Personal Info
Known For:
Acting
Birthday:
October 22, 1939
Place of Birth:
Rangoon, Burma. [now Yangôn, Myanmar]
Social Media
Helen
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.
Known For
Filmography
| Year | Movie | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Jodi Breakers | |
| 2012 | Heroine | Shagufta Rizvi |
| 2010 | Dunno Y Na Jaane Kyun... | |
| 2007 | Marigold | |
| 2006 | Humko Deewana Kar Gaye | Kitty Kohli |
| 2005 | Anjaane: The Unkown | Aunty |
| 2004 | Dil Ne Jise Apna Kahaa | Dhani's Grandmother |
| 2002 | Shararat | Anuradha Mathur |
| 2000 | Mohabbatein | Miss Monica |
| 1999 | Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam | Sameer's mom |
| 1999 | Desperately Seeking Helen | Self (archive footage) |
| 1996 | Khamoshi: The Musical | maria |
| 1991 | Akayla | |
| 1985 | Bond 303 | |
| 1984 | Pakhandee | |
| 1982 | Chorni | Dancer |
| 1982 | Sawaal | |
| 1982 | Troyee | Bar Dancer |
| 1982 | Ayaash | |
| 1981 | Shakka | Janki |
| 1981 | Bulundi | Item dancer in "Tera Dil O Re Babu" |
| 1981 | Sannata | |
| 1980 | Humkadam | Suzie John |
| 1980 | Ram Balram | Tara Bai |
| 1980 | Dostana | Sylvia |
| 1980 | Abdullah | Item Dancer |
| 1980 | Bombay 405 Miles | Rita (Master's wife) |
| 1980 | Garam Khoon | Dancer |
| 1980 | Billa | Reena |
| 1979 | Lahu Ke Do Rang | Suzy |
| 1979 | Do Shikaari | Bar Dancer |
| 1979 | The Great Gambler | Monica (Dancer) |
| 1979 | Duniya Meri Jeb Mein | Bar Singer & Dancer |
| 1979 | Prem Bandhan | |
| 1979 | Jhoota Kahin Ka | Cabaret dancer |
| 1979 | Raakhi Ki Saugandh | |
| 1979 | Allauddinum Albhutha Vilakkum | Cabaret dancer |
| 1978 | Don | Kamini |
| 1978 | Phool Khile Hain Gulshan Gulshan | |
| 1978 | Apna Khoon | Dancer |
| 1978 | Phandebaaz | Club Dancer |
| 1977 | Chala Murari Hero Banne | Self |
| 1977 | Khoon Pasina | Dancer |
| 1977 | Aakhri Sajda | |
| 1977 | For Your Sake | Shola |
| 1977 | Immaan Dharam | Jenny Francis |
| 1977 | Amar Akbar Anthony | Fake Daughter At Airport (Guest Appearance) |
| 1977 | Agent Vinod | Lovelina |
| 1977 | Kacha Chor | |
| 1977 | Inkaar | Dancer at bar in song |
| 1976 | Sharafat Chod Di Maine | |
| 1976 | Bairaag | Lucy |
| 1976 | Aap Beati | Rita |
| 1976 | Deewaangee | Kitty |
| 1976 | Kalicharan | Dancer |
| 1976 | Ek Se Badhkar Ek | |
| 1976 | Ginny And Johnny | |
| 1976 | Alibaba | |
| 1975 | Sholay | Gypsy Dancer |
| 1975 | Zakhmee | |
| 1975 | Saazish | Lola - Singer / Dancer on ship |
| 1975 | Kaala Sona | Chameli |
| 1975 | Andhera | |
| 1975 | Dharmatma | Dancer |
| 1974 | Ujala Hi Ujala | Dancer / Singer |
| 1974 | Jab Andhera Hota Hai | Alka |
| 1974 | Chhote Sarkar | Kasturi |
| 1974 | Geetaa Mera Naam | Savitri |
