When Mahesh Bhatt was referred to as pagal for casting Helen in ’emotional movie’ with Vinod Khanna: She too was nervous

Mahesh Bhatt opened up about why he gave Helen, who turned 85 on November 21, the chance to transcend dance numbers, and showcase her performing skills in his second movie as director, Lahu Ke Do Rang. In a 2022 interview with Rediff, the filmmaker spoke about Helen’s response to his supply. He additionally recalled how somebody advised him he was ‘pagal (loopy)’ for not taking pictures a dance track, however an ’emotional movie’ with Helen. Also learn: Salim Khan on first spouse Salma Khan’s response when he advised her he wished to marry Helen

‘The response was incredulous’

Mahesh Bhatt advised the portal, “When we were filming in Bombay’s (Mumbai’s) Natraj Studio, a reputed choreographer shooting on the next stage, walked up to me, a junior director, and asked, ‘Suna hai Helen ke saath shooting kar raha hai, dance hai kya (I heard you are shooting with Helen, is it a dance)?’ Shaking my head, I replied, ‘Nahin, emotional film hai (No, it is an emotional film).’ The response was incredulous: ‘Helen ke saath emotional film bana raha hai, pagal hai kya (You are making an emotional film with Helen, are you crazy)!'”

Mahesh additional recalled Helen’s response, saying, “Helen ji herself was happy to do my film, but she too was nervous about whether she would be able to pull off the role that demanded not song-and-dance but emotional drama. She was also surprised I wanted to cast her opposite a top star like Vinod Khanna. However, once she jumped on board, she gave every bit of herself to the role. She went beyond my expectations and not only ‘looked’ Suzy but with her talent and depth, debunked the myth that an actress is limited by her image. Give her a strong role and she will deliver. The audience loved her then, they still do and as they say, time is the best critic.”

Helen’s dance numbers

Helen was seen as Suzy, Vinod Khanna’s lover, and the mom of his son Suraj, performed by Danny Denzongpa, in Mahesh Bhatt’s 1979 directorial Lahu Ke Do Rang. At the time, she was nonetheless a dancer within the Hindi movie trade, who did chartbuster merchandise numbers.

Some of her well-known dance numbers embody Yeh Mera Dil, which was featured within the 1978 film Don and was sung by Asha Bhosle. The film starred Amitabh Bachchan and Zeenat Aman in lead roles.

Helen’s Piya Tu Ab To Aaja from the 1971 film Caravan, additionally sung by Asha Bhosle, is pure magic and well-liked even at this time. Mehbooba Mehbooba, from the 1975 traditional Sholay, and O Haseena Zulfonwale Jane Jahan from the 1966 film Teesri Manzil are a few of Helen’s different superhit songs.

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