Mumbai: Veteran Bollywood actress Helen's debut Marathi film, 'One Room Kitchen', where she plays a Catholic woman waiting for the return of her son who is missing since the Kargil war, is being released on December 16.
Directed by Mahesh Tilekar, Helen readily accepted the film offer since she knew him for a long time. Helen, who has acted in hit movies like 'Khamoshi' and 'Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam' in the last few years dubbed her dialogues in Marathi on her own.
Tilekar said he was looking for a Catholic face to essay the role and was overwhelmed when Helen readily accepted his offer. "Barring a few English lines, all Helenji's dialogues are in Marathi and I was surprised by her fluency in the language. She plays a Catholic woman living in a chawl (a

Helen, who rocked Bollywood for years with her item numbers, celebrates her 72nd birthday today.

Who can forget Miss Monica of 'Mohabbatein'.

Helen started her career with Bollywood as a chorus dancer with films like 'Shabistan' and 'Awaara' in 1951.

For Mahesh Bhatt's film 'Lahu Ke Do Rang' Helen won a Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award.

Apart from movies, Helen did many stage shows in London, Paris, and Hong Kong.

The item number trend is again catching up in Bollywood, but there is no one who can match up with Helen.

Helen's chemistry with actors like Shammi Kapoor and Amitabh Bachchan looked awesome on screen.

Apart from doing item numbers, Helen tried her luck in acting as well.

Helen was known for her looks and sensuous dressing sense.

Helen was chosen for Padma Shri awards of 2009.

In 1980, Helen got married to Salim Khan and they adopted a daughter, Arpita.

Helen's father was an Anglo-Indian and mother was a Burmese lady. After her father's death during second world war, Helen shifted to Mumbai with her family.

Helen played Salman Khan's mother in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam'.

Helen officially retired from films in 1982.

Offers started pouring in after that and Helen starred in several hit numbers in 1960's and 1970's.

Helen Jairag Richardson was born in Burma on Oct 21, 1939.

After 'Mera Naam Chin Chin Chu' from the movie 'Howrah Bridge' there was no looking back for Helen.

Helen made a few special appearances in films after that.

We wish a very happy birthday to Helen.

'Ye mera dil', 'Mehbooba', 'O Hasina', 'Piya Tu', are some of the hot item songs featuring Helen.

Helen
group of one or two room housing units)," he said.
Tilekar said Helen's jest for life and her passion towards work would shame any young actor of today. "One will not believe that she is 75 years old."
Apart from Bharat Jadhav, Bhargavi Chirmule, Ashalata and a host of Marathi actors, the film will also see veteran actor Shriram Lagoo in a special appearance.
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