New Delhi: Veteran actor-dancer Kalpana Iyer, best remembered for the iconic disco-era song Ramba Ho Ho, has returned to the spotlight after her impromptu dance performance at a recent wedding went viral, prompting her to speak about her career choices, move to Dubai, and renewed interest in acting again.
The clip, which shows the 70-year-old performer dancing energetically to her evergreen hit track, quickly spread across social media platforms, drawing admiration from fans across generations. In a recent media interaction, Kalpana Iyer reflected on the unexpected viral moment and explained why she gradually stepped away from mainstream work in films and television despite her popularity in the 1980s and 1990s.
Viral dance moment rekindles nostalgia
Kalpana Iyer revealed that the now-viral dance was completely unplanned and happened during a close family friend’s wedding. According to her, she had attended the function simply to celebrate and had no intention of performing.
She shared that when Ramba Ho Ho began playing at the event, guests requested her to dance, and she obliged spontaneously. Wearing a saree and attending as a family guest, she said the performance came purely from instinct and affection for the occasion.
The song, originally sung by Usha Uthup for the 1981 film Armaan, remains one of the most recognisable dance tracks of the Bollywood disco era. The renewed buzz around the track has also been aided by its recent revamp and use in actor Ranveer Singh’s spy thriller Dhurandhar, introducing the number to a younger audience.
Kalpana said she was surprised by the scale and speed with which the clip spread online and expressed gratitude for the affection she continues to receive decades after the song’s release.
Why she moved away from the industry
Speaking about her decision to step away from regular film and television work, Kalpana Iyer said the changing professional ecosystem in the entertainment industry made her uncomfortable.
She noted that over time, the system became increasingly dependent on casting agents, managers and organised networks. Unlike many others, she did not maintain a formal management structure and handled her work largely with the help of her mother and sister.
According to her, the rise of tightly knit professional circles and repeated collaborations within the same groups made it difficult for independent performers without representation to find satisfying roles. She said she was neither part of any industry clique nor aligned with television groups, and the kind of work being offered to her no longer felt meaningful.
Rather than continue with assignments she did not believe in, she chose to step back.
A new chapter in Dubai
Kalpana Iyer said she later moved to Dubai, where a friend owned a restaurant and invited her to be associated with the venture. What began as a short professional engagement gradually turned into a longer stay, as she found the change of pace comforting and stress-free.
She added that her family was happy to see her living without industry pressures and uncertainties. Over time, Dubai became her base, though she emphasised that she has never been inaccessible to filmmakers or casting teams.
She pointed out that many members of the film industry now travel frequently to or live part-time in Dubai, and anyone genuinely interested in working with her could easily reach out.
Open to work again, without lobbying
The veteran performer also made it clear that she remains open to acting and performance opportunities but will not actively lobby or campaign for roles.
She said she believes that if creators and producers are aware of her work and feel she is suitable for a project, they will contact her. She does not believe in chasing influence networks or asking intermediaries to recommend her name.
Maintaining a philosophical outlook, she added that she does not blame anyone for missed opportunities and prefers to stay away from negativity. Instead, she hopes that if the time is right, meaningful work will come her way again.
Legacy of a disco-era icon
Kalpana Iyer was the first runner-up at Miss India 1978 and went on to build a distinctive screen presence in Hindi cinema, often remembered for her dance numbers and strong supporting roles. She appeared in films such as Satte Pe Satta, Anjaam, Raja Hindustani and Hum Saath Saath Hain. In addition to acting and dancing, she is also a trained singer and has collaborated with composers including Bappi Lahiri.
Her recent viral dance moment has once again highlighted her enduring recall value and the lasting cultural footprint of Bollywood’s disco era. With renewed public interest and her own willingness to return, industry watchers say a comeback appearance may not be far off.