Helen
Acting • Born 1939-10-22
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
239 credits
Jaal
Movie • 1967
Don
Movie • 1978
Kamini
Zindagi
Movie • 1964
Hare Kanch Ki Chooriyan
Movie • 1967
Faraar
Movie • 1965
Ujala Hi Ujala
Movie • 1974
Dancer / Singer
Bhai Bahen
Movie • 1969
Nadaan
Movie • 1971
Rita Saxena
Jab Andhera Hota Hai
Movie • 1974
Alka
Chorni
Movie • 1982
Dancer
Shakka
Movie • 1981
Janki
Humkadam
Movie • 1980
Suzie John
Chhote Sarkar
Movie • 1974
Kasturi
Humko Deewana Kar Gaye
Movie • 2006
Kitty Kohli
Angulimala
Movie • 1960
Aaj Ki Taaza Khabar
Movie • 1973
Gumnaam
Movie • 1965
Miss Kitty
Nau Do Gyarah
Movie • 1957
Jodi Breakers
Movie • 2012
Chala Murari Hero Banne
Movie • 1977
Self
Ram Balram
Movie • 1980
Tara Bai
Khamoshi: The Musical
Movie • 1996
Maria Braganza
Victoria No. 203
Movie • 1972
Girl On Beach
Raat Andheri Thi
Movie • 1967
Khoon Pasina
Movie • 1977
Dancer
Night Club
Movie • 1958
Special Appearance
Dostana
Movie • 1980
Sylvia
Mr. X
Movie • 1957
Dr. Shaitan
Movie • 1960
Miss Chalbaaz
Movie • 1961
Roopa
Lahu Ke Do Rang
Movie • 1979
Suzy
Kab? Kyoon? Aur Kahan?
Movie • 1970
Rita
Heroine
Movie • 2012
Shagufta Rizvi
Sange Muzhangu
Movie • 1972
Kathputli
Movie • 1971
Roma
Yeh Raat Phir Na Aaygi
Movie • 1966
Dancer / Singer (uncredited)
Sharafat Chod Di Maine
Movie • 1976
Delhi Durbar
Movie • 1956
Dus Lakh
Movie • 1966
Pyar Ka Sapna
Movie • 1969
Jenny
Woh Kaun Thi
Movie • 1964
Seema
Aakhri Sajda
Movie • 1977
Afsana
Movie • 1966
Abdullah
Movie • 1980
Item Dancer
Baazi
Movie • 1968
Do Shikaari
Movie • 1979
Bar Dancer
Phool Khile Hain Gulshan Gulshan
Movie • 1978
Cha Cha Cha
Movie • 1964
Lali
Khazana
Movie • 1951
Coffee House
Movie • 1957
C.I.D. 909
Movie • 1967
Sophia
Tu Nahin Aur Sahi
Movie • 1960
Abe Hayat
Movie • 1955
Dancer
Pakhandee
Movie • 1984
Junglee
Movie • 1961
Miss Suku
Rakhi Aur Hathkadi
Movie • 1972
Mrs. Reen
Hulchul
Movie • 1971
Kitty D'Costa
Lal Quila
Movie • 1960
Pyasi Shaam
Movie • 1969
Life-size cardboard cut-out
Thakur Jarnail Singh
Movie • 1966
Gunga Jumna
Movie • 1961
Courtesan
Heera
Movie • 1973
Dancer
Pehli Jhalak
Movie • 1955
Dancer
Santosham
Movie • 1955
Dancer
Tasveer
Movie • 1966
Alka
Biradari
Movie • 1966
Smuggler
Movie • 1966
Dancer
Yakeen
Movie • 1969
Night Club performer (song "Bachke")
Jahan Pyar Miley
Movie • 1969
Yaar Mere
Movie • 1972
Rosie
Bairaag
Movie • 1976
Lucy
Bulundi
Movie • 1981
Item dancer in "Tera Dil O Re Babu"
Dunno Y Na Jaane Kyun...
