Helen
Known for: Acting
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
Series
The Kapil Sharma Show
Herself
2016
Series
Indian Idol
Self
2004
Series
Comedy Nights Bachao
Self
2015
Film
Lahu Ke Do Rang
Suzy
1979
Film
Mohabbatein
Miss Monica
2000
Series
Brown
Aunt Bertha
2026
Series
Angry Young Men
Self
2024
Film
Sholay
Gypsy Dancer
1975
Film
Allauddinum Albhutha Vilakkum
Cabaret dancer
1979
Film
Deewaangee
Kitty
1976
Film
Hema Hemeelu
Special appearance
1979
Film
Mohabbat Isko Kahete Hain
Shabnam
1965
Film
Marigold
2007
Film
Dus Lakh
1966
Film
Jodi Breakers
2012
Film
Awaara
Chorus girl
1951
Film
Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam
Sameer's mom
1999
Chala Murari Hero Banne
Self
1977
Film
Don
Kamini
1978
Film
Humko Deewana Kar Gaye
Kitty Kohli
2006
Film
Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya
Rita
1963
Film
Angulimala
1960
Film
Caravan
Monica
1971
Film
Maryada
1971
Film
Heroine
Shagufta Rizvi
2012
Film
Yahudi
1958
Film
Prem Bandhan
1979
Film
Woh Kaun Thi
Seema
1964
Film
Baazi
1968
Film
Love Marriage
Dancer (in a special appearance)
1959
Film
Dunno Y Na Jaane Kyun...
2010
Film
Akayla
Seema's Mother
1991
Film
Pagla Kahin Ka
1970
Film
Pistolwali
1972
Film
Dostana
Sylvia
1980
Film
Amber
Dancer
1952
Film
Hulchul
Kitty D'Costa
1971
Film
Pyar Hi Pyar
Cham Cham
1969
Film
Dr. Shaitan
1960
Film
Aaj Ki Taaza Khabar
1973
Film
Helen, Queen of the Nautch Girls
Herself
1973
Film
Sinbad, Alibaba and Aladdin
1965
Film
Benaam
1974
Film
Kismat
Nancy
1968
Film
Golden Eyes
1968
Film
Taxi Driver
1973
Film
Flying Man
1965
Film
Do Gaz Zameen Ke Neeche
Bar Dancer (uncredited)
1972
Film
Sunehri Nagin
Princess
1963
Film
Anjaam
Nikita
1968
Film
Sachaai
1969
Film
Toofan
1969
Film
Dil Ne Jise Apna Kahaa
Dhani's Grandmother
2004
Film
Nishan
1965
Film
Superman
1960
Film
Amar Akbar Anthony
Fake Daughter At Airport (Guest Appearance)
1977
Film
Inkaar
Dancer at bar in song
1977
Film
Duniya Meri Jeb Mein
Bar Singer & Dancer
1979
Film
Bombay Talkie
Heroine in Gold
1970
Film
Badal
1966
Film
Teesri Manzil
Ruby
1966
Film
Main Chup Rahungi
Menka
1962
Film
Junglee
Miss Suku
1961
Film
Jhoota Kahin Ka
Cabaret dancer
1979
Film
Miss Chalbaaz
Roopa
1961
Film
Gumnaam
Miss Kitty
1965
Film
Bairaag
Lucy
1976
Film
Alibaba
1976
Film
Hare Kanch Ki Chooriyan
1967
Film
Mayurpankh
1954
Film
Khamoshi: The Musical
Maria Braganza
1996
Film
Taj Mahal
Tawaif/ Court Dancer
1963
Film
Sawaal
1982
Film
Kaajal
Courtesan
1965
Film
Shararat
Anuradha Mathur
2002
Film
Immaan Dharam
Jenny Francis
1977
Film
Inspector
1970
Film
Abdullah
Item Dancer
1980
Film
Lady Killer
1969
Film
Raja Jani
1972
Film
Prince
Sophia
1969
Film
Geetaa Mera Naam
Savitri
1974
Film
Howrah Bridge
Dancer / Singer
1958
Film
Raat Andheri Thi
1967
Desperately Seeking Helen
Self (archive footage)
1999
Film
Hum Hindustani
1960
Film
Besharam
Item Dancer
1978
Film
Jaal
1967
Film
Insaan Jaag Utha
Dancer (uncredited)
1959
Film
Ishq Par Zor Nahin
1970
Film
Kab? Kyoon? Aur Kahan?
