Helen is a legendary actress of Bollywood, best known for playing cabaret dancer and mesmerizing two generations with her graceful dance moves in movies. She was also famously known as the dancing queen because of her rising dance number popularity in the 60s and 70s. She is about to turn 83 this year, so let’s look at her journey to success in Indian cinema.
History
Helen Ann Richardson was born on 21st November to a Burmese mother, Marlene, and an Anglo-Indian father, George Desmier, in Rangoon, Burma. She also has a sister, Jennifer, and a brother named Roger. Her father died during World War II. In 1943, her family migrated to Assam. Her mother worked as a nurse, but her income could not feed a family of four; hence Helen quit her schooling to support her family.
Career
Helen stepped into the world of Bollywood as a chorus dancer for the 1951 film Shabistan. She also started performing as a solo dancer in numerous films like Alif Laila and Hoor e Arab. Her breakthrough performance was in the song Mera Naam Chin Chin Chu from the 1958 film Howrah Bridge which raised her to fame, and she started appearing as a dancer or playing negative roles in several films. Initially, her songs were sung by Geeta Dutt and later by Asha Bhosle. In 1965, she was nominated for her role as Miss Kitty in the thriller film Gumnaam, starring Manoj Kumar and Nanda. With dance numbers, Helen went on to do more dramatic roles and won everyone’s hearts. She acted in several movies like Sachaai, China Town and had remarkable roles in Cha Cha Cha and Imaan Dharam. Film writer Salim Khan helped Helen to get good roles in films like Don, Sholay, and other movies he was co-scripting with Javed Akhtar. In 1979, she won her first award for her outstanding supporting role as Suzy in Mahesh Bhatt’s Lahu Ke Do Rang. Helen retired from cinema in 1999. But, she appeared as a guest star in Khamoshi: The Musical, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Mohabbatein, and several other films where she left a remarkable imprint on every movie-goer’s heart.
Awards and Achievements
Helen’s contribution to Indian cinema has won her numerous accolades, which are listed below. Apart from these, she is loved by many for her work throughout.
her career
She bagged the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress for her work in Lahu Ke Do Rang.
- In 1999, she received the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award.
- She received Padma Shri in 2009.
Personal Life
Helen was first married to film director Prem Narayan Arora in 1957. She then married the acclaimed film writer Salim Khan in 1979. She is the stepmother of the well-known actors Salman, Arbaaz, and Sohail Khan. Helen has not only won several awards but also numerous hearts with her exceptional work in the film industry. Giftalove.com wishes her a very happy birthday, and may her future always be bright and filled with happiness.
