Helen, a talented dancer and actress, was born in Burma to an Anglo-Indian father, George Desmier, and a Burmese mother, Marlene. Her father, a brave man, went missing during the Second World War, leaving her family to face the uncertainty of war. In 1942, Helen's family fled to India as refugees, escaping the Japanese invasion of Burma.
Helen's introduction to Bollywood began in 1953, courtesy of the renowned dancer, Cuckoo. Her big break came in 1958 when she performed the iconic song, "Mera Naam Chin Chin Choo," in the movie Howrah Bridge. Despite struggling to secure lead roles, Helen's passion for dancing proved to be her fortune. She went on to dance in over 600 movies, solidifying her status as a prolific dancer.
Throughout the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, Helen's impressive performances captivated audiences in films like Pipili Saheb, Naya Aadmi, Halaku, Yahudi, Howrah Bridge, Uttamputhiran in Tamil, Bedard Zamana Kya Jane, Sri Valli in Tamil, Hum Hindustani, Half Ticket, Hongkong, China Town, Woh Kaun Thi, Gumnaam, Kaajal, Jewel Thief, Yakeen, The Train, Caravan, Sange Muzhangu in Tamil, Zakhmee, Mere Jeevan Saathi, Ginny Aur Jhonny, Bairaag, Deewangee, Khel Khilari Ka, Inkaar, Don, Inteqaam, Kab Kyun Aur Kahan, Pagla Kahin Ka, Apradh, Mere Jeevan Saathi, Dil Daulat Duniya, Lahu Ke Do Rang, Shararat, Khamoshi, and Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. Her final films, for which she danced, were Sawaal in 1982 and Pakhandee in 1984.
Helen was renowned for her versatility, often donning different colors of wigs, contact lenses, and skimpy outfits in her movies. However, by the late 1970s, her demand began to diminish due to her age and the emergence of younger dancers like Padma Khanna, Jayshree T, Bindu, Aruna Irani, and Kalpana Iyer. In 1979, Helen won the best supporting actress award for her role as Vinod Khanna's Chinese wife in Lahu Ke Do Rang. She officially retired from the film industry in 1984.
Helen's personal life was marked by two marriages. She was first married to director Prem Narayan Arora from 1957 to 1972 and later divorced him. She then married screenwriter Salim Khan in 1981.
