Helen
Biography
Helen Ann Richardson Khan, known by her mononym Helen, is an Indian former actress and dancer born on October 22, 1939, in Rangoon, Burma, which is now Yangon, Myanmar. Of Anglo-Indian and Burmese descent, she has also been known as Helen Jairag Richardson. 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 peak, she was cited as one of the most popular nautch and cabaret dancers. She has received two Filmfare Awards and a Padma Shri from the Indian Government. She inspired four films and a book, and performed onstage in London, Paris, and Hong Kong. Officially announcing her retirement in 1983, she has since appeared in guest roles and cameos.
Career overview
Helen Ann Richardson Khan, known by her mononym Helen, is an Indian former actress and dancer of Anglo-Indian and Burmese descent who was born on October 22, 1939, in Rangoon, Burma, which is now Yangon, Myanmar. Her career in film spans seventy years, during which she established herself as a prolific performer in Hindi cinema and appeared in over one thousand films.
During her heydays, she was cited as one of the most popular nautch and cabaret dancers. In addition to her extensive film work, she performed onstage in international locations including London, Paris, and Hong Kong. Her contributions to the film industry earned her two Filmfare Awards and a Padma Shri, which was awarded by the Indian Government. Furthermore, she has served as the inspiration for four films and a book.
Although she officially announced her retirement in 1983, she has continued to appear in films in guest roles or cameo appearances. Her credited work in the film industry is recognized with two hundred forty-seven known credits on the Movie Database, where she is also known by the name Helen Jairag Richardson.
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Career timeline
Full Filmography
243 titles- Brown (2026) as Aunt Bertha
- Angry Young Men (2024) as Self
- The Kapil Sharma Show (2016) as Herself
- Comedy Nights Bachao (2015) as Self
- Heroine (2012) as Shagufta Rizvi
- Jodi Breakers (2012)
- Dunno Y Na Jaane Kyun... (2010)
- Marigold (2007)
- Humko Deewana Kar Gaye (2006) as Kitty Kohli
- Anjaane: The Unkown (2005) as Aunty
- Indian Idol (2004) as Self
- Dil Ne Jise Apna Kahaa (2004) as Dhani's Grandmother
- Shararat (2002) as Anuradha Mathur
- Mohabbatein (2000) as Miss Monica
- Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999) as Sameer's mom
- Desperately Seeking Helen (1999) as Self (archive footage)
- Khamoshi: The Musical (1996) as Maria Braganza
- Akayla (1991) as Seema's Mother
- Bond 303 (1985)
- Pakhandee (1984)
- Troyee (1982) as Bar Dancer
- Sawaal (1982)
- Chorni (1982) as Dancer
- Ayaash (1982)
- Sannata (1981)
- Bulundi (1981) as Item dancer in "Tera Dil O Re Babu"
- Shakka (1981) as Janki
- Dostana (1980) as Sylvia
- Abdullah (1980) as Item Dancer
- Ram Balram (1980) as Tara Bai
- Billa (1980) as Reena
- Bombay 405 Miles (1980) as Rita (Master's wife)
- Humkadam (1980) as Suzie John
- Garam Khoon (1980) as Dancer
- Hema Hemeelu (1979) as Special appearance
- Allauddinum Albhutha Vilakkum (1979) as Cabaret dancer
- Prem Bandhan (1979)
- The Great Gambler (1979) as Monica (Dancer)
- Jhoota Kahin Ka (1979) as Cabaret dancer
- Duniya Meri Jeb Mein (1979) as Bar Singer & Dancer
- Lahu Ke Do Rang (1979) as Suzy
- Raakhi Ki Saugandh (1979)
- Do Shikaari (1979) as Bar Dancer
- Don (1978) as Kamini
- Phool Khile Hain Gulshan Gulshan (1978)
- Besharam (1978) as Item Dancer
- Phandebaaz (1978) as Club Dancer
- Apna Khoon (1978) as Dancer