Movie • 2010
Bond 303
Movie • 1985
Shabnam
Movie • 1964
Sabha
Scattered Pearls
Movie • 1971
Club dancer
Preetam
Movie • 1971
Sarita
Bombay 405 Miles
Movie • 1980
Rita (Master's wife)
Chhalia
Movie • 1973
Mona
Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya
Movie • 1963
Rita
Intaquam
Movie • 1969
Rebecca
Garam Khoon
Movie • 1980
Dancer
Sazaa
Movie • 1972
Kitty
Khoon Khoon
Movie • 1973
Sholay
Movie • 1975
Gypsy Dancer
For Your Sake
Movie • 1977
Shola
Kangan
Movie • 1959
wedding entertainer
Golden Eyes
Movie • 1968
Immaan Dharam
Movie • 1977
Jenny Francis
Anjaam
Movie • 1968
Nikita
Princess
Movie • 1970
(Special Appearce- Dancer in the Item Number)
Gali Theke Rajpath
Movie • 1959
Dancer
Pagla Kahin Ka
Movie • 1970
Half Ticket
Movie • 1962
Stage Dancer
Jaane Anjaane
Movie • 1971
Suzy
Aulad
Movie • 1968
Courtesan
Inspector
Movie • 1970
Zakhmee
Movie • 1975
Aansoo Ban Gaye Phool
Movie • 1968
Neelam
Aap Beati
Movie • 1976
Rita
Aaya Toofan
Movie • 1964
Princess Chandavarti
Elaan
Movie • 1971
Mere Jeevan Saathi
Movie • 1972
Kamini
Saazish
Movie • 1975
Lola - Singer / Dancer on ship
Geetaa Mera Naam
Movie • 1974
Savitri
Bada Kabutar
Movie • 1973
Dancer
Deewaangee
Movie • 1976
Kitty
Kaala Sona
Movie • 1975
Chameli
Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam
Movie • 1999
Sameer's mom
Shareef Budmaash
Movie • 1973
Carmen / Rita
Pistolwali
Movie • 1972
Talash
Movie • 1969
The Train
Movie • 1970
Lily
Sindbad Alibaba and Aladdin
Movie • 1965
Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai
Movie • 1960
Cabaret Dancer
Kalicharan
Movie • 1976
Dancer
Caravan
Movie • 1971
Monica
Do Gaz Zameen Ke Neeche
Movie • 1972
Bar Dancer (uncredited)
Andhera
Movie • 1975
Amber
Movie • 1952
Dancer
Mayurpankh
Movie • 1954
Miss Coca Cola
Movie • 1955
Howrah Bridge
Movie • 1958
Dancer / Singer
Dharmatma
Movie • 1975
Dancer
Amar Akbar Anthony
Movie • 1977
Fake Daughter At Airport (Guest Appearance)
Mohabbatein
Movie • 2000
Miss Monica
Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi
Movie • 1958
Dancer / Singer
Alibaba and 40 Thieves
Movie • 1954
Dancer / Singer
Jewel Thief
Movie • 1967
Helen
Apradh
Movie • 1972
Cabaret Dancer / Singer
The Great Gambler
Movie • 1979
Monica (Dancer)
Shikari
Movie • 1963
Shoba
Ustadon Ke Ustad
Movie • 1963
Rita
Tum Haseen Main Jawan
Movie • 1970
Jina (Ranjeet's wife)
Hum Hindustani
Movie • 1960
Duniya Meri Jeb Mein
Movie • 1979
Bar Singer & Dancer
Halaku
Movie • 1956
Yahudi
Movie • 1958
Kahin Din Kahin Raat
Movie • 1968
Helen
Dil Daulat Duniya
Movie • 1972
Dil Ne Pukara
Movie • 1967
Jyoti
Prem Bandhan
Movie • 1979
Anjaane: The Unkown
Movie • 2005
Aunty
Ek Shriman Ek Shrimati
Movie • 1969
Sherry
Pyar Hi Pyar
Movie • 1969
Cham Cham
Madhosh
Movie • 1974
Mona / Mrs Goldie
Jhoota Kahin Ka
Movie • 1979
Cabaret dancer
Mohabbat Isko Kahete Hain
Movie • 1965
Shabnam
Apna Khoon
