Kalpana Iyer on long break: Bollywood has changed; Didn’t get work for so many years
After her 1981 song Ramba Ho trended after Dhurandhar, veteran actress Kalpana Iyer’s dance video has now gone viral. In an exclusive conversation with India Today, he discusses his life in Dubai, his exit from the industry and his preparation to return to acting.

Actress Kalpana Iyer can’t thank God and social media enough! Over the weekend, the 69-year-old went viral dancing to her 1981 song be ramba At a family function — and the Internet loved every second of it. Given that the song was already on top of the charts stalwartThe influence only became stronger.
In an exclusive conversation with India Today, Kalpana talks about how the viral video has brought her back into the limelight – and how she is feeling all the love she is getting. She also credited India Today’s first exclusive interview for telling the industry that she wanted to make a comeback to acting.
Opening up about her journey away from the film industry, Kalpana shared why she decided to move away when she did and how life in Dubai gradually became like home. She mentioned how, after that we are togetherShe was not happy with the situation around her. She told that she was doing a lot of television work, but with time, the environment around work started changing, which was not right for her.
“But then a lot of things changed. It became all about the same people, the same clique. I wasn’t part of any clique, neither in the industry or in television. And I wasn’t really happy with the kind of work I was getting. So what was the point in continuing?” He said.
Then Dubai happened, not as an escape, but as a new chapter that provided him peace, stability and purpose. The veteran actor said that she had a friend who owned a restaurant there and she had come to work for him. Since they knew him, the family accepted it and everyone was happy to see him living a worry-free life.
“Work kept me busy, and just in case (In the blink of an eye) Time also passed. This country has given me a lot. My mother, sister and her son also came with me. When you’re welcomed the way these people have welcomed us, it’s incredible.”
When asked if she ever felt the urge to reach out to people and tell them that she was ready to work again, Kalpana answered honestly and insisted, “We all go through different situations. With me, it was like I had an existing job, taking care of my family’s needs. I was content in my place. Also, as I mentioned, the film industry went through a lot of changes – there were casting agents, secretaries, and managers. I never had There was no one. I always did my work on my own, or it was my mother and sister who managed it.”
Kalpana mentioned that although she is not the one deciding what is right or wrong, she was not there when this change happened. However, Kalpana also made it clear: she was never out of reach. She said, “Anyone could have reached out to me; I am not that far away. More than half of Mumbai lives here now. I have always believed that if you want to reach out to someone, you will do it. When there is a will, there is a way. But I feel that my time has not come. I hope, pray and honestly believe that it has happened now. So let’s see who reaches out.”
When asked if anyone from the industry had contacted her after speaking about her desire to work again, Kalpana confirmed that the calls have started coming in and that makes her feel hopeful. He highlighted, “I have received a few calls for reality shows. And I have received a few calls asking me what kind of work I am ready to do. I am not in a position to take names because I have not even completed 48 hours. But people are contacting me. And it is a very positive feeling.”
His co-star superstar Salman Khan was also mentioned in the conversation. we are togetherKnown for supporting many people in the film industry. We asked if he ever considered calling her for help. Kalpana said, “No, I haven’t called anyone, not because I think it’s wrong. But Dubai is not so big that you can’t find me if you want to help me. There is a lot of difference between wanting to do something and reaching out to someone. I feel that if I deserve it, and if I am a child of God, he will take care of me.”
The actor continued in the same calm, non-bitter tone that defines the entire conversation. She concluded, “I’m not looking for someone to tell that person to cast me. If you’re an aware person, you know about my existence. And if you think I deserve it, you will contact me. And if you didn’t, then it means I didn’t deserve it. We’ll leave it at that. I won’t blame anyone nor do I believe in any kind of negativity.”


