Rani Chandra


Rani Chandra was an Indian actress and model, a winner of Miss Kerala. She died when Indian Airlines Flight 171 crashed in Bombay in 1976. She acted in several landmark films such as Nellu, Bhadrakali and Swapnadanam.

Background

She was born to Chandran and Kanthimathi in 1949 at Fort Kochi, Travancore-Cochin. She had four sisters and a brother. She pursued degree from St Thereses College Ernakulam. She owned a dance troupe. Actress Chippy is the daughter of Rani Chandra's brother Shaji. Rani Chandra was selected as Miss Kerala in 1972.

Career

Her first film, Anjusundarikal, was widely accepted by the audience. Other major films included Ulsavam, Kadarumasam, Nellu, Swapnadanam, Oonjal, Alinganam, Abhinandanam, Sindoooram, Thirumadhuram, and Anuragam. She won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress for the film Swapnadanam. Rani Chandra played the major role in the very popular Tamil cinema song in the film Bhadrakali.

Death

Rani Chandra, her mother, and three sisters were killed in Indian Airlines Flight 171 crash in 1976. They were on a return flight from Bombay when their plane caught fire and nose dived near the airport, killing everyone on board. They were returning from a dance performance in the Middle East. Their earlier flight from Bombay to Madras returned to Bombay shortly after takeoff after a snag hit. The aircraft and all passengers were re-boarded onto the flight. The dead included members of her music troupe as well.
After her death, the unfinished portion of the movie Bhadrakali was finished using a double. The movie ends using earlier footage of Rani Chandra.

Awards

Malayalam

  1. Oonjal
  2. Sindooram
  3. Amba Ambika Ambaalika as Ambika
  4. Ayalkkaari as Sathi
  5. Swapnaadanam as Sumithra
  6. Chirikkudukka as Malathi
  7. Anaavaranam
  8. Mallanum Mathevanum
  9. Muthu
  10. Madhuram Thirumadhuram as Radha
  11. Lakshmivijayam
  12. Swimming Pool
  13. Abhinandanam as Radha
  14. Udyaanalakshmi
  15. Aalinganam as Dr. Raji
  16. Malsaram
  17. Criminals
  18. Swarnna Malsyam
  19. Hello Darling as Sumithra
  20. Mucheettukalikkaarante Makal as Zainaba
  21. Ayodhya
  22. Chalanam as Joyamma
  23. Odakkuzhal
  24. Ulsavam as Leela
  25. Love Marriage as Viji
  26. Ullaasayaathra
  27. Boy Friend
  28. Swaami Ayyappan
  29. Swarnnavigraham
  30. Bhoogolam Thiriyunnu as Vijayamma
  31. Naathoon
  32. Poonthenaruvi as Vimala
  33. Devi Kanyaakumaari
  34. Shaapamoksham
  35. Sapthaswarangal as Mini
  36. Youvanam as Sharada
  37. Kaamini
  38. Nellu as Javani
  39. Soundarya Pooja
  40. Swapnam as Vasumathi
  41. Udayam as Hema
  42. Kaattuvithachavan
  43. Police Ariyaruthu as Alice
  44. Kaalachakram as Geetha.
  45. Ragging
  46. Pacha Nottukal as Rosie
  47. Aaraadhika as Latha
  48. Jesus as Kanaikkari
  49. Kaapaalika as Lillykutti
  50. Ajnaathavasam as Kamala
  51. Driksaakshi as Rajamma
  52. Omana as Pennamma
  53. Brahmachaari
  54. Puthrakameshti
  55. Sree Guruvayoorappan
  56. Devi
  57. Chembarathi as Savithri
  58. Prathidhwani
  59. Vivaaham Swargathil
  60. Vivahasammanam as Sundari
  61. Anaachaadhanam
  62. Anchusundarikal
  63. Pavappettaval

    Tamil

  64. Bhadrakali
  65. Swami Ayyappan
  66. Then Sindhudhe Vaanam
  67. Radha
  68. Porchilai