Acting · Rangoon, Burma. [now Yangôn, Myanmar] · Born October 22, 1939
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.
TVBrown
2026
as Aunt Bertha
TVAngry Young Men
2024
as Self
TVThe Kapil Sharma Show
2016
as Herself
TVComedy Nights Bachao
2015
as Self
MovieHeroine
2012
as Shagufta Rizvi
MovieJodi Breakers
2012
MovieDunno Y Na Jaane Kyun...
2010
MovieMarigold
2007
MovieHumko Deewana Kar Gaye
2006
as Kitty Kohli
MovieAnjaane: The Unkown
2005
as Aunty
TVIndian Idol
2004
as Self
MovieDil Ne Jise Apna Kahaa
2004
as Dhani's Grandmother
MovieShararat
2002
as Anuradha Mathur
MovieMohabbatein
2000
as Miss Monica
MovieHum Dil De Chuke Sanam
1999
as Sameer's mom
Desperately Seeking Helen
1999
as Self (archive footage)
MovieKhamoshi: The Musical
1996
as Maria Braganza
MovieAkayla
1991
as Seema's Mother
MovieBond 303
1985
MoviePakhandee
1984
MovieAyaash
1982
MovieSawaal
1982
MovieTroyee
1982
as Bar Dancer
MovieChorni
1982
as Dancer
MovieShakka
1981
as Janki
MovieSannata
1981
MovieBulundi
1981
as Item dancer in "Tera Dil O Re Babu"
MovieHumkadam
1980
as Suzie John
MovieDostana
1980
as Sylvia
MovieBombay 405 Miles
1980
as Rita (Master's wife)
MovieRam Balram
1980
as Tara Bai
MovieAbdullah
1980
as Item Dancer
MovieBilla
1980
as Reena
MovieGaram Khoon
1980
as Dancer
MovieRaakhi Ki Saugandh
1979
MovieLahu Ke Do Rang
1979
as Suzy
MovieDuniya Meri Jeb Mein
1979
as Bar Singer & Dancer
MovieAllauddinum Albhutha Vilakkum
1979
as Cabaret dancer
MovieThe Great Gambler
1979
as Monica (Dancer)
MovieJhoota Kahin Ka
1979
as Cabaret dancer
MovieHema Hemeelu
1979
as Special appearance
MoviePrem Bandhan
1979
MovieDo Shikaari
1979
as Bar Dancer
MovieApna Khoon
1978
as Dancer
MoviePhool Khile Hain Gulshan Gulshan
1978
MoviePhandebaaz
1978
as Club Dancer
MovieDon
1978
as Kamini
MovieBesharam
1978
as Item Dancer
MovieInkaar
1977
as Dancer at bar in song
MovieAgent Vinod
1977
as Lovelina
MovieFor Your Sake
1977
as Shola
MovieAmar Akbar Anthony
1977
as Fake Daughter At Airport (Guest Appearance)
MovieKhoon Pasina
1977
as Dancer
MovieImmaan Dharam
1977
as Jenny Francis
Chala Murari Hero Banne
1977
as Self
MovieAakhri Sajda
1977
MovieKacha Chor
1977
MovieAlibaba
1976
MovieAap Beati
1976
as Rita
MovieGinny And Johnny
1976
MovieOne Better Than the Other
1976
MovieDeewaangee
1976
as Kitty
MovieKalicharan
1976
as Dancer
MovieBairaag
1976
as Lucy
MovieSharafat Chod Di Maine
1976
MovieSholay
1975
as Gypsy Dancer
MovieKaala Sona
1975
as Chameli
MovieDharmatma
1975
as Dancer
MovieAndhera
1975
MovieZakhmee
1975
MovieSaazish
1975
as Lola - Singer / Dancer on ship
MovieBenaam
1974
MovieJab Andhera Hota Hai
1974
as Alka
