvathy Parinayam Radha Pai Brothers Komalam Avittam Thirunaal Aarogya Sriman Kousalya Punnaram Chandrika Rajakeeyam Snehaprabha Peter Scott Bessy No 1 Snehatheeram Bangalore North Metilda Mangala Soothram Sumithra Three Men Army Indira Devi Manashasthranjante Diary Nirnayam 1996 Excuse Me Ethu Collegila Sundari Kaathil Oru Kinnaram Manikutty Kaliveedu Mary Harbour Palisha Kathreena Kudumbakodathi Gundur Parvathi Malayaalamaasam Chingam Onninu Rukku Aramana Veedum Anjoorekkarum Swarnam 1997 Itha Oru Snehagatha Kochuthresia Junior Mandrake Vandana Kalyana Unnikal Lucie Ancharakalyanam Kalyani Raajathanthram Damayanthi Kottapurathe Koottukudumbam Chandrika Mannadiar Penninu Chenkotta Checkan Chamba Newspaper Boy Komalam Anuragakottaram Mother Superior Ullasapoongattu Marykutti Arjunan Pillayum Anchu Makkalum Jayaprabha Ishtadanam Stella Anubhoothi Ambujakshan's wife Five Star Hospital Nurse Snehalatha Mayaponman Meenakshi 1998 Alibabayum Arara Kallanmarum Thanki Graama Panchaayathu Pankajakshi Harthal Dimple Mariya Sooryaputhran Neeli Malabaril Ninnoru Manimaaran Chandhrika Kudumba Vaarthakal Meera Manthri Kochamma Jayan's sister Inspector Eeswara Iyer Green Roomilundu 1999 American Ammayi Thresia Aakasha Ganga Kochuthresia/ Krishnan's wife / Aaveshananda Swamigal Aaveshananda Swamigal Chandamama Kochammini Charlie Chaplin Chandrika Swastham Grihabharanam Sarala Pranaya Nilavu 2000 Kannaadikkadavathu Bhavani Manassil Oru Manjuthulli Rajamma Sayahnam Mary Thomas Manjukaalappakshi Nishasurabhikal 2001 Ishtam SI Mariyamma Thomas Ennum Sambhavami Yuge Yuge Tapinokia / Kalyani Kathakan 2002 Chirikudukka Seemanthini Kakke Kakke Koodevide Rahel Kannaki Kanakammal Www.anukudumbam.com Thief Kashillatheyum Jeevikkam Annamma Krishna Gopalakrishna Sujatha Oomappenninu Uriyadappayyan Kanyaka Aaradyam Parayum 2003 Varum Varunnu Vannu House maid Mizhi Randilum Saradha The Fire Fathima Beevi Mr. Brahmachari Anasooya Melvilasam Sariyanu Sarasamma P. Varghese Vellithira Pushpam 2004 Mambazhakkalam Neelima Vismayathumbathu Maya Vellinakshatram School principal Thalamelam Kanakavalli Sethurama Iyer CBI Vijayamma Priyam Priyamkaram Alamelu Nerkku Nere Devu 2005 Krithyam Victoria Athbhutha Dweepu Mallika Bunglavil Outha Chemparathy Udayon Kunjujamma Kalabham Pachakili Bus Conductor Ambili Five Fingers Marykutti 2006 Balram vs. Tharadas Circle Inspector Dakshayani 2007 The Unakka Chemmeen Karuthamma Anchil Oral Arjunan Shantha Bharathan Effect Chinnakutty 2008 Apoorva Teacher Kovalam Mariya De Ingottu Nokkiye Ammu Bullet Reality Show Judge Twenty:20 Swarnamma Pakal Nakshatrangal Raji 2009 Bharya Onnu Makkal Moonnu Dance teacher Loud Speaker Rugmini Sanmanasullavan Appukuttan Vasundhara Kerala Cafe Manikantan's wife Seetha Kalyanam Ramani Thirunakkara Perumal Pushpavalli Saswatham Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathirakolapathakathinte Katha 2010 Senior Mandrake Vandana Nizhal Canteen owner (Maami) Nirakazhcha Aksharavalli Yugapurushan Drunkard Paramu's wife Darpapnam Kousalya Njaan Sanchaari Dr. Arundhathi Jayan, the Man behind the Legend (Documentary) Herself Oru Small Family Aakaashayathra Pathamadhyam 2011 Uppukandam Brothers: Back in Action Elamma Archive footage Shankaranum Mohananum Janaki Salt N' Pepper Mary Kanakompathu Hotel Manager Ninnishtam Ennishtam 2 Muthulakshmi Pachuvum Kovalanum Annamma Snehadharam Paarvanam Sneham + Ishtam = Amma Darsanasya Maunam Living Together Sivapuram Bombay Mittayi Kudumbasree Travels Khadeeja Makeup Man Soorya's fiancée's aunt Indian Rupee Mary 2012 Thanichalla Njan Razia Beevi Spirit Pankajam Vaadhyar Shobha Ezham Suryan Nalini Grihanathan Theruvu Nakshatrangal Advocate Mullassery Madhavan Kutty Nemom P. O. Maria 2013 ABCD: American-Born Confused Desi (2013 film) Mariyamma Teens Nun/College authority Radio 2014 Karnavar Santha The Dolphins Vava Nayana Nurse Malayalakkara Residency Malu Bangalore Days Kuttan's mother (Amma) 2015 Aana Mayil Ottakam Ishtamanu Pakshe Achananu Preshnam 2015 Charlie Queen Mary / Mariya 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 + List of Kalpana Kannada film credits Year Movie Role1990Chapala Chennigaraya Rukku
Telugu + List of Kalpana Telugu film credits Year Movie Role2016 Oopiri Lakshmi2019 MajiliPoorna's Mother (″Photo appearance″)
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