Helen

Profile
Date of Birth: 21st October, 1939.
Nick Name: Cabaret Queen.
Debut Film: "Awaara"
Film Awards
Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award for "Lahu Ke Do Rang".
Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award (1998)
Mini Biography
Helen Richardson Khan was born to an Anglo Indian father and Burmese mother. She started her career as chorus dancer in the films "Shabistan "and "Awaara". Since then Helen regularly featured in the films as item dancer. Her first film as solo dancer was "Alif Laila". Helen gave her first hit film with her performance in the song "Mera Naam Chin Chin Chu" in O.P. Nayyar's hit film "Howrah Bridge". After this she was in great demand for cabaret dance and vamp roles in the films. But in 70's she found herself in challenging situation when young actresses started doing vamp roles and sexy cabaret dances. Helen faced financial difficulties in those days. Then writer Salim Khan came to her rescue.

Salim Khan helped her to get good roles in the films in which he was co-scripting with Javed Akhtar such as "Don", "Imaan" and "Dostana". Therafter Helen did "Lahu Ke Do Rang" directed by Mahesh Bhatt and she went on to win Filmfare Best Supporting actress Award for her performance in this film. Soon afterwards, she married Salim Khan, as his second wife. Helen and Salim have an adopted daughter named Arpita. Helen had retired from the screen for a number of years but recently she appeared in the films "Mohabbatein" as head of girl's school and in "Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam" as mother of Salman Kkan.

Filmography
Marigold: An Adventure In India, Hum Ko Deewana Kar Gaye, Anjaane, Dil Ne Jise Apna Kahaa, Sharaarat, Mohabbatein, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Khamoshi, Aansoo Bane Angaarey, Akela, Parchhayeen, Bond 303, Daulat Ke Dushman, Sawaal, Chorni, Kachche Heere, Waqt Waqt Ki Baat, Raaz, Bulundi, Shaaka, Chhupa Chhupee, Bhula Na Dena, Shaan, Ram Balram, Humkadam, Dostana, Abdullah, Bombay 405 Miles, Garam Khoon, Angaar, Jaayen To Jaayen Kahan, Naya Bakra, Rakhi Ki Saugandh, Lahu Ke Do Rang, Guru Ho Ja Shuru, Magroor, The Great Gambler, Jhoota Kahin Ka, Swarg Narak, Apna Khoon, Phande Baaz, Don, Hunterwali, Phool Khile Hain Gulshan Gulshan, Parmatma, Besharam, Jalan, Kala Aamdi, Prem Bandhan, Khoon Pasina, Imaan Dharam, Kismat Ka, Yaaron Ka Yaar, Zindagi, Duniyadari Of Baghdad, Kachcha Chor, Pandit Aur Pathan, Darling Darling, Aap Ki Khatir, Jagriti, Inkaar, Khel Khiladi Ka Chalu Mera Naam, Aaj Ka Yeh Ghar, Agent Vinod, Amar Akbar Anthony, Chhote Sarkar, Bairaag, Kalicharan, Raeeszada, Mere Sartaaj, Harfan Maula, Sikka, Deewangee, Alibaba, Rakhi Aur Rifle, Ek Se Badhkar Ek, Ginny Aur Johny, Aap Beeti, Shankar Dada, Sanyasi, Kala Sona, Sholay, Apne Rang Hazar, Dharmatma, Kaam Shastra, Kaagaz Ki Nav, Dhoti Lota Aur Chaupaty, Andhera Mere Sajana, Zakhmee, Benaam, Call Girl, Ameer Garib, Jab Andhera Hota Hai Geeta Mera Naam, Ujala Hi Ujala, Kshitij, Agni Rekha, Jurm Aur Sazza, Madhosh, Aaj Ki Taza Khabar, Mehmaan, Pyasi Nadi, Jewel Thief, Tasveer, Jaal, Anita, Thakur Jarnail Singh, Biradari, Saggai, Sawan Ki Ghata, Afsana Teesri Manzil , Chale Hain Sasural, Badal, Sarhadi Lutera, Insaaf, Dus Lakh, Dulhan Ek Raat Ki, Faraar, Lutera, Sant Tukaram, Baghi Haseena, Kabuli Khan Raja, Jadugar Daku, Captain Sheroo, Been Ka Jadu, Mulzim, Gyara Hazar Ladkiyan, Ustadon Ke Ustad , Parasmani, Taj Mahal, Pyar Ka Bandhan, Shikari, Hawa Mahal, Lucky Number, Dr. Vidya, Modern Girl, Jadu Nagri, Hurricane Express, Mr India, Ganga Jamuna, Baghi Sardar,Aabe Hayat, Hatimtai Ki Beti, Hoor-E-Arab, Teerandaaz, Miss Coca Cola and Flying Man.

Trivia

• Helen's mother name was Marlene Richardson.
• Helen has a brother named Patrick and a sister named Jennifer.
• Helen migrated to India with her family.
• Helen is step mother of film actors Salman Khan, Arbaaz Khan and Sohail Khan
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