Kalpana Iyer on long break: Bollywood has changed; didn't get work all these years

After her 1981 song Ramba Ho trended following Dhurandhar, veteran actor Kalpana Iyer's dance video has now gone viral. In an exclusive interaction with India Today, she discusses her life in Dubai, her exit from the industry, and her readiness to return to acting.

Actor Kalpana Iyer cannot thank God and social media enough! Over the weekend, the 69-year-old went viral as she danced to her 1981 song Ramba Ho at a family function – and the internet loved every second of it. Given that the song was already topping charts after Dhurandhar, the impact only became stronger.In an exclusive chat with India Today, Kalpana spoke about how the viral video has brought her back into the limelight – and how she’s feeling all the love pouring in. She also credited India Today’s earlier exclusive interview for letting the industry know that she wants to return to acting.Opening up about her journey away from the film industry, Kalpana shared why she chose to step away when she did, and how life in Dubai slowly became home. She mentioned how, after Hum Saath Saath Hain, she wasn't happy with the situation around. She mentioned that she was doing a lot of television, but over time, the ecosystem around work started shifting, which didn't sit right with her."But then a lot of things changed. It all became about the same people, the same cliques. I was not part of any clique, neither in the industry or television. And I wasn't really happy with the kind of work I was getting. So what was the point in continuing?” she said.That’s when Dubai happened, not as an escape, but as a new chapter that offered her peace, stability and purpose. The veteran actor said that she had a friend who owned a restaurant there, and she came to work for him. The family approved since they knew her, and everyone was happy to see her lead a worry-free life.

"The work kept me busy, and dekhte dekhte (in the blink of an eye), time also went by. This country has given me so much. My mother, sister and her son also came with me. When you get welcomed the way these people have welcomed us, it's unbelievable," she added.When asked if she ever felt the urge to reach out and tell people she was ready to work again, Kalpana answered with honesty and emphasised, "We all go through different situations. With me, it was like I had an existing job, which was looking after the needs of my family. I was content in my own space. Also, as I mentioned, the film industry went through a lot of changes – there were casting agents, secretaries, and managers. I never had anybody. I always did my work on my own, or it was my mother and sister who managed it."Kalpana mentioned that while she is not judging what's right or wrong, she wasn't there when it changed. However, Kalpana also made it clear: she was never unreachable. "Anybody could have reached out to me; I am not that far. More than half of Mumbai lives here now. I have always believed that if you want to get in touch with somebody, you would do it. When there is a will, there is a way. But I suppose my time hadn't come. I hope, pray, and sincerely believe that now it is. So let's see who reaches out," she said.When asked if anyone from the industry had contacted her after she spoke about wanting to work again, Kalpana confirmed that the calls have already started coming in, and that’s making her feel hopeful. She highlighted, "I have received a few calls for reality shows. And I have received a couple of calls asking me what kind of work I'm okay with. I am not in a position to take names because I haven't even completed 48 hours. But people are getting in touch with me. And it's a very positive feeling."The conversation also touched upon superstar Salman Khan, her co-star in Hum Saath Saath Hain, known for supporting many in the film industry. We asked if she ever considered calling him for help. "No, I haven't called anybody, not because I think it's wrong. But Dubai is not so big that if you want to help me, you can't find me. There is a lot of difference between wanting to do something and reaching out to somebody. I think if I deserve it, and if I am God's child, then he will look after me," Kalpana said.The actor continued in the same calm, no-bitterness tone that defines the entire conversation. “I am not going to be looking for somebody to tell that person to [cast me]. If you are an aware person, you are aware of my existence. And if you think that I deserve it, you will get across to me. And if you didn't, which means I didn't deserve it. We'll leave it at that. I won't blame anyone, and neither do I believe in negativity of any kind," she concluded.