When Mahesh Bhatt was called an ‘infidel’ for making an ’emotional film’ with Helen | Bollywood

Bollywood November 21, 2023

Mahesh Bhatt gave Helen, who celebrated her 85th birthday on November 21, a chance to go beyond dance numbers and showcase her acting skills in his second directorial film, Raf Ke De Ran. He talked about why he gave it. In a 2022 interview with Rediff, the filmmaker spoke about Helen’s reaction to his offer. He also recalled the time someone called him an “infidel (crazy)” for filming an “emotional film” with Helen rather than a dance song. Also read: Salim Khan talks about his reaction when first wife Salma Khan told him she wanted to marry Helen

“The response was incredible.”

A still from one of her most famous dance numbers, Yeh Mera Dil, and Helen (right) from her Mahesh Bhatt film Lahu Ke Do Rang.

Mahesh Bhatt told a portal, “When I was shooting at Natraj Studios in Bombay (Mumbai), a renowned choreographer who was shooting for his next stage came to me, a young director, and said, ‘Sunna Raj Studio. – Hai helen ke saas, the shoot is kal raha hai,’ he asked. , Dance Hikya (I hear you are filming with Helen, is that a dance?)? I shook my head and replied, “Nahin, emotional film, hai (No, it’s an emotional film).” The response was incredible: “Helen ke saas, emotional film, bana raha hai, pagal hai kya (I am making an emotional film with Helen, dear). Are you crazy?)!”

Mahesh further recalled Helen’s reaction and said, “Helen herself was happy to be a part of my film, but she also wondered if she could pull off a role that required emotional drama rather than singing and dancing.” She too was “surprised. I had wanted to cast her opposite a top star like Vinod Khanna. But once she was on board, she gave her all to the role.” She exceeded my expectations and not only “looked” like Susie, but had talent and depth. “It debunks the myth that actresses are limited by their image. Give her a strong role and she’ll do it. Audiences loved her then and they still do today. As the saying goes, time is the best critic.”

Helen’s dance number

Helen appeared in Mahesh Bhatt’s 1979 film Raf Ke Do Rang as Susie, Vinod Khanna’s lover and mother of his son Sooraj, played by Danny Denzongpa. At that time, she was still working in the Hindi film industry as a dancer with chartbusters.

Some of her famous dance numbers include “Yeh Mera Dil” from the 1978 film Don and 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, also sung by Asha Bhosle, is pure magic and remains popular even today. ‘Mehbooba Mehbooba’ from her 1975 classic ‘Sholay’, ‘O Haseena Zulfonwale Jane Jahan’ from the 1966 film ‘Teesri Manzil’ are some of Helen’s other superhit songs.