But today the 62-year-old lady is in desperate need of financial aid for a serious kidney ailment.
Kalpana, who used up all her savings to look after her mentor and companion Bhupen Hazarika in his dying days, is isolated and all but forgotten.
The biopic on slain actress Priya Rajvansh which Kalpana was supposed to direct, has quietly passed on to another director.
In this hour of need, close friends like Neena Gupta, Ila Arun and Soni Razdan are there by Kalpana’s side.
In fact, Soni is reportedly trying to organise a regular fund for Kalpana’s treatment, along with like minded friends like producer Mukesh Bhatt, Guild CEO Kulmeet Makkar and actress Vinita Malik.
"She is dealing with a kidney illness," Soni says. "She had to undergo regular dialysis, and that’s quite daunting. But she is being very strong about it. Kalpana is determined to get well."
Let's wish Kalpana a quick recovery and hope that her colleagues from the film fraternity come forward with financial assistance.
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