“I’D WEAR HIGH FASHION STUFF ONE DAY, AND THE NEXT, I’D BE DRESSED LIKE A TYPICAL TAMILIAN!”

Kalpana (right) celebrating her birthday at home with her kid sister, Kavita

What was your career like?

I was a full-time model. I was flooded with ads, ad films and fashion shows. I had just signed my first film,

Rajshri Productions’ Manokamna, in which I played the heroine opposite

Raj Kiran.

What was your bank balance?

I had an account with The Syndicate Bank. I didn’t have a hefty balance but I wasn’t broke.

Your romantic status?

I was not involved with anyone. I was undecided between a few good prospects.

Did you have an aptitude for dancing?

I had just begun dancing in movies.

What was your fitness quotient?

I was thin for a very long time. I had no weight issues until I was 40.

With Bappi Lahiri at the recording of Auva Auva Koi Yahan Nache in Disco Dancer

THEN AND NOW Kalpana Iyer at 22 (top) and at 65 (above)

On cover of Femina magazine with (from left) Nandini Sen, Veena Prakash & Protima Bedi

What was your focus in life then?

Always my family. Any work that came with decent money was good enough. I wanted to make life comfortable for my family and be a good daughter.

What was your frame of mind?

I did not conform then and do not conform now. I live my life the way I want to.

Who was/is your best friend?

My sister Kavita is my daughter, friend, confidant, everything. We both stay together with her son, who I think of as our son. I am complete because of her.

What was your fashion sense like?

I would wear a lot of high fashion stuff one day, and the next, I would be dressed like a typical Tamilian — sari, gajra, the works. Though I admired Sunita Pitamber, Parmeshwar Godrej and Shobhaa De, I was influenced by nobody.

Imaad, Mithila and Rohit

“SThe Asiatic Library steps were selected for a shoot for a write up in a film magazine.

Your most prized possession?

My watches — my first Cartier.

Onethingaboutyouryoungerselfyou wish you could change?

I should have followed my instincts and listened to my heart.

A swear word that you used a lot?

F*** it!

Continuedfrompage3

—DINESH RAHEJA

And the winners are…

“Ignore, delete or laugc h t

onati nuneedgfraomtivpaigtey6.” ilence is the best way to deal with trolls. The fan may get more aggressive if you reply. The only time you can’t ignore it is when it involves a family member,” says veteran actor Rajit Kapur. 20 years ago, he was unnerved by a female fan who appeared on every set. He stopped all communication with her.

“Rohit Saraf’s found his way of dealing with trolling — humour. Imaad Shah’s point of not posting intimate details on social media is true. Especially given the selfie world we live in where people just grab and click as if it’s their right,” Rajit says. “Fans don’t stop at sexual innuendos. Sending nudes is common.”

“We never had the reach young celebrities have today, so I agree with Mithila Palkar that one has to be socially responsible. Delete all the negative content. It’s an option for a reason,” he concludes.