Rita
1970
Film
Gunga Jumna
Courtesan
1961
Film
Tum Haseen Main Jawan
Jina (Ranjeet's wife)
1970
Film
Ram Balram
Tara Bai
1980
Film
Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi
Dancer / Singer
1958
Film
Phool Khile Hain Gulshan Gulshan
1978
Film
Shikar
Veera
1968
Film
Bidesiya
1963
Film
Anamika
Rubai
1973
Film
Sarhadi Lutera
1966
Film
Billa
Reena
1980
Film
Maya
Banke's darling
1961
Film
Talash
1969
Film
Jewel Thief
Helen
1967
Film
Noorjehan
Dilruba
1967
Film
Man Mandir
1971
Film
Adhikar
Cabaret Dancer
1971
Film
Bulundi
Item dancer in "Tera Dil O Re Babu"
1981
Film
Apna Khoon
Dancer
1978
Film
Jaali Note
1960
Film
Do Bhai
Courtesan
1961
Film
Khoon Khoon
1973
Film
Khoon Pasina
Dancer
1977
Film
Madhosh
Mona / Mrs Goldie
1974
Film
Dharmatma
Dancer
1975
Film
Yakeen
Night Club performer (song "Bachke")
1969
Film
THIEF OF BAGHDAD
Yasmin
1969
Film
Saazish
Lola - Singer / Dancer on ship
1975
Film
Victoria No. 203
Girl On Beach
1972
Film
Yahoodi Ki Ladki
1957
Film
Shatranj
1969
Film
Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai
Cabaret Dancer
1960
Film
Bombay 405 Miles
Rita (Master's wife)
1980
Film
Aap Beati
Rita
1976
Film
Anjaane: The Unkown
Aunty
2005
Film
Dulhan Ek Raat Ki
1967
Film
Abe Hayat
Dancer
1955
Film
Nau Do Gyarah
1957
Film
Kathputli
Roma
1971
Film
Hum Tum Aur Woh
1971
Film
Parwana
Cabaret Dancer
1971
Film
Kalicharan
Dancer
1976
Film
Biradari
1966
Film
Kaala Sona
Chameli
1975
Film
Ayaash
1982
Film
Jahan Pyar Miley
1969
Kahin Din Kahin Raat
Helen
1968
Film
Ek Shriman Ek Shrimati
Sherry
1969
Film
The Great Gambler
Monica (Dancer)
1979
Film
Pehli Jhalak
Dancer
1955
Film
Princess
(Special Appearce- Dancer in the Item Number)
1970
Film
Cha Cha Cha
Lali
1964
Film
Jab Andhera Hota Hai
Alka
1974
Film
Sau Saal Beet Gaye
1970
Film
Ghunghat
Dancer
1960
Film
Night in London
Sue / Jameela
1967
Film
Kala Bazar
1960
Laagi Nahi Chhute Ram
1963
Film
Bhai Bahen
1969
Film
Bond 303
1985
Film
Intaquam
Rebecca
1969
Film
Sazaa
Kitty
1972
Maharaja
1970
Film
Gomti Ke Kinare
Herself
1972
Film
Dil Ne Pukara
Jyoti
1967
Film
Half Ticket
Stage Dancer
1962
Film
Aag Aur Daag
1971
Film
Jaane Anjaane
Suzy
1971
Film
The Train
Lily
1970
Film
Bahu Begum
Courtesan
1967
Film
Tarzan Comes to Delhi
1965
Film
Apradh
Cabaret Dancer / Singer
1972
Film
Pyasi Shaam
