Rani Chandra

Rani Chandra (1949 – 1976), born in Kochi, Kerala, was a Malayalam film actress and winner of the Miss Kerala Title. She died in a plane crash in 1976. She acted in several landmark films such as Nellu (Malayalam, 1974), Bhadrakali (Tamil, 1976) and Swapnadanam (Malayalam, 1976).
Background
She was born to Chandran and Kanthimathi in 1949 at Fort Kochi, Travancore-Cochin (now Kerala). She had four sisters and a brother. She pursued degree from St Thereses College Ernakulam. She owned a dance troupe. Actress Chippy is Ranichandra's Brother Shaji's Daughter. 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
Kerala State Film Awards:
1975 - Best Actress - Swapnadanam
Filmography
Malayalam
Oonjal (1977)
Sindooram (1976)
Amba Ambika Ambaalika(1976) as Ambika
Ayalkkaari (1976) as Sathi
Swapnaadanam (1976) as Sumithra
Chirikkudukka (1976) as Malathi
Anaavaranam (1976)
Mallanum Mathevanum (1976)
Muthu (1976)
Madhuram Thirumadhuram (1976) as Radha
Lakshmivijayam (1976)
Swimming Pool (1976)
Abhinandanam (1976) as Radha
Udyaanalakshmi (1976)
Aalinganam (1976) as Dr. Raji
Malsaram (1975)
Criminals (Kayangal) (1975)
Swarnna Malsyam (1975)
Hello Darling (1975) as Sumithra
Mucheettukalikkaarante Makal (1975) as Zainaba
Ayodhya (1975)
Chalanam (1975) as Joyamma
Odakkuzhal (1975)
Ulsavam (1975) as Leela
Love Marriage (1975) as Viji
Ullaasayaathra (1975)
Boy Friend (1975)
Swaami Ayyappan (1975)
Swarnnavigraham (1974)
Bhoogolam Thiriyunnu (1974) as Vijayamma
Naathoon (1974)
Poonthenaruvi (1974) as Vimala
Devi Kanyaakumaari (1974)
Shaapamoksham (1974)
Sapthaswarangal (1974) as Mini
Youvanam (1974) as Sharada
Kaamini (1974)
Nellu (1974) as Javani
Soundarya Pooja (1973)
Swapnam (1973) as Vasumathi
Udayam (1973) as Hema
Kaattuvithachavan (1973)
Police Ariyaruthu (1973) as Alice
Kaalachakram (1973) as Geetha.
Ragging (1973)
Pacha Nottukal(1973) as Rosie
Aaraadhika (1973) as Latha
Jesus (1973) as Kanaikkari
Kaapaalika(1973) as Lillykutti
Ajnaathavasam(1973) as Kamala
Driksaakshi (1973) as Rajamma
Omana (1972) as Pennamma
Brahmachaari (1972)
Puthrakameshti (1972)
Sree Guruvayoorappan (1972)
Devi (1972)
Chembarathi (1972) as Savithri
Prathidhwani (1971)
Vivaaham Swargathil (1970)
Vivahasammanam (1970) as Sundari
Anaachaadhanam (1969)
Anchusundarikal (1968)
Pavappettaval (1967) (credited as Miss Kerala)
Tamil
Bhadrakali (1976)
Swami Ayyappan (1975)
Then Sindhudhe Vaanam (1975)
Radha (1973)
Porchilai (1969)
References
External links
http://en.msidb.org/displayProfile.php?category=actors&artist=Ranichandra&limit=67
Weblokam : Rani Chandra- A paining memory
Actresses from Kochi
Kerala State Film Award winners
1976 deaths
Victims of aviation accidents or incidents in India
Actresses in Tamil cinema
Actresses in Malayalam cinema
Indian film actresses
20th-century Indian actresses
1949 births
St. Teresa's College alumni