Remembering, 5 mesmerising performances of Bollywood’s dancing diva ‘Helen’

The Indian film industry without a hint of spicy and hot item numbers is impossible to imagine. The trend of dance hit numbers is not only confined to Bollywood. Every corner of India is full of colours and shares a similar taste for entertainment.

The modern-day glamorization of off-beat tracks and music experiments still looks a bit amateurish when compared to their contemporaries who thrilled the audience decades back. From South’s Disco Shanti to North’s Helen, their bold attitude and heart-melting performances have stunned fans like no one else.

One of Netflix’s latest released movies, ‘Monica, O My Darling’ featuring Rajkummar Rao, Huma Qureshi and Radhika Apte in the lead roles features a song named “Yeh Ek Zindagi”, which draws inspiration from veteran actress Helen’s song “Piya Tu Ab Toh Aaja”, 1971.

The famous cine actress is the second wife of famous screen-play writer Salim Khan, step-mother of superstar Salman Khan.

Here are 5 iconic performances of the dancing sensation Helen Ann Richardson Khan:

1. Piya Tu Ab Toh Aaja

Movie: Caravan
Year: 1971
Singer: Asha Bhosle
Music: R.D Burman
Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri

2. Mera Naam Chun Chun Chu

Movie: Howrah Bridge
Year: 1958
Singer: Geeta Dutt
Music: O.P Nayyar
Lyrics: Qamar Jalalabadi (Om Prakash Bhandari)

3. Oh Haseena Zulfon Waali

Movie: Teesri Manzil
Year: 1966
Singer: Mohammed Rafi, Asha Bhosle
Music: R.D Burman
Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri

4. Yeh Mera Dil Yaar Ka Diwana

Movie: Don
Year: 1978
Singer: Asha Bhosle
Music: Kalyanji-Anandji
Lyrics: Indeevar (Shyamlal Babu Rai)

5. O Mungada Mungada

Movie: Inkaar
Year: 1977
Singer: Usha Mangeskar
Music: Rajesh Roshan
Lyrics: Majrooh Sultanpuri

Also Read | Happy B’Day Helen: Struggles and controversial personal life of first item girl of Bollywood