22 December,2025 03:49 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Zeenat Aman and Helen on Indian Idol
Veteran actress Zeenat Aman has shared an interesting behind-the-scenes memory from her early days in Bollywood.
During her appearance on Indian Idol 16, she revealed how legendary dancer and actor Helen guided her and other heroines in mastering on-screen essentials like contact lenses, eyelashes, and wigs.
Reflecting on Helen's influence, Zeenat highlighted her role in shaping the glamour and professionalism of a generation of actresses. Rapper Badshah asked, "Zeenat ma'am, Helen ma'am, since both of you worked during the same period and were at the top of your careers, was there ever any rivalry between you?"
Responding to this, Zeenat Aman praised Helen, calling her incomparable and saying there was never any question of rivalry. She shared that they would watch Helen closely to learn how to wear contact lenses, false eyelashes, and wigs.
The Ajnabee actress added that Helen was truly unbeatable. She said, "Helen ji, she was incomparable. There was no question of rivalry. We used to watch her and learn how to wear contact lenses, how to wear eyelashes, and how to wear a wig. She was unbeatable, always. Before I joined films, I was a huge fan of Helen's. In the first film, when I saw her on set, my jaw dropped."
Hearing this, Helen also expressed her admiration for Zeenat Aman, saying that her jaw dropped when she saw such a beautiful girl enter the film industry. "My jaw dropped, too, looking at such a beautiful girl coming into the film industry. Mashallah."
Zeenat Aman has frequently spoken about her deep admiration for Helen. The two shared the screen in Ram Balram and other films in the 70s and 80s.
Recently, both veteran actresses appeared on the singing reality show Indian Idol 16. The latest episode, titled "Celebrating the Lady Dons," paid tribute to Zeenat Aman and Helen. Contestants honoured their legacy by performing some of their hit tracks.
A whiff of nostalgia swept through the audience as evergreen icon Zeenat Aman brought back the magic of her legendary chartbuster Dum Maaro Dum on the Indian Idol stage. With contestant Anshika's powerful and soulful rendition of the iconic song, which is originally from the 1971 film Haré Rama Haré Krishna, nostalgia filled the air, transforming the performance into a full-blown celebration.
Zeenat couldn't resist stepping onto the stage and dancing to the timeless track, instantly earning thunderous applause from the judges, contestants, and audience alike. The moment became even more special when Kartik Aaryan joined the veteran diva on the dance floor.
Hare Rama Hare Krishna is a 1971 Indian Hindi-language satirical musical drama film written, produced and directed by Dev Anand. It stars Dev Anand, alongside Mumtaz, Zeenat Aman and Prem Chopra in the lead roles. The film deals with the decadence of the Hippie culture, and aims to have an anti-drug message and also depicts some problems associated with Westernization.
