All of us enjoy Christmas lunch together: Helen

From preparing sweets to packing gifts for her grandchildren, 85-year-old Helen enjoys celebrating Christmas with her family. She recalls how everyone in the family loves marzipan. “Salma, the children and grandkids relish marzipan the most. Salim sahab has a small piece so that he can be part of the festivities,” says Helen.

Speaking about this year’s Xmas plans, Helen adds, “Arpita (Khan Sharma) usually organises our family reunions, and all of us enjoy Christmas lunch together. Our family’s favourite dish is Vindaloo Turkey; sometimes I make Burmese Khow Suey.”

Helen shares a close bond with yesteryear actresses Waheeda Rehman and Asha Parekh. Talking about their friendship, she says, “We still travel together and make great memories. We used to be a big group of friends from the film industry and would celebrate special occasions. Shammi and Nanda used to be part of our friend’s group as well, but they are no more.”

Helen shares a special connect with Bandra and attends midnight mass at St Andrew’s Church on Christmas Eve with her friends. “I love how every home is decorated with fairy lights at this time of the year. It’s truly a melting pot of cultures, and everyone comes together to celebrate the festival. I also send gift hampers to the local hospital for the less fortunate. I moved to different parts of Mumbai after coming to India and joining films but kept returning to Bandra, it’s a special connection. Especially after marriage Bandra became home and it’s where I’ve lived most of my life. Although the bungalows that existed in the past have gone and now the area is full of buildings,” says Helen.