MovieGeetaa Mera Naam
1974
as Savitri
MovieMadhosh
1974
as Mona / Mrs Goldie
MovieUjala Hi Ujala
1974
as Dancer / Singer
MovieChhote Sarkar
1974
as Kasturi
MovieAnamika
1973
as Rubai
MovieChhalia
1973
as Mona
MovieHelen, Queen of the Nautch Girls
1973
as Herself
MovieSultana Daku
1973
MovieAaj Ki Taaza Khabar
1973
MovieHeera
1973
as Dancer
MovieKhoon Khoon
1973
MovieBada Kabutar
1973
as Dancer
MovieShareef Budmaash
1973
as Carmen / Rita
MovieTaxi Driver
1973
MovieDo Gaz Zameen Ke Neeche
1972
as Bar Dancer (uncredited)
MovieVictoria No. 203
1972
as Girl On Beach
MovieGomti Ke Kinare
1972
as Herself
MovieMere Jeevan Saathi
1972
as Kamini
MovieBhale Huchcha
1972
as Item Dancer
MovieSazaa
1972
as Kitty
MovieRaja Jani
1972
MovieSange Muzhangu
1972
MovieYaar Mere
1972
as Rosie
MovieRakhi Aur Hathkadi
1972
as Mrs. Reen
MoviePistolwali
1972
MovieApradh
1972
as Cabaret Dancer / Singer
MovieDil Daulat Duniya
1972
Bindiya aur bandook
1972
MovieKathputli
1971
as Roma
MovieNadaan
1971
as Rita Saxena
MoviePreetam
1971
as Sarita
MovieMaryada
1971
MovieHulchul
1971
as Kitty D'Costa
MovieElaan
1971
MovieJaane Anjaane
1971
as Suzy
MovieAdhikar
1971
as Cabaret Dancer
MovieParwana
1971
as Cabaret Dancer
Scattered Pearls
1971
as Club dancer
MovieCaravan
1971
as Monica
MovieAag Aur Daag
1971
MovieHum Tum Aur Woh
1971
MovieMan Mandir
1971
MovieBombay Talkie
1970
as Heroine in Gold
MoviePrincess
1970
as (Special Appearce- Dancer in the Item Number)
MovieTum Haseen Main Jawan
1970
as Jina (Ranjeet's wife)
MovieKab? Kyoon? Aur Kahan?
1970
as Rita
MovieThe Train
1970
as Lily
MoviePagla Kahin Ka
1970
MovieInspector
1970
MovieIshq Par Zor Nahin
1970
MovieSau Saal Beet Gaye
1970
Maharaja
1970
MovieYakeen
1969
as Night Club performer (song "Bachke")
MoviePyasi Shaam
1969
as Life-size cardboard cut-out
MovieAnjan Hai Koyee
1969
MoviePyar Hi Pyar
1969
as Cham Cham
MovieTalash
1969
MovieTHIEF OF BAGHDAD
1969
as Yasmin
MovieBhai Bahen
1969
MoviePyar Ka Sapna
1969
as Jenny
MovieJahan Pyar Miley
1969
MovieIntaquam
1969
as Rebecca
MovieEk Shriman Ek Shrimati
1969
as Sherry
MoviePrince
1969
as Sophia
MovieShatranj
1969
MovieSachaai
1969
MovieToofan
1969
MovieLady Killer
1969
MovieAansoo Ban Gaye Phool
1968
as Neelam
MovieKismat
1968
as Nancy
MovieAulad
1968
as Courtesan
MovieBaazi
1968
MovieGolden Eyes
1968
MovieAnjaam
1968
as Nikita
Kahin Din Kahin Raat
1968
as Helen
MovieShikar
1968
as Veera
MovieNoorjehan
1967
as Dilruba
MovieJewel Thief
1967
as Helen
MovieRaat Andheri Thi
1967
MovieBahu Begum
1967
as Courtesan
MovieJaal
1967
MovieHare Kanch Ki Chooriyan
1967
MovieC.I.D. 909
1967
as Sophia
MovieDil Ne Pukara
1967
as Jyoti
