Kalpana passes away

Hyderabad

She was 50 and is survived by daughter Sreemayi. The actress, who was shooting for a bilingual film (Tamil and Telugu) , was residing at a hostel in the city.

Kalpana  was shifted to Apollo Hospital, after she was found in an unconscious state in the hotel, but the doctors declared her brought dead. She is believed to have suffered a cardiac arrest.

Kalpana had penchant for enacting comedy roles in South Indian film industries, and, especially in Malayalam cinema.

At the 60th National Film Awards, she won the best supporting actress award for her performance in Thanichalla Njan (2012).

Kalpana entered the tinsel world, aspiring to become a  heroine. However, she ended up performing comedy roles. Kalpana has also participated in reality shows and she enjoyed it to the core. She recently performed a music album with singer Usha Uthup and has also  published her memoirs, Njan Kalpana.

Born as Kalpana Ranjini to theatre artists Chavara VP Nair and Vijayalakshmi, her name became synonymous, as she carved out a niche for herself with her sense of humour and comedy timing, and thereby, make her the beloved actress for the Keralities across the globe.

Kalpana's sisters' Urvashi and Kalaranjini are also established actors and her two deceased brothers, Kamal Roy and Prince had also acted in some Malayalam films.

After making her debut in the 1980 film Pokkuveyil, directed by G.Aravindan, Kalpana went on to act in several critically acclaimed films and her portrayals as a comedienne were appreciated by critics.

Kalpana made her debut in Tamil films at 1985 through 'Chinna Veedu; opposite K. Bhagyaraj. Her other memorable films include Sathi Leelavathi (1995) and Kaliveedu(1996). She went on to act in over 300 films in Malayalam and Tamil.

She is married to Malayalam film director Anil Kumar and is divorced in 2012. Their only daughter Sreemayi is staying with Kalpana. Kalpana hosted several talk shows and interviews on Malayalam TV Channels. She frequently appears as Judge in Asianet's Comedy Reality show 'Vodafone Comedy Stars'.

According to reports, her sister Urvashi is on her way to Hyderabad and the body will be brought back to Kerala.