Life-size cardboard cut-out
1969
Film
Rakhi Aur Hathkadi
Mrs. Reen
1972
Film
Aulad
Courtesan
1968
Film
Night Club
Special Appearance
1958
Film
Sapne Suhane
Nimmo dancer
1961
Film
Afsana
1966
Film
Preetam
Sarita
1971
Film
Sharafat Chod Di Maine
1976
Film
C.I.D. 909
Sophia
1967
Film
Love and Murder
Juliet
1966
Film
Elaan
1971
Scattered Pearls
Club dancer
1971
Film
Shabnam
Sabha
1964
Film
One Better Than the Other
1976
Film
Tasveer
Alka
1966
Film
Zakhmee
1975
Film
Halaku
1956
Film
Duniya Na Mane
1959
Film
Nadaan
Rita Saxena
1971
Film
China Town
Suzie
1962
Film
Parasmani
1963
Film
Alibaba and 40 Thieves
Dancer / Singer
1954
Film
Troyee
Bar Dancer
1982
Film
Yeh Raat Phir Na Aaygi
Dancer / Singer (uncredited)
1966
Film
Garam Khoon
Dancer
1980
Film
Kacha Chor
1977
Film
Heera
Dancer
1973
Film
Ujala Hi Ujala
Dancer / Singer
1974
Film
Humkadam
Suzie John
1980
Film
Mr. India
Rita
1961
Film
Phandebaaz
Club Dancer
1978
Film
Santosham
Dancer
1955
Film
Mere Jeevan Saathi
Kamini
1972
Film
Raakhi Ki Saugandh
1979
Film
Chorni
Dancer
1982
Film
Shikari
Shoba
1963
Film
Pyar Ka Sapna
Jenny
1969
Film
Kabhi Andhera Kabhi Ujala
1958
Film
Andhera
1975
Film
Smuggler
Dancer
1966
Film
Aaya Toofan
Princess Chandavarti
1964
Film
Ginny And Johnny
1976
Film
Karigar
Bar Dancer
1958
Film
Kangan
wedding entertainer
1959
Film
For Your Sake
Shola
1977
Film
Lal Quila
1960
Film
Faraar
1965
Film
Sange Muzhangu
1972
Film
Chhote Sarkar
Kasturi
1974
Film
Gali Theke Rajpath
Dancer
1959
Film
Chhalia
Mona
1973
Film
Dil Daulat Duniya
1972
Film
Miss Coca Cola
1955
Film
Kabli Khan
Haseena
1963
Film
Shareef Budmaash
Carmen / Rita
1973
Film
Agent Vinod
Lovelina
1977
Film
Delhi Durbar
1956
Film
Mr. X
1957
Film
Sannata
1981
Film
Pakhandee
1984
Film
Zindagi
1964
Film
Ustadon Ke Ustad
Rita
1963
Film
Do Shikaari
Bar Dancer
1979
Film
Hawa Mahal
Champakali
1962
Film
Yaar Mere
Rosie
1972
Film
Aansoo Ban Gaye Phool
Neelam
1968
Film
Dr. Vidya
1962
Film
Tu Nahin Aur Sahi
1960
Film
Sultana Daku
1973
Film
Shakka
Janki
1981
Film
Chand Par Chadayee
Dancer / Singer
1967
Film
Bhale Huchcha
Item Dancer
1972
Film
Khazana
1951
Film
Anjan Hai Koyee
1969
Film
Bada Kabutar
Dancer
1973
Film
Thakur Jarnail Singh
1966
Film
Coffee House
1957
Film
Sipahsalar
1956
Bindiya aur bandook
1972
Film
Aakhri Sajda
1977
Film
Insaaf
1966