MovieNight in London
1967
as Sue / Jameela
MovieDulhan Ek Raat Ki
1967
MovieChand Par Chadayee
1967
as Dancer / Singer
MovieTeesri Manzil
1966
as Ruby
MovieTasveer
1966
as Alka
MovieInsaaf
1966
MovieYeh Raat Phir Na Aaygi
1966
as Dancer / Singer (uncredited)
MovieBiradari
1966
MovieDus Lakh
1966
MovieAfsana
1966
MovieThakur Jarnail Singh
1966
MovieSmuggler
1966
as Dancer
MovieBadal
1966
MovieLove and Murder
1966
as Juliet
MovieSarhadi Lutera
1966
MovieKaajal
1965
as Courtesan
MovieSinbad, Alibaba and Aladdin
1965
MovieGumnaam
1965
as Miss Kitty
MovieFaraar
1965
MovieMohabbat Isko Kahete Hain
1965
as Shabnam
MovieNishan
1965
MovieTarzan Comes to Delhi
1965
MovieFlying Man
1965
MovieCha Cha Cha
1964
as Lali
MovieWoh Kaun Thi
1964
as Seema
MovieZindagi
1964
MovieShabnam
1964
as Sabha
MovieAaya Toofan
1964
as Princess Chandavarti
MovieTaj Mahal
1963
as Tawaif/ Court Dancer
MovieParasmani
1963
MoviePyaar Kiya To Darna Kya
1963
as Rita
MovieShikari
1963
as Shoba
MovieUstadon Ke Ustad
1963
as Rita
MovieBidesiya
1963
Laagi Nahi Chhute Ram
1963
MovieKabli Khan
1963
as Haseena
MovieSunehri Nagin
1963
as Princess
MovieDr. Vidya
1962
MovieHalf Ticket
1962
as Stage Dancer
MovieChina Town
1962
as Suzie
MovieHawa Mahal
1962
as Champakali
MovieMain Chup Rahungi
1962
as Menka
MovieMaya
1961
as Banke's darling
MovieGunga Jumna
1961
as Courtesan
MovieJunglee
1961
as Miss Suku
MovieMiss Chalbaaz
1961
as Roopa
MovieDo Bhai
1961
as Courtesan
MovieSapne Suhane
1961
as Nimmo dancer
MovieMr. India
1961
as Rita
MovieDr. Shaitan
1960
MovieLal Quila
1960
MovieKala Bazar
1960
MovieHum Hindustani
1960
MovieAngulimala
1960
MovieTu Nahin Aur Sahi
1960
MovieDil Apna Aur Preet Parai
1960
as Cabaret Dancer
MovieJaali Note
1960
MovieGhunghat
1960
as Dancer
MovieSuperman
1960
MovieGali Theke Rajpath
1959
as Dancer
MovieLove Marriage
1959
as Dancer (in a special appearance)
MovieKangan
1959
as wedding entertainer
MovieDuniya Na Mane
1959
MovieInsaan Jaag Utha
1959
as Dancer (uncredited)
MovieYahudi
1958
MovieNight Club
1958
as Special Appearance
MovieHowrah Bridge
1958
as Dancer / Singer
MovieChalti Ka Naam Gaadi
1958
as Dancer / Singer
MovieKarigar
1958
as Bar Dancer
MovieKabhi Andhera Kabhi Ujala
1958
MovieMr. X
1957
MovieYahoodi Ki Ladki
1957
MovieNau Do Gyarah
1957
MovieCoffee House
1957
MovieDelhi Durbar
1956
MovieHalaku
1956
MovieSipahsalar
1956
MovieSantosham
1955
as Dancer
MovieAbe Hayat
1955
as Dancer
MoviePehli Jhalak
1955
as Dancer
MovieMiss Coca Cola
1955
MovieMayurpankh
1954
MovieAlibaba and 40 Thieves
1954
as Dancer / Singer
MovieAmber
1952
as Dancer
MovieAwaara
1951
as Chorus girl
MovieKhazana
1951