- Amar Akbar Anthony (1977) as Fake Daughter At Airport (Guest Appearance)
- Inkaar (1977) as Dancer at bar in song
- Chala Murari Hero Banne (1977) as Self
- Immaan Dharam (1977) as Jenny Francis
- Khoon Pasina (1977) as Dancer
- Agent Vinod (1977) as Lovelina
- Kacha Chor (1977)
- For Your Sake (1977) as Shola
- Aakhri Sajda (1977)
- Deewaangee (1976) as Kitty
- Ginny And Johnny (1976)
- Bairaag (1976) as Lucy
- Sharafat Chod Di Maine (1976)
- Kalicharan (1976) as Dancer
- Alibaba (1976)
- One Better Than the Other (1976)
- Aap Beati (1976) as Rita
- Sholay (1975) as Gypsy Dancer
- Dharmatma (1975) as Dancer
- Kaala Sona (1975) as Chameli
- Saazish (1975) as Lola - Singer / Dancer on ship
- Andhera (1975)
- Zakhmee (1975)
- Madhosh (1974) as Mona / Mrs Goldie
- Benaam (1974)
- Ujala Hi Ujala (1974) as Dancer / Singer
- Geetaa Mera Naam (1974) as Savitri
- Chhote Sarkar (1974) as Kasturi
- Jab Andhera Hota Hai (1974) as Alka
- Taxi Driver (1973)
- Aaj Ki Taaza Khabar (1973)
- Anamika (1973) as Rubai
- Heera (1973) as Dancer
- Chhalia (1973) as Mona
- Khoon Khoon (1973)
- Helen, Queen of the Nautch Girls (1973) as Herself
- Bada Kabutar (1973) as Dancer
- Shareef Budmaash (1973) as Carmen / Rita
- Sultana Daku (1973)
- Do Gaz Zameen Ke Neeche (1972) as Bar Dancer (uncredited)
- Pistolwali (1972)
- Raja Jani (1972)
- Apradh (1972) as Cabaret Dancer / Singer
- Victoria No. 203 (1972) as Girl On Beach
- Sazaa (1972) as Kitty
- Gomti Ke Kinare (1972) as Herself
- Yaar Mere (1972) as Rosie
- Rakhi Aur Hathkadi (1972) as Mrs. Reen
- Mere Jeevan Saathi (1972) as Kamini
- Sange Muzhangu (1972)
- Dil Daulat Duniya (1972)
- Bhale Huchcha (1972) as Item Dancer
- Bindiya aur bandook (1972)
- Caravan (1971) as Monica
- Maryada (1971)
- Hulchul (1971) as Kitty D'Costa
- Aag Aur Daag (1971)
- Man Mandir (1971)
- Adhikar (1971) as Cabaret Dancer
- Hum Tum Aur Woh (1971)
- Elaan (1971)
- Preetam (1971) as Sarita
- Parwana (1971) as Cabaret Dancer
- Nadaan (1971) as Rita Saxena
- Jaane Anjaane (1971) as Suzy
- Kathputli (1971) as Roma
- Scattered Pearls (1971) as Club dancer
- Inspector (1970)
- Ishq Par Zor Nahin (1970)
- Bombay Talkie (1970) as Heroine in Gold
- Pagla Kahin Ka (1970)
- Kab? Kyoon? Aur Kahan? (1970) as Rita
- Tum Haseen Main Jawan (1970) as Jina (Ranjeet's wife)
- Maharaja (1970)
- Princess (1970) as (Special Appearce- Dancer in the Item Number)
- The Train (1970) as Lily
- Sau Saal Beet Gaye (1970)
- Sachaai (1969)
- Toofan (1969)
- Yakeen (1969) as Night Club performer (song "Bachke")
- Intaquam (1969) as Rebecca
- Prince (1969) as Sophia
- THIEF OF BAGHDAD (1969) as Yasmin
- Pyar Hi Pyar (1969) as Cham Cham
- Lady Killer (1969)
- Jahan Pyar Miley (1969)
- Talash (1969)
- Pyasi Shaam (1969) as Life-size cardboard cut-out
- Bhai Bahen (1969)
- Ek Shriman Ek Shrimati (1969) as Sherry
- Shatranj (1969)
- Anjan Hai Koyee (1969)
- Pyar Ka Sapna (1969) as Jenny
- Anjaam (1968) as Nikita
- Baazi (1968)
- Kismat (1968) as Nancy
- Golden Eyes (1968)
- Shikar (1968) as Veera
- Aulad (1968) as Courtesan
- Kahin Din Kahin Raat (1968) as Helen
- Aansoo Ban Gaye Phool (1968) as Neelam
- Raat Andheri Thi (1967)
- Hare Kanch Ki Chooriyan (1967)
- Jewel Thief (1967) as Helen
- Noorjehan (1967) as Dilruba
- Dulhan Ek Raat Ki (1967)
- Jaal (1967)
- Dil Ne Pukara (1967) as Jyoti
- C.I.D. 909 (1967) as Sophia
- Bahu Begum (1967) as Courtesan
- Chand Par Chadayee (1967) as Dancer / Singer
- Night in London (1967) as Sue / Jameela
- Dus Lakh (1966)
- Badal (1966)
- Teesri Manzil (1966) as Ruby
- Sarhadi Lutera (1966)
- Yeh Raat Phir Na Aaygi (1966) as Dancer / Singer (uncredited)
- Biradari (1966)
