Widely considered one of the most charismatic dancers of Hindi films, Helen is remembered as the pioneer figure in Hindi film dancing who revolutionized the genre with her high octave and energized Western dances. On her birthday, Tasweermahal is looking back at Helen’s extraordinary life, which is not less than a fairy tale itself.
Early Life
Helen was born on November 21, 1938, in Rangoon to an Anglo-Indian father, George Desmier, and a Burmese mother, Marlene. Her father passed away during World War II, and the family faced immense hardships. In 1943, to escape the Japanese invasion of Burma, Helen, along with her mother, brother Roger, and sister Jennifer, embarked on a perilous journey to India. The family walked for several days through the jungles, facing hunger, disease, and exhaustion. Tragically, Helen’s brother succumbed to the hardships and died of smallpox.
Upon reaching Calcutta (now Kolkata), Helen and her mother struggled to make ends meet. Helen dropped out of school to support her family and began working as a chorus dancer in films. Her talent and dedication soon caught the attention of filmmakers, and she started getting more significant roles.
Helen Came Into Films
Helen’s first film role came in Amar Prem (1948) as a child actor in a small role. Legendry actress and dancer Cuckoo, was he family friend. After witnessing family’s struggle she helped her find jobs as a group dancer in the films Shabistan (1951).
She then appeared in many films as a background dancer, such as Badnam (1952), Khoj (1952), Mayurpankh (1953), Alibaba Aur Chalis Chor (1954), Kasturi (1954), Lal Pari (1954), Pilpli Saheb (1954), Abe-Hayat (1955), Hoor-E-Arab (1955), Hatimtai Ki Beti (1955), Mast Qalandar (1955), Miss Coca Cola (1955), Veer Rajputani (1955), Aawaz (1956), Anjaan (1956), Char Minar (1956), Halaku (1956), Hatim Tai (1956), Yahudi Ki Beti (1956), Begunah (1957), Chamak Chandni (1957), Changez Khan (1957), Mr. X (1957), Nau Do Gyarah (1957), 12 O’ Clock (1958), Khazanchi (1958), and many more.
Some of her early famous songs include “Mr. John ya Baba Khan (Baarish, 1957),” “Dil ka na karna aitbaar koi (Halaku, 1956),” “Aji chale aao (Halaku, 1956),” “Kya ho phir jo din rangeela ho (Nau Do Gyaarah, 1957),” “Hello hello Hyderabadi (Bada Bhai, 1957),” “Kahaan phir hum kahaan phir tum (Night Club, 1958),” Hum tumhaare hain zara (Chalti ka Naam Gaadi, 1958), and many more.
Her first major break came with the song “Mera Naam Chin Chin Chu” from the film “Howrah Bridge” (1958). The song, composed by O.P. Nayyar and picturized on Helen, became an instant hit and established her as a leading cabaret dancer in Hindi films.
Helen The Dancing Diva
Following the success of “Mera Naam Chin Chin Chu,” Helen became the go-to actress for cabaret numbers and vamp roles in Bollywood. Her unique dancing style, expressive eyes, and captivating screen presence made her a favorite among audiences and filmmakers alike. Some of her most iconic songs and performances came in films like Milan (1958), Sitamgar (1958), Yahudi (1958), Anari (1958), Baazigar (1958), Bedard Zamana Kya Jane (1958), Heera Moti (1959), Kangan (1959), Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai (1960), Ghunghat (1960), Chhote Nawab (1961), Gunga Jumna (1961), Junglee (1961), Maya (1961), Oomar Qaid (1961), China Town (1962), Half Ticket (1962), Parasmani (1963), Taj Mahal (1963), Cha Cha Cha (1964), Woh Kaun Thi (1964), Gumnaam (1965), Kaajal (1965), Khandan (1965), Teesri Manzil (1966), Bahu Begum (1967), Jaal (1967), Jewel Thief (1967), Shikar (1968), Talaash (1969), Prince (1969), Intaquam (1969), The Train (1970), Caravan (1971), Hulchul (1971), Hungama (1971), Apradh (1972), Anamika (1973), and many more.
It was the time when Helen was an integral part of almost every film. She was so popular and loved among the audience that special parts were being written for her. Producers used to demand her inclusion in script. For over two decades, Helen was the top choice for the role of a vamp or dancer, especially in cabaret.