| 1974 | Madhosh | Mona / Mrs Goldie |
| 1974 | Benaam | |
| 1973 | Aaj Ki Taaza Khabar | |
| 1973 | Heera | Dancer |
| 1973 | Chhalia | Mona |
| 1973 | Khoon Khoon | |
| 1973 | Bada Kabutar | Dancer |
| 1973 | Shareef Budmaash | Carmen / Rita |
| 1973 | Helen, Queen of the Nautch Girls | Herself |
| 1973 | Anamika | Rubai |
| 1973 | Sultana Daku | |
| 1972 | Victoria No. 203 | Girl On Beach |
| 1972 | Sange Muzhangu | |
| 1972 | Rakhi Aur Hathkadi | Mrs. Reen |
| 1972 | Yaar Mere | Rosie |
| 1972 | Sazaa | Kitty |
| 1972 | Mere Jeevan Saathi | Kamini |
| 1972 | Pistolwali | |
| 1972 | Do Gaz Zameen Ke Neeche | Bar Dancer (uncredited) |
| 1972 | Apradh | Cabaret Dancer / Singer |
| 1972 | Dil Daulat Duniya | |
| 1972 | Gomti Ke Kinare | Herself |
| 1972 | Raja Jani | |
| 1972 | Bhale Huchcha | Item Dancer |
| 1972 | Bindiya aur bandook | |
| 1971 | Nadaan | Rita Saxena |
| 1971 | Kathputli | Roma |
| 1971 | Hulchul | Kitty D'Costa |
| 1971 | Scattered Pearls | Club dancer |
| 1971 | Preetam | Sarita |
| 1971 | Jaane Anjaane | Suzy |
| 1971 | Elaan | |
| 1971 | Caravan | Monica |
| 1971 | Aag Aur Daag | |
| 1971 | Man Mandir | |
| 1971 | Hum Tum Aur Woh | |
| 1971 | Conduct | |
| 1971 | Adhikar | Cabaret Dancer |
| 1970 | Kab? Kyoon? Aur Kahan? | Rita |
| 1970 | Princess | (Special Appearce- Dancer in the Item Number) |
| 1970 | Pagla Kahin Ka | |
| 1970 | Inspector | |
| 1970 | The Train | Lily |
| 1970 | Tum Haseen Main Jawan | Jina (Ranjeet's wife) |
| 1970 | Ishq Par Zor Nahin | |
| 1970 | Bombay Talkie | Heroine in Gold |
| 1970 | Sau Saal Beet Gaye | |
| 1970 | Maharaja | |
| 1969 | Bhai Bahen | |
| 1969 | Pyar Ka Sapna | Jenny |
| 1969 | Pyasi Shaam | Life-size cardboard cut-out |
| 1969 | Yakeen | Night Club performer (song "Bachke") |
| 1969 | Jahan Pyar Miley | |
| 1969 | Intaquam | Rebecca |
| 1969 | Talash | |
| 1969 | Ek Shriman Ek Shrimati | Sherry |
| 1969 | Pyar Hi Pyar | Cham Cham |
| 1969 | Prince | Sophia |
| 1969 | Shatranj | |
| 1969 | Sachaai | |
| 1969 | Anjan Hai Koyee | |
| 1969 | Toofan | |
| 1969 | Lady Killer | |
| 1968 | Baazi | |
| 1968 | Golden Eyes | |
| 1968 | Anjaam | Nikita |
| 1968 | Aulad | Courtesan |
| 1968 | Aansoo Ban Gaye Phool | Neelam |
| 1968 | Kahin Din Kahin Raat | Helen |
| 1968 | Shikar | Veera |
| 1968 | Kismat | Nancy |
| 1967 | Jaal | |
| 1967 | Hare Kanch Ki Chooriyan | |
| 1967 | Raat Andheri Thi | |
| 1967 | C.I.D. 909 | Sophia |
| 1967 | Jewel Thief | Helen |
| 1967 | Dil Ne Pukara | Jyoti |
| 1967 | Night in London | Sue / Jameela |
| 1967 | Bahu Begum | Courtesan |
| 1967 | Noorjehan | Dilruba |
| 1967 | Dulhan Ek Raat Ki | |
| 1967 | Chand Par Chadayee | Dancer / Singer |
| 1966 | Yeh Raat Phir Na Aaygi | Dancer / Singer (uncredited) |
