Helen
Born: 1939-10-22 in Rangoon, Burma. [now Yangôn, Myanmar]
Known For: Acting
Biography
Helen Ann Richardson Khan (born October 22, 1939), known by her mononym Helen, is an Indian former actress and dancer of Anglo-Indian and Burmese descent. In a career spanning 70 years, she has established herself as a prolific performer in Hindi cinema and appeared in over 1000 films. During her heydays, she was cited as one of the most popular nautch and cabaret dancers, and has been a recipient of two Filmfare Awards and a Padma Shri, awarded by the Indian Government. She has also been the inspiration for four films and a book. She even performed onstage in London, Paris, and Hong Kong. Officially announcing retirement in 1983, she has since been appearing in films as guest roles or cameos.
Filmography
2024
- Angry Young Men as Self
2023
2016
- The Kapil Sharma Show as Herself
2015
- Comedy Nights Bachao as Self
2012
- Heroine as Shagufta Rizvi
- Jodi Breakers
2007
2006
- Humko Deewana Kar Gaye as Kitty Kohli
2005
- Anjaane: The Unkown as Aunty
2004
- Dil Ne Jise Apna Kahaa as Dhani's Grandmother
2002
- Shararat as Anuradha Mathur
2000
- Mohabbatein as Miss Monica
1999
- Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam as Sameer's mom
- Desperately Seeking Helen as Self (archive footage)
1996
- Khamoshi: The Musical as maria
1991
1985
1984
1980
- Abdullah as Item Dancer
- Humkadam as Suzie John
- Dostana as Sylvia
- Ram Balram as Tara Bai
- Billa as Reena
- Garam Khoon as Dancer
- Bombay 405 Miles as Rita (Master's wife)
1979
- Lahu Ke Do Rang as Suzy
- Prem Bandhan
- Allauddinum Albhutha Vilakkum as Cabaret dancer
- The Great Gambler as Monica (Dancer)
- Duniya Meri Jeb Mein as Bar Singer & Dancer
- Raakhi Ki Saugandh
- Do Shikaari as Bar Dancer
- Jhoota Kahin Ka as Cabaret dancer
1978
- Phandebaaz as Club Dancer
- Don as Kamini
- Phool Khile Hain Gulshan Gulshan
- Apna Khoon as Dancer
- Besharam as Item Dancer
1977
- Kacha Chor
- Aakhri Sajda
- Amar Akbar Anthony as Fake Daughter At Airport (Guest Appearance)
- Khoon Pasina as Dancer
- Immaan Dharam as Jenny Francis
- Inkaar as Dancer at bar in song
- Agent Vinod as Lovelina
- For Your Sake as Shola
- Chala Murari Hero Banne as Self
1976
- Kalicharan as Dancer
- Aap Beati as Rita
- Sharafat Chod Di Maine
- Bairaag as Lucy
- Ek Se Badhkar Ek
- Ginny And Johnny
- Deewaangee as Kitty
- Alibaba
1975
1974
- Madhosh as Mona / Mrs Goldie
- Jab Andhera Hota Hai as Alka
- Benaam
- Ujala Hi Ujala as Dancer / Singer
- Geetaa Mera Naam as Savitri
- Chhote Sarkar as Kasturi
1973
- Sultana Daku
- Chhalia as Mona
- Bada Kabutar as Dancer
- Shareef Budmaash as Carmen / Rita
- Anamika as Rubai
- Heera as Dancer
- Aaj Ki Taaza Khabar
- Helen, Queen of the Nautch Girls as Herself
- Khoon Khoon
1972
- Sange Muzhangu
- Sazaa as Kitty
- Apradh as Cabaret Dancer / Singer
- Mere Jeevan Saathi as Kamini
- Raja Jani
- Victoria No. 203 as Girl On Beach
- Do Gaz Zameen Ke Neeche as Bar Dancer (uncredited)
- Rakhi Aur Hathkadi as Mrs. Reen
- Bindiya aur bandook
