In March 1984, Indian celebrities including disco and cabaret dancer Kalpana Iyer, screen villain Ranjeet, and musician Bappi Lahiri arrived in the country for a highly anticipated performance.
A report from this newspaper dated March 12, 1984, highlighted that over 350 fans eagerly awaited the entertainers at Nausori Airport, greeting them with cheers and flower garlands. The arrival was delayed by more than four hours due to the group’s overnight stay in Nadi.
Kalpana Iyer expressed the significance of their visit to Fiji, emphasizing her desire for the group to leave a positive impression and a sense of satisfaction after entertaining the audience. “Everyone in the group is important, and their help is needed to make the show successful,” she stated.
She added, “Fiji reminds me of home, as the food is similar and the language is spoken well, albeit with a different accent. It makes me feel not so far away from home.”
Iyer conveyed her pride in being Indian while performing in Fiji and committed to giving her best on stage, mentioning her interest in exploring more of Fiji if time permits.