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