- Dil Daulat Duniya
- Gomti Ke Kinare as Herself
- Yaar Mere as Rosie
- Pistolwali
- Bhale Huchcha as Item Dancer
1971
- Hulchul as Kitty D'Costa
- Preetam as Sarita
- Scattered Pearls as Club dancer
- Nadaan as Rita Saxena
- Elaan
- Jaane Anjaane as Suzy
- Caravan as Monica
- Adhikar as Cabaret Dancer
- Hum Tum Aur Woh
- Maryada
- Aag Aur Daag
- Man Mandir
- Kathputli as Roma
1970
- Bombay Talkie as Heroine in Gold
- The Train as Lily
- Princess as (Special Appearce- Dancer in the Item Number)
- Ishq Par Zor Nahin
- Tum Haseen Main Jawan as Jina (Ranjeet's wife)
- Kab? Kyoon? Aur Kahan? as Rita
- Pagla Kahin Ka
- Maharaja
- Inspector
- Sau Saal Beet Gaye
1969
- Bhai Bahen
- Prince as Sophia
- Toofan
- Sachaai
- Talash
- Intaquam as Rebecca
- Ek Shriman Ek Shrimati as Sherry
- Jahan Pyar Miley
- Pyar Hi Pyar as Cham Cham
- Yakeen as Night Club performer (song "Bachke")
- Anjan Hai Koyee
- Pyar Ka Sapna as Jenny
- Lady Killer
- Pyasi Shaam as Life-size cardboard cut-out
- Shatranj
1968
- Kismat as Nancy
- Anjaam as Nikita
- Baazi
- Shikar as Veera
- Aansoo Ban Gaye Phool as Neelam
- Kahin Din Kahin Raat as Helen
- Golden Eyes
- Aulad as Courtesan
1967
- Jewel Thief as Helen
- Noorjehan as Dilruba
- C.I.D. 909 as Sophia
- Dulhan Ek Raat Ki
- Bahu Begum as Courtesan
- Jaal
- Night in London as Sue / Jameela
- Hare Kanch Ki Chooriyan
- Raat Andheri Thi
- Dil Ne Pukara as Jyoti
- Chand Par Chadayee as Dancer / Singer
1966
- Insaaf
- Tasveer as Alka
- Afsana
- Teesri Manzil as Ruby
- Biradari
- Yeh Raat Phir Na Aaygi as Dancer / Singer (uncredited)
- Badal
- Thakur Jarnail Singh
- Smuggler as Dancer
- Dus Lakh
1965
- Faraar
- Kaajal as Courtesan
- Nishan
- Gumnaam as Miss Kitty
- Tarzan Comes to Delhi
- Mohabbat Isko Kahete Hain as Shabnam
- Sindbad Alibaba and Aladdin
- Flying Man
1964
- Aaya Toofan as Princess Chandavarti
- Shabnam as Sabha
- Cha Cha Cha as Lali
- Woh Kaun Thi as Seema
- Zindagi
1963
- Shikari as Shoba
- Kabli Khan as Haseena
- Bidesiya
- Ustadon Ke Ustad as Rita
- Parasmani
- Taj Mahal as Tawaif/ Court Dancer
- Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya as Rita
- Laagi Nahi Chhute Ram
- Sunehri Nagin as Princess
1962
- Dr. Vidya
- China Town as Suzie
- Half Ticket as Stage Dancer
- Main Chup Rahungi as Menka
- Hawa Mahal as Champakali
1961
- Do Bhai as Courtesan
- Sapne Suhane as Nimmo dancer
- Mr. India as Rita
- Miss Chalbaaz as Roopa
- Maya as Banke's darling
- Junglee as Miss Suku
- Gunga Jumna as Courtesan
1960
1959
- Love Marriage as Dancer (in a special appearance)
- Gali Theke Rajpath as Dancer
- Duniya Na Mane
- Insaan Jaag Utha as Dancer (uncredited)
- Kangan as wedding entertainer
1958
- Yahudi
- Night Club as Special Appearance
- Kabhi Andhera Kabhi Ujala
- Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi as Dancer / Singer
- Howrah Bridge as Dancer / Singer
- Karigar as Bar Dancer
1956
1955
- Pehli Jhalak as Dancer
- Abe Hayat as Dancer
- Miss Coca Cola
- Santosham as Dancer
1954
- Alibaba and 40 Thieves as Dancer / Singer
- Mayurpankh
1952
- Amber as Dancer