Helen (Indian actress) Biography: Wikipedia, Parents, Age, Children, Height, Husband, Siblings, Net Worth, Movies

Helen Ann Richardson Khan, popularly known as Helen, is an Indian actress and dancer with a remarkable career spanning over 70 years.

She has appeared in more than 1,000 films and is widely regarded as one of the most celebrated nautch and cabaret dancers of her era.

Her performances have left a lasting impact on Bollywood, with memorable roles and dance sequences in films such as Howrah Bridge, China Town, and Gumnaam.

Profile

• Full Name: Helen Ann Richardson Khan
• Stage Name: Helen
• Born: 21, November 1938
• Age: 86 years old
• Birthplace: Yangon, Myanmar, India
• Nationality: Indian
• Occupation: Actress
• Height: 1.68m
• Parent: Marlene Richardson and Jairag
• Siblings: Roger Richardson and Jennifer Richardson
• Spouse: Prem Narayan Arora (m. 1957–1974) and Salim Khan (m. 1981)
• Children: Arpita Khan
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $100,000 and $500,000

Early Life And Education

Helen Ann Richardson Khan was born on November 21, 1938, in Yangon, Myanmar (formerly Burma), to Marlene Richardson and Jairag. She has a brother, Roger, and a sister, Jennifer.

She also had another brother, Richard, who tragically passed away from smallpox in 1946. Due to financial hardships after her family migrated to India during World War II, Helen had to leave school to help support them. She is of mixed heritage, with an Anglo-Indian father and a Burmese mother. Her religious beliefs are not publicly known.

Career

Helen‘s journey in Bollywood began in the early 1950s when she entered the industry as a chorus dancer. Born on November 21, 1938, in Rangoon, Burma (now Yangon, Myanmar), she and her family migrated to India during World War II.

Her introduction to films was facilitated by renowned dancer Cuckoo, who helped her secure roles in movies like Shabistan (1951) and Awaara (1951). Initially performing as a background dancer, Helen‘s talent and charisma soon set her apart, allowing her to transition into solo performances that would define her career.

Her breakthrough moment came in 1958 with the song Mera Naam Chin Chin Chu from Howrah Bridge, a performance that established her as Bollywood’s premier cabaret dancer. Nicknamed the “Cabaret Queen of India,” she became an essential part of Bollywood’s musical landscape, particularly throughout the 1960s and 1970s.

With over 600 dance performances in films, Helen‘s influence was bolstered by her collaborations with legendary playback singers like Geeta Dutt and Asha Bhosle. Her style, which incorporated Western dance elements such as cabaret and jazz, revolutionized dance in Indian cinema, making her performances both iconic and trendsetting.

Spanning more than seven decades, Helen‘s career saw her appear in over 1,000 films, solidifying her legacy as one of Bollywood’s most prolific performers. Her contributions were recognized with two Filmfare Awards and the prestigious Padma Shri in 2009.

While she officially retired from dancing in the early 1980s, she continued to make notable appearances in character roles in films like Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999) and Mohabbatein (2000). Helen‘s unparalleled legacy endures, inspiring generations of performers with her mesmerizing stage presence and unforgettable dance sequences.

Social Media

Helen is not on social media network

Personal Life

Helen has been married twice. Her first marriage was to film director Prem Narayan Arora in 1957, but they divorced in 1974 due to financial differences. In 1981, she married Salim Khan, a renowned Bollywood screenwriter.

At the time, Salim was already married to Salma Khan and had four children: Salman, Arbaaz, Sohail, and Alvira. Helen and Salim later adopted a daughter, Arpita Khan. Helen shares a strong bond with her stepchildren and is often seen in public alongside Salma Khan, Salim‘s first wife.

Filmography

• Shabistan (1951)
• Awaara (1951)
• Alif Laila (1953)
• Mayurpankh (1954)
• Howrah Bridge (1958)
• China Town (1962)
• Gumnaam (1965)
• Teesri Manzil (1966)
• Jewel Thief (1967)
• Caravan (1971)
• Don (1978)
• Lahu Ke Do Rang (1979)
• The Musical (1996)
• Mohabbatein (2000)
• Humko Deewana Kar Gaye (2006)
• Heroine (2012)

Net Worth

Helen‘s exact net worth has not been disclosed, but it is estimated to range between $100,000 and $500,000.

Her primary source of income has been her extensive career in the Bollywood film industry, where she worked as an actress and dancer, appearing in over 1,000 films across a span of 70 years.