| 1966 | Dus Lakh | |
| 1966 | Afsana | |
| 1966 | Thakur Jarnail Singh | |
| 1966 | Tasveer | Alka |
| 1966 | Biradari | |
| 1966 | Smuggler | Dancer |
| 1966 | Teesri Manzil | Ruby |
| 1966 | Badal | |
| 1966 | Insaaf | |
| 1965 | Faraar | |
| 1965 | Gumnaam | Miss Kitty |
| 1965 | Sindbad Alibaba and Aladdin | |
| 1965 | Mohabbat Isko Kahete Hain | Shabnam |
| 1965 | Kaajal | Courtesan |
| 1965 | Nishan | |
| 1965 | Tarzan Comes to Delhi | |
| 1964 | Zindagi | |
| 1964 | Woh Kaun Thi | Seema |
| 1964 | Cha Cha Cha | Lali |
| 1964 | Shabnam | Sabha |
| 1964 | Aaya Toofan | Princess Chandavarti |
| 1963 | Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya | Rita |
| 1963 | Shikari | Shoba |
| 1963 | Ustadon Ke Ustad | Rita |
| 1963 | Parasmani | |
| 1963 | Bidesiya | |
| 1963 | Taj Mahal | Tawaif/ Court Dancer |
| 1963 | Laagi Nahi Chhute Ram | |
| 1963 | Kabli Khan | Haseena |
| 1963 | Sunehri Nagin | Princess |
| 1962 | Half Ticket | Stage Dancer |
| 1962 | China Town | Suzie |
| 1962 | Hawa Mahal | Champakali |
| 1962 | Dr. Vidya | |
| 1962 | Main Chup Rahungi | Menka |
| 1961 | Miss Chalbaaz | Roopa |
| 1961 | Junglee | Miss Suku |
| 1961 | Gunga Jumna | Courtesan |
| 1961 | Sapne Suhane | Nimmo dancer |
| 1961 | Mr. India | Rita |
| 1961 | Maya | Banke's darling |
| 1961 | Do Bhai | Courtesan |
| 1960 | Angulimala | |
| 1960 | Dr. Shaitan | |
| 1960 | Tu Nahin Aur Sahi | |
| 1960 | Lal Quila | |
| 1960 | Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai | Cabaret Dancer |
| 1960 | Hum Hindustani | |
| 1960 | Jaali Note | |
| 1960 | Ghunghat | |
| 1960 | Kala Bazar | |
| 1960 | Superman | |
| 1959 | Kangan | wedding entertainer |
| 1959 | Gali Theke Rajpath | Dancer |
| 1959 | Duniya Na Maane | |
| 1959 | Love Marriage | Dancer (in a special appearance) |
| 1959 | Insaan Jaag Utha | Dancer (uncredited) |
| 1959 | Duniya Na Mane | Stage Dancer |
| 1958 | Night Club | Special Appearance |
| 1958 | Howrah Bridge | Dancer / Singer |
| 1958 | Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi | Dancer / Singer |
| 1958 | Yahudi | |
| 1958 | Karigar | Bar Dancer |
| 1957 | Nau Do Gyarah | |
| 1957 | Mr. X | |
| 1957 | Coffee House | |
| 1957 | Yahoodi Ki Ladki | |
| 1956 | Delhi Durbar | |
| 1956 | Halaku | |
| 1955 | Abe Hayat | Dancer |
| 1955 | Pehli Jhalak | Dancer |
| 1955 | Santosham | Dancer |
| 1955 | Miss Coca Cola | |
| 1954 | Mayurpankh | |
| 1954 | Alibaba and 40 Thieves | Dancer / Singer |
| 1952 | Amber | Dancer |
| 1951 | Khazana |
| Year | TV Show | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Angry Young Men | Self |
| 2023 | Brown | |
| 2016 | The Kapil Sharma Show | Herself |
| 2015 | Comedy Nights Bachao | Self |