Movie • 1978
Dancer
Sawaal
Movie • 1982
Ishq Par Zor Nahin
Movie • 1970
Phandebaaz
Movie • 1978
Club Dancer
Dil Ne Jise Apna Kahaa
Movie • 2004
Dhani's Grandmother
Parasmani
Movie • 1963
Night in London
Movie • 1967
Sue / Jameela
Bahu Begum
Movie • 1967
Courtesan
Troyee
Movie • 1982
Bar Dancer
China Town
Movie • 1962
Suzie
Billa
Movie • 1980
Reena
Teesri Manzil
Movie • 1966
Ruby
Helen, Queen of the Nautch Girls
Movie • 1973
Herself
Akayla
Movie • 1991
Seema's Mother
Kaajal
Movie • 1965
Courtesan
Bidesiya
Movie • 1963
Anamika
Movie • 1973
Rubai
Prince
Movie • 1969
Sophia
Noorjehan
Movie • 1967
Dilruba
Shatranj
Movie • 1969
Shikar
Movie • 1968
Veera
Bombay Talkie
Movie • 1970
Heroine in Gold
Ek Se Badhkar Ek
Movie • 1976
Aag Aur Daag
Movie • 1971
Badal
Movie • 1966
Duniya Na Mane
Movie • 1959
Man Mandir
Movie • 1971
Jaali Note
Movie • 1960
Ghunghat
Movie • 1960
Sau Saal Beet Gaye
Movie • 1970
Nishan
Movie • 1965
Hum Tum Aur Woh
Movie • 1971
Maryada
Movie • 1971
Maharaja
Movie • 1970
Love Marriage
Movie • 1959
Dancer (in a special appearance)
Taj Mahal
Movie • 1963
Tawaif/ Court Dancer
Hawa Mahal
Movie • 1962
Champakali
Desperately Seeking Helen
Movie • 1999
Self (archive footage)
Dulhan Ek Raat Ki
Movie • 1967
Sapne Suhane
Movie • 1961
Nimmo dancer
Mr. India
Movie • 1961
Rita
Gomti Ke Kinare
Movie • 1972
Herself
Adhikar
Movie • 1971
Cabaret Dancer
Sachaai
Movie • 1969
Raja Jani
Movie • 1972
Sannata
Movie • 1981
Raakhi Ki Saugandh
Movie • 1979
Benaam
Movie • 1974
Allauddinum Albhutha Vilakkum
Movie • 1979
Cabaret dancer
Kala Bazar
Movie • 1960
Dr. Vidya
Movie • 1962
Insaan Jaag Utha
Movie • 1959
Dancer (uncredited)
Tarzan Comes to Delhi
Movie • 1965
Ayaash
Movie • 1982
Laagi Nahi Chhute Ram
Movie • 1963
Karigar
Movie • 1958
Bar Dancer
Kismat
Movie • 1968
Nancy
Maya
Movie • 1961
Banke's darling
Marigold
Movie • 2007
Main Chup Rahungi
Movie • 1962
Menka
Shararat
Movie • 2002
Anuradha Mathur
Yahoodi Ki Ladki
Movie • 1957
Bhale Huchcha
Movie • 1972
Item Dancer
Anjan Hai Koyee
Movie • 1969
Agent Vinod
Movie • 1977
Lovelina
Bindiya aur bandook
Movie • 1972
Do Bhai
Movie • 1961
Courtesan
Ginny And Johnny
Movie • 1976
Toofan
Movie • 1969
Insaaf
Movie • 1966
Kacha Chor
Movie • 1977
Alibaba
Movie • 1976
Chand Par Chadayee
Movie • 1967
Dancer / Singer
Superman
Movie • 1960
Kabli Khan
Movie • 1963
Haseena
Sunehri Nagin
Movie • 1963
Princess
Sultana Daku
Movie • 1973
Lady Killer
Movie • 1969
Inkaar
Movie • 1977
Dancer at bar in song
Besharam
Movie • 1978
Item Dancer
Sipahsalar
Movie • 1956
Kabhi Andhera Kabhi Ujala
Movie • 1958
Flying Man
Movie • 1965
Awaara
Movie • 1951
Chorus girl
Hema Hemeelu
Movie • 1979
Special appearance
Parwana
Movie • 1971
Cabaret Dancer
Brown
TV • 2023
The Kapil Sharma Show
TV • 2016
Herself
Comedy Nights Bachao
TV • 2015
Self
Angry Young Men
TV • 2024
Self
Indian Idol
TV • 2004
Self