Helen reveals she'd travel to Paris to source 'real feathers' for her iconic cabaret costumes
Mumbai, July 25
Bollywood superstar dancer and veteran actress Helen, made a surprising revelation behind her iconic dance costumes for her special dance numbers in superhit movies back in the golden era of Bollywood.
The actress, who will be seen on the dance reality show, India's Best Dancer as a special guest, made the exciting revelations about her fashion statements she made back in her prime days in Bollywood.
During the show, Jaaved Jaaferi, who is seen on the show, in the capacity of a judge, highlighted how Helen redefined fashion and glamour in Indian cinema.
He added how she went on to break social norms and set trends with her daring outfits and unmatched grace
Responding to the praise, Helen revealed her hands on approach to bringing global trends to Indian silver screens, furter sharing how she personally sourced dynamic fashion elements like eye lenses from across the world.
"I went to London and brought back colored lenses blue, brown, green along with special eyelashes. My headgears were made by my hairdresser, and I even went to Paris to source real feathers for my costumes. My jewelry, giant goggles, and accessories were all picked to stay ahead of the time."
Bollywood star Karisma Kapoor, who is a part of India's Best Dancer as a judge, shared a nostalgic memory passed down from her family about Helen's magnetic presence on set.
She said, "My mother used to tell me that whenever Helen Ji stepped onto the set, a respectful hush would fall over everyone, much like when Shammi Kapoor arrived."
Karisma mentioned that Helen used to pick up steps on the spot during rehearsals.
(My mother used to tell me that whenever Helen Ji walked onto the set, a respectful silence would instantly fall over everyone just as it did when Shammi Kapoor arrived.)
For the uninitiated, Helen's glamourous feathered costumes became one of the defining visual signatures of Hindi cinema's golden era.
From the iconic 'Piya Tu Ab To Aaja' in 'Caravan' to 'Mehbooba Mehbooba' in 'Sholay', 'Mera Naam Chin Chin Chu' in 'Howrah Bridge', 'Yeh Mera Dil' in 'Don' and 'Aa Jaane Jaan' in 'Inteqam' amongst many others, Helen's feather boas, headpieces and sequinned outfits transformed cabaret performances into unforgettable moments from the respective movies.
She set a benchmark in the world of Bollywood fashion with her bold choices and trendsetter outfits.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Interesting but a bit concerning about the real feathers. I hope they were ethically sourced. The fashion was definitely groundbreaking for its time though - Helen really pushed boundaries in conservative Indian cinema.
Yaar, this takes me back! My parents still talk about how Helen's dance numbers would make the whole theatre go silent. Her commitment to perfection is something today's actors should learn from. Real feathers from Paris? Wah! That's dedication! 🔥
Reading this makes me appreciate the effort behind old Bollywood magic. Helen's costumes weren't just props - they were statements. The feather boas and headpieces in 'Mehbooba Mehbooba' are pure art. That era of cinema had such soul!
Helen ji is a true trendsetter - she didn't just follow fashion, she created it! Going to London and Paris in those days for costumes must have been such a hassle, but she did it anyway. Respect! Also loved Karisma Kapoor's anecdote about her mother. Those were the golden days of Bollywood! ⭐
Honestly, while I admire her passion, using real feathers isn't something we should glorify today. There are amazing synthetic alternatives now. But I cannot deny her impact on Indian cinema - she literally danced her way into history with those iconic numbers! 🤷♀️
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