Kalpana Iyer (born 26 July 1956) is an Indian former actress, singer, and model, who is best known for her works in Hindi cinema 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 in 1978,. She went on to represent her country at the Miss World 1978 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 and Aruna Irani. Some of her famous dance numbers are "Hari om Hari" in Pyaara Dushman (1980), "Tu Mujhe Jaan" in Wardat (1981) and "Rambha Ho" in Armaan (1981). Some of her renowned films are Satte Pe Satta (1982), Disco Dancer (1982), Anjaam (1994), Raja Hindustani (1996), and Hum Saath Saath Hain (1999). She was critically acclaimed for her performance as a prison warden in Anjaam which also featured Bollywood superstars Madhuri Dixit and Shah Rukh Khan. 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 was the manager of a restaurant in Dubai called "The Moghul Room" which was owned by former Bollywood actor Rajan Sippy.

Personal life

She was born in a Tamil Brahmin 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: "'I was always misunderstood, you know, as the ‘it-girl’ personifying glamour and oomph. A Miss India, a model, an actress. Everyone assumed I was bold but I was actually very simple… God-fearing, always concerned about ruffling the feathers of my conservative Tam Bram family who were quiet and simple, and into Carnatic music… telling too many white lies to protect too many people.'"

Filmography

Film

Throughout her career, Iyer has appeared in over 100 films.

Television