Bollywood stars: Kalpana (Kannada)

Kalpana (Kannada)

Kalpana (Kannada: ಕಲ್ಪನಾ; 8 July 1943 - 3 May 1979), born Sharat Lata was a Kannada film actress. She was affectionately referred to as Minugu Taare ("A Shining Star") among the film fraternity. She is widely recognized as one of the greatest actresses of Kannada cinema who enjoyed both fan following and critical acclaimations showering upon her film after films. She made her screen debut as a lead actress in the 1963 released Saaku Magalu directed by veteran B.R. Pantulu. During a career that spanned from the early 1960's to the late 1970's, Kalpana appeared in numerous commercially successful as well as critically appreciated films, many of which featured her alongside actor Rajkumar. She worked in few Tamil, Tulu and Telugu films as well. Majority of her successful films were incidentally female centric that gave ample scope for her performances.

One of her best-known roles was that of 'Kaveri' in the Multi-awarded film Sharapanjara released in 1971, a performance that won her Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actress for that year. Her portrayal of the highly spirited and complex role who fights her mental trauma won her the largest fan following ever for a Kannada actress. Her association with the veteran film maker Puttanna Kanagal both professionally and personally became the talk of the town back in 1970's. They both went on to work successfully in many commercially and critically successful films until they fell apart with each other.

Kalpana committed suicide and met with her death on 3rd May 1979 after her alleged failed romance . She was at her peak in her career during the time she died.