“Hazel eyed-chic-sleek-gorgeously glamorous twinkle toed dancer charmer of the silver screen” is how the Queen of Bollywood cabaret—Helen—is described in a publicity piece from back in ’73. Helen first appeared in Bollywood films in the early 50s where she cut her teeth as a chorus dancer. Her big break came along in 1958 when she performed solo in the film Howrah Bridge to “Mera Naam Chin Chin Chu” with playback

Photos by Gerald Hurt.