Helen Richardson Khan is known as the "Golden Girl" of Hindi cinema. She is a dancer-actress who raised the standards of film dance to new heights. She perfected the art of cabaret with her elegance and style lending the genre respectability. Born in Burma, Myanmar to an Anglo Indian father and Burmese mother, Helen`s family fled to India during World War II. Economic compulsions forced Helen to become a chorus dancer in films. However, her training in classical dance soon saw her doing solo numbers. Helen married Salim Khan and is the step mother of Salman Khan.

Helen`s Film Career
Helen debuted with the movie Shabistan and Awaara. Later she performed as a solo dancer in the movie Alif Laila. She delivered her first hit as a cabaret dancer in the song Mera Naam Chin Chin Chu from the film Howrah Bridge which established Helen as the leading dancer of Hindi cinema. The song was sung by Geeta Dutt. Soon her dances came to be regarded as a necessary ingredient for a films success and appeared regularly appeared for films made between the 1950s and 1970s.

What set Helen apart from other dancers was her grace, control over rhythm and above all, a sensuousness that is best seen in such immortal hits as "Piya Tu Ab Toh Aaja" (Caravan). The legendry singer Asha Bonsle has lent her golden voice in many of Helen`s songs. Helen has also acted in several films such as Gumnaam, Lahu Ke Do Rang, Pagla Kahin Ka and many more. These Hindi flicks were helpful in revealing her acting skills. Helen`s career traces a long path from Ashok Kumar to Shammi Kapoor to Amitabh Bachchan. She immortalised the songs like "Mehbooba Mehbooba" from Sholay, "Yeh Mera Dil" from Don and several others.

After a long sabbatical, Helen returned to acting with Sanjay Leela Bhansali`s Khamoshi. She also made a special appearance in Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam by the same director along with Salman Khan. Later she was seen in Shararat with Amrish Puri and Abhishek Bachchan, Marigolsd and Dil Ne Jise Apna Kaha

Helen was awarded the Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award for the movie Lahu Ke Do Rang in 1979 and was honoured with the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in the year 1999.

Selected Filmography of Helen

Awaara (1951)
Alif Laila (1952)
Hoor-e-Arab (1953)
Miss Coca Cola (1955)
Changez Khan (1957)
Howrah Bridge (1958)
Twelve O`Clock (1958)
Hum Hindustani (1960)
Ek Phool Char Kaante (1960)
Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai (1960)
China Town (1962)
Sunehri Nagin (1963)
Aaya Toofan (1964)
Cha Cha Cha (1964)
Woh Kaun Thi? (1964)
Gumnaam (1965)
Lutera (1965)
Khandan (1965)
Teesri Manzil (1966)
Night In London (1967)
Jaal (1967)
CID 909 (1967)
Jewel Thief (1967)
Hare Kanch Ki Chooriyan (1967)
Shikaar (1968)
Talash (1969)
Ek Shriman Ek Shrimati (1969)
Prince (1969)
Intaqam (1969)
Aansoo Ban Gaye Phool (1969)
Pagla Kahin Ka (1970)
The Train (1970)
Bombay Talkie (1970)
Puraskar (1970)
Caravan (1971)
Nadaan (1971)
Hulchul (1971)
Hungama (1971)
Yaar mera (1970)
Upaasna (1971)
Mere Jeevan Saathi (1972)
Rakhi Aur Hathkadi (1972)
Anamika (1973)
Benaam (1974)
Madhosh (1974)
Sholay (1975)
Zakhmee (1975)
Imaan Dharam (1977)
Inkaar (1977)
Khoon Pasina (1977)
Don (1978)
Swarg Narak (1978)
Phandebaaz (1978)
Bandi (1978)
Lahu Ke Do Rang (1979)
The Great Gambler (1979)
Ram Balram (1980)
Shaan (1980)
Abdullah (1980)
Bombay 405 miles (1980)
Chhupa chhupee (1981)
Bulandi (1981)
Bond 303 (1986)
Khamoshi: The Musical (1996)
Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999)
Mohabbatein (2000)
Dil Ne Jise Apna Kahaa (2004)
Anjaane: The Unknown (2006)
Humko Deewana Kar Gaye (2006)
Marigold (2007)
Dunno Y... Na Jaane Kyon (2010)