Iconic Dance Numbers
Some of her iconic songs include “Tora Man Bada Paapi (Ganga Jamuna, 1961),” ” Rangeen bahaaron se hai gulzaar China Town (China Town, 1962),” “Aaye haaye dilruba (Dr Vidya, 1962),” Ooi ma ooi ma yeh kya ho gaya (Parasmani, 1963),” “Tumko piya dil diya kitne naaz se (Shikari, 1963),” “Na na na re na na haath na lagaana (Taj Mahal, 1963),” “Abhi Kamsin Ho Naadan Ho (Aaya Toofan, 1964),” “Ghungharva Mora Cham Cham (Zindagi, 1964),” “Yeh Zulf Agar Khul (Kaajal, 1965),” “Is duniya mein jeena ho toh,” “Peeke hum toh chale,” “Ham Kale ahin to kya hua,” (Gumnaam, 1965), “Huzurevala Jo Ho Ijaazat To (Yeh Raat Phir Na Aayegi, 1966),” Baaje mori paayal chhanan-chhanan (Das Lakh, 1966),” “O Haseena Zulfonwali (Teesri Manzil,1966),” “Yaar baadshah yaar dilruba (CID 909, 1967),” “Hamaar kahaa maano rajaji (Dulhan ek Raat ki, 1967),” “Main albeli pyaar jataakar (Shikar, 1968),” “Kar Le Pyar Kar Le (Talash, 1969),” “Mehfil soyi aisa koi,” “Aa Jaane Jaan,” (Inteqaam, 1969), “O meri jaan maine kaha (The Train, 1970),” “Piya Tu Ab To Aaja (Caravan, 1971),” “Aao Na Gale Lagaon Na, Mere Jeevan Saathi (1972),” “Mehbooba Mehboob (Sholay, 1977),” “Mangda mangda (Inkaar, 1977),” “Yeh Mera Dil (Don, 1978),” and many more
Acting Role and Critical Acclaim
Apart from her roles as a dancer, Helen also acted as the lead in a few films, the most famous of them being the 1964 classic “Cha Cha Cha,” opposite Chandrashekhar. She was featured in the iconic song “Ek Chameli Ke Mandve Tale.” One of her most famous roles came in “Gumnaam (1965).” Her performace in the film her a nomination for the Filmfare Best Supporting Actress.
In 1970, she played the rape victim “Jenny,” in the Pagla Kahin Ka opposite Shammi Kapoor. Her portrayed the role to perfection and was widely praised. She again gets the Filmfare Best Supporting Actress nomination for Shikaar (1968) and Elaan (1971). Her performance in this film, “Lahu Ke Do Rang (1979),” earned her the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress.
Some of Helen’s later films include Geetaa Mera Naam (1974), Sholay (1975), Kaala Sona (1975), Bairaag (1976), Immaan Dharam (1977), Inkaar (1977), Khoon Pasina (1977), Amar Akbar Anthony (1977), Chala Murari Hero Banne (1977), Don (1978), The Great Gambler (1979), Abdullah (1980), Dostana (1980), Ram Balram (1980), Shaan (1980), Bulundi (1981), Sawaal (1982), Akayla (1991), and many more.
Comeback and Later Work
After a long hiatus, Helen returned to films with Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s “Khamoshi: The Musical” in 1996, where she earned a nomination for the Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award. Since then she has acted in a few selected movies like Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999), Mohabbatein (2000), Dil Ne Jise Apna Kahaa (2004), Humko Deewana Kar Gaye (2006), Marigold (2007), Dunno Y… Na Jaane Kyon (2010), Marathi film One Room Kitchen (2011), Jodi Breakers (2012), Heroine (2012), and Pagli Shaadi Go Dadi (2021).
Personal Life
Helen first married film director Prem Narayan Arora, but the marriage ended in divorce. In 1981, Helen married screenwriter Salim Khan, becoming his second wife. Despite the challenges of being in a polygamous marriage, Helen shares a close bond with Salim Khan’s first wife, Salma, and their children. Helen and Salim Khan adopted a daughter, Arpita Khan.
Helen, the “Dancing Queen of Bollywood,” was the one who popularized tht cabaret numbers and item songs in Hindi films. Her unique style and charisma have inspired generations of dancers and actresses.
Helen’s talent and contributions to Indian cinema have been recognized with numerous awards and accolades. In 1999, she recieved the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award. She gets the Padma Shri in 2009.
Helen on IMDB
