A decade after Malayalam cinema lost one of its brightest stars, memories of Kalpana continue to bring smiles and tears to fans and colleagues alike. On her 10th death anniversary today, filmmaker Vinayan shared a deeply moving Facebook note remembering the actress not just for her comic brilliance, but for the courage and convictions that defined her off-screen.

Kalpana, who delivered unforgettable performances in Vinayan’s films such as Albhutha Dweep, Aakasha Ganga and Vellinakshatram, was known for lighting up the screen with effortless humour. But Vinayan said there was much more to her than the laughter she brought into people’s lives.

“Behind that smiling face was a woman of strong principles,” he wrote, recalling moments that revealed her rare integrity. One such instance, he said, came during the making of Albhutha Dweep, at a time when actor Prithviraj Sukumaran was facing a ban by the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA). Several artistes hesitated to sign the film, unwilling to associate with the project.

Kalpana, however, didn’t think twice.

Vinayan fondly recalled her joking with Jagathy Sreekumar about it. “Didn’t Vinayettan say Pakru is the hero? That’s all we know,” she laughed before signing the contract. Jagathy followed suit. More than a professional decision, Vinayan said, "it reflected Kalpana’s firm belief that the organisation’s decision against Prithviraj was unjust."

“That was Kalpana,” he wrote — someone who stood by her values even while wearing a smile.

Kalpana passed away in 2016 at the age of 54, leaving behind a body of work spanning comedy, character roles and emotionally powerful performances. A National Film Award winner, she remains one of Malayalam cinema’s most cherished artistes.

Ten years on, as the industry remembers her today, Kalpana is celebrated not just as an exceptional performer, but as a woman who brought laughter, compassion and courage into every space she occupied, on screen and beyond.