Helen recalls Asha Bhosle's 'extra zest' in 250+ songs on India's Best Dancer
Synopsis
On India's Best Dancer Season 5, veteran actress Helen revealed that Asha Bhosle once told her mid-concert, 'If I were a man, I would marry you.' Behind that charming anecdote lies one of Bollywood's most defining creative partnerships — 250-plus songs that shaped an entire era of Hindi cinema.
Key Takeaways
Helen appeared on India's Best Dancer Season 5 in the special episode 'Retro Queens ka Jashan' on Sony Entertainment Television .
She recalled collaborating with the late Asha Bhosle on more than 250 songs , crediting the singer's voice for her own iconic status.
Helen shared that Asha Bhosle would specifically request to sing for her and would bring 'extra zest' to every song assigned to Helen.
A personal anecdote revealed that Asha Bhosle once told Helen at a live show: 'If I were a man, I would marry you.' Judges Karisma Kapoor , Geeta Kapur , and Jaaved Jaaferi were present and responded with applause.
Veteran actress Helen appeared on the latest episode of India's Best Dancer Season 5 on Sony Entertainment Television, where she paid a heartfelt tribute to the late playback singing legend Asha Bhosle, recalling a creative partnership that spanned more than 250 songs and defined an era of Bollywood entertainment.
A Bond Forged in Song
The special episode, titled 'Retro Queens ka Jashan', gave Helen a platform to speak at length about how Asha Bhosle's voice was inseparable from her screen identity. Helen credited the singer's vocal artistry as central to her own legendary status in the film industry.
'Asha ji was my favorite and she gave me her voice, and that's how I made history in the film industry, because of her. I've done 250 plus songs with Asha ji, she used to ask the producer-director, 'Who is going to do this song?' and when they said 'Helen', she would give that extra zest into it,' the actress recalled.
The Compliment That Drew a Standing Ovation
Helen also shared a personal anecdote from a live show where Asha Bhosle had invited her as a guest. Mid-performance, the singer paused to address Helen directly from the stage with a remark that has since become one of Bollywood's most cherished behind-the-scenes moments.
'Asha ji ne mujhe ek show pe bulaya tha, as a guest. She was singing on the stage and in between the show unhone kaha, 'Helen ji, agar main mard hoti, toh main aapse shaadi karti' (Helen ji, if I were a man, I would marry you). God bless her soul,' Helen said, visibly moved.
The revelation drew loud applause from the show's judges — Karisma Kapoor, Geeta Kapur, and Jaaved Jaaferi.
A Partnership That Defined Bollywood's Retro Era
The Helen–Asha Bhosle collaboration is widely regarded as one of the most distinctive artist pairings in Hindi cinema history. Asha Bhosle's ability to modulate her voice — from playful to seductive to melancholic — complemented Helen's expressive screen presence across cabarets, dance numbers, and dramatic sequences throughout the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s.
Notably, Helen's declaration that she could speak about Asha Bhosle 'for an entire lifetime' underscored the depth of a bond that went well beyond professional collaboration into genuine personal affection.
About the Show
India's Best Dancer Season 5 airs on Sony Entertainment Television. The 'Retro Queens ka Jashan' episode marked one of the season's most emotionally resonant segments, blending archival Bollywood nostalgia with live performances. The show is expected to continue honouring iconic figures from Indian cinema and music in upcoming episodes.
Point of View
But the sheer scale — 250-plus songs — rarely gets the analytical attention it deserves. This was not a casual collaboration; it was a sustained creative alliance that effectively built a sub-genre of Bollywood dance numbers. Reality television's growing appetite for retro tributes is doing real archival work here, surfacing first-person accounts that might otherwise be lost. The risk, however, is that the format reduces a complex artistic legacy to feel-good sound bites. Helen's candour on screen suggests there is a far richer oral history waiting to be properly documented.
NationPress
22 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Helen share about Asha Bhosle on India's Best Dancer Season 5?
Helen recalled her creative partnership with the late Asha Bhosle, revealing they collaborated on more than 250 songs. She also shared a personal anecdote in which Asha Bhosle told her at a live show, 'If I were a man, I would marry you.'
How many songs did Helen and Asha Bhosle collaborate on?
According to Helen, the two collaborated on more than 250 songs over the course of their careers. Helen credited Asha Bhosle's voice as a key reason for her own iconic status in Bollywood.
What was the special episode of India's Best Dancer Season 5 about?
The episode was titled 'Retro Queens ka Jashan' and celebrated iconic women from Bollywood's retro era. Helen was a featured guest and used the platform to pay tribute to the late Asha Bhosle.
Who are the judges on India's Best Dancer Season 5?
The judges on India's Best Dancer Season 5 are Karisma Kapoor, Geeta Kapur, and Jaaved Jaaferi. All three were present during Helen's emotional tribute to Asha Bhosle.
Where does India's Best Dancer Season 5 air?
India's Best Dancer Season 5 airs on Sony Entertainment Television.