- Smuggler (1966) as Dancer
- Tasveer (1966) as Alka
- Afsana (1966)
- Insaaf (1966)
- Love and Murder (1966) as Juliet
- Thakur Jarnail Singh (1966)
- Mohabbat Isko Kahete Hain (1965) as Shabnam
- Gumnaam (1965) as Miss Kitty
- Flying Man (1965)
- Nishan (1965)
- Sinbad, Alibaba and Aladdin (1965)
- Kaajal (1965) as Courtesan
- Faraar (1965)
- Tarzan Comes to Delhi (1965)
- Woh Kaun Thi (1964) as Seema
- Shabnam (1964) as Sabha
- Aaya Toofan (1964) as Princess Chandavarti
- Cha Cha Cha (1964) as Lali
- Zindagi (1964)
- Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya (1963) as Rita
- Sunehri Nagin (1963) as Princess
- Taj Mahal (1963) as Tawaif/ Court Dancer
- Laagi Nahi Chhute Ram (1963)
- Shikari (1963) as Shoba
- Bidesiya (1963)
- Parasmani (1963)
- Kabli Khan (1963) as Haseena
- Ustadon Ke Ustad (1963) as Rita
- Main Chup Rahungi (1962) as Menka
- Dr. Vidya (1962)
- Half Ticket (1962) as Stage Dancer
- China Town (1962) as Suzie
- Hawa Mahal (1962) as Champakali
- Miss Chalbaaz (1961) as Roopa
- Gunga Jumna (1961) as Courtesan
- Do Bhai (1961) as Courtesan
- Maya (1961) as Banke's darling
- Junglee (1961) as Miss Suku
- Mr. India (1961) as Rita
- Sapne Suhane (1961) as Nimmo dancer
- Dr. Shaitan (1960)
- Superman (1960)
- Kala Bazar (1960)
- Angulimala (1960)
- Hum Hindustani (1960)
- Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai (1960) as Cabaret Dancer
- Jaali Note (1960)
- Tu Nahin Aur Sahi (1960)
- Lal Quila (1960)
- Ghunghat (1960) as Dancer
- Love Marriage (1959) as Dancer (in a special appearance)
- Insaan Jaag Utha (1959) as Dancer (uncredited)
- Kangan (1959) as wedding entertainer
- Duniya Na Mane (1959)
- Gali Theke Rajpath (1959) as Dancer
- Yahudi (1958)
- Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958) as Dancer / Singer
- Howrah Bridge (1958) as Dancer / Singer
- Karigar (1958) as Bar Dancer
- Night Club (1958) as Special Appearance
- Kabhi Andhera Kabhi Ujala (1958)
- Nau Do Gyarah (1957)
- Mr. X (1957)
- Yahoodi Ki Ladki (1957)
- Coffee House (1957)
- Halaku (1956)
- Sipahsalar (1956)
- Delhi Durbar (1956)
- Pehli Jhalak (1955) as Dancer
- Santosham (1955) as Dancer
- Abe Hayat (1955) as Dancer
- Miss Coca Cola (1955)
- Mayurpankh (1954)
- Alibaba and 40 Thieves (1954) as Dancer / Singer
- Amber (1952) as Dancer
- Awaara (1951) as Chorus girl
- Khazana (1951)
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Helen best known for?
Helen is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including The Kapil Sharma Show (2016), Comedy Nights Bachao (2015), Home on the Range (2004), Mohabbatein (2000).
When and where was Helen born?
Helen was born on October 22, 1939 in Rangoon, Burma. [now Yangôn, Myanmar].
How many credits does Helen have?
Helen has accumulated over 243 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1951 to 2026.
What is Helen's background in cinema and television?
Helen Ann Richardson Khan, known by her mononym Helen, is an Indian former actress and dancer born on October 22, 1939, in Rangoon, Burma, which is now Yangon, Myanmar. Of Anglo-Indian and Burmese descent, she has also been known as Helen Jairag Richardson. In a career spanning 70 years, she has established herself as ...
Helen by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Billa (1980) as Reena — aged about 40
- Awaara (1951) as Chorus girl — aged about 11
- Mohabbatein (2000) as Miss Monica — aged about 60
- The Kapil Sharma Show (2016) as Herself — aged about 76
- Sholay (1975) as Gypsy Dancer — aged about 35
- Anamika (1973) as Rubai — aged about 33
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