Helen, the iconic Bollywood dancer and actress, faced immense personal struggles long before she became a part of the celebrated Khan family. Born Helen Ann Richardson on November 21, 1938, in Rangoon, Burma (now Myanmar), her early life was marked by displacement and hardship. Her Anglo-Indian father, George Desmier, passed away during World War II, forcing her family to flee the Japanese occupation in 1943 and trek to Dibrugarh, Assam. This harrowing journey, compounded by the loss of her brother to smallpox in Calcutta, compelled Helen to quit her schooling to support her family, as her mother's nursing salary proved insufficient.
In the early 1950s, Helen's career began when a family friend, the actress Cuckoo, helped her find work as a chorus dancer in films like "Shabistan" (1951) and "Awaara" (1951). She soon progressed to solo performances, gaining recognition in films like "Alif Laila" (1954). Her major breakthrough came in 1958 with the song "Mera Naam Chin Chin Chu" in the film "Howrah Bridge," catapulting her to stardom. Throughout the 1960s and 70s, Helen dominated Bollywood as the "Cabaret Queen," renowned for her flamboyant dance sequences and vixen roles. She appeared in over 700 films, becoming a prolific performer in Hindi cinema.
However, behind the dazzling persona, Helen's personal life was fraught with challenges. In 1957, at a young age, she married Prem Narayan Arora, a film director 27 years her senior. According to some sources, Arora exploited her financially, leading to her bankruptcy and the seizure of her apartment. The marriage eventually ended in divorce in 1974.
Adding another layer to her early struggles, a new book, "When It All Began: The Untold Stories of the Underworld" by Rakesh Maria, reveals that Arora allegedly threw Helen out of her own house. With nowhere to go, she turned to an unlikely source for help: Karim Lala, a notorious Mumbai underworld don. Lala, known for his influence and respect for women, intervened on Helen's behalf. He summoned Arora and compelled him to return her home. This incident highlights the surprising intersection of Bollywood and the underworld, showcasing Lala's extensive power beyond criminal activities.
In 1981, Helen's life took a positive turn when she married Salim Khan, a prominent Bollywood screenwriter. Khan was already married to Salma Khan and had four children: Salman, Arbaaz, Sohail, and Alvira. Initially, the children struggled with their father's second marriage, particularly Salman, who was very close to his mother. However, Salma's grace and Salim's insistence on respect for Helen gradually fostered acceptance within the family. Helen became an integral part of the Khan family, and is often seen publicly with Salma. Together, Salim and Helen adopted a daughter, Arpita Khan.
Today, Helen is regarded as a beloved member of the Khan family. Her journey from a refugee to a Bollywood icon, marked by personal and financial struggles, showcases her resilience and determination. Despite the early hardships, including her troubled first marriage and reliance on an underworld figure for assistance, Helen found stability and love with Salim Khan and his family, cementing her place as a respected figure in Bollywood history.
