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Helen Accepts Raj Kapoor Lifetime Achievement Award on Behalf of Salim Khan, Confirms His Good Health
On Wednesday, September 9 2026, veteran actress Helen stood on the dais in Mumbai’s bustling auditorium and accepted the Raj Kapoor Lifetime Achievement Award on behalf of her husband, screenwriter Salim Khan. The 62nd Maharashtra State Film Awards, organized by the Department of Cultural Affairs, honored Khan for his decades‑long influence on Hindi cinema.
Khan, 90, was unable to attend because of a recent health episode. In a brief statement to reporters, Helen assured the crowd that he is “doing well” and remains a “very strong man.” She added that he sends his good wishes to the people of Maharashtra and to the nation as a whole.
The award, the highest lifetime honour in Indian film, comes with a certificate, a shawl and a monetary prize of ₹5,00,000. It is presented annually to individuals who have left a lasting imprint on the industry.
Earlier this year, Khan’s health situation attracted widespread attention. In February 2026 he was admitted to Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai after a minor brain haemorrhage. Doctors performed a Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA) procedure; the haemorrhage did not require surgery. He was hemodynamically stable, weaned off a ventilator, and discharged after a month of treatment.
Helen’s remarks arrive months after the incident and represent the first public update on Khan’s condition since his discharge. She said that he is grateful for the continued support of fans and that he thanked everyone who has stood by him over the years.
The couple’s personal and professional ties date back to the early 1960s. Helen and Khan first met while working on the 1963 film Kabli Khan, in which Helen played the female lead and Khan appeared as the antagonist. They later re‑connected on the set of Don (1978), a film written by the screenwriting duo Salim‑Javed, for which Helen appeared as Kamini. The collaboration helped bring the pair closer.
They married in 1981, at a time when Khan was already married to Salma Khan and had four children. Helen’s entry into the Khan family was initially met with resistance, but she eventually became an integral part of the household.
Khan’s career is best known for his partnership with Javed Akhtar. Together they wrote landmark Hindi films such as Zanjeer (1973), Deewaar (1975), Sholay (1975), Don (1978), Trishul (1978) and Dostana (1980). The duo is credited with popularising the masala‑film formula and the “angry young man” archetype that defined Amitabh Bachchan’s career. In addition to his screenwriting, Khan is the patriarch of a prominent film family, father to actors Salman, Sohail and Arbaaz Khan, and producer Alvira Khan Agnihotri.
The Maharashtra State Film Awards ceremony also highlighted other industry figures. Anupam Kher received the Raj Kapoor Award that year, and the event was attended by several senior filmmakers and actors.
Helen’s acceptance speech focused on gratitude and the enduring legacy of Khan’s work. She said, “This award that I am receiving today is on behalf of Salim Saab. You all know who Salim Saab is.” She added that all of his films are her favorites.
The ceremony, held in Mumbai on September 9, 2026, was covered by several news outlets and celebrated both Marathi and Hindi cinema at the state level.
Khan’s health update offers relief to fans and industry colleagues who had expressed concern after his February hospitalisation. Helen’s statements confirm that he is stable and remains an active participant in the film community.
The Maharashtra State Film Awards will continue to recognise talent across Marathi and Hindi cinema. The next edition of the awards is scheduled for early 2027.
For Salim Khan, the Raj Kapoor Lifetime Achievement Award is a formal acknowledgement of a career that has shaped modern Indian cinema. Helen’s acceptance on his behalf underscores the personal and professional bond that has endured for decades.
The award ceremony, held in Mumbai on September 9, 2026, marked a significant moment for the industry and for the Khan family, celebrating a lifetime of creative achievement while also highlighting the resilience of a veteran screenwriter.
Khan, 90, was unable to attend because of a recent health episode. In a brief statement to reporters, Helen assured the crowd that he is “doing well” and remains a “very strong man.” She added that he sends his good wishes to the people of Maharashtra and to the nation as a whole.
The award, the highest lifetime honour in Indian film, comes with a certificate, a shawl and a monetary prize of ₹5,00,000. It is presented annually to individuals who have left a lasting imprint on the industry.
Earlier this year, Khan’s health situation attracted widespread attention. In February 2026 he was admitted to Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai after a minor brain haemorrhage. Doctors performed a Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA) procedure; the haemorrhage did not require surgery. He was hemodynamically stable, weaned off a ventilator, and discharged after a month of treatment.
Helen’s remarks arrive months after the incident and represent the first public update on Khan’s condition since his discharge. She said that he is grateful for the continued support of fans and that he thanked everyone who has stood by him over the years.
The couple’s personal and professional ties date back to the early 1960s. Helen and Khan first met while working on the 1963 film Kabli Khan, in which Helen played the female lead and Khan appeared as the antagonist. They later re‑connected on the set of Don (1978), a film written by the screenwriting duo Salim‑Javed, for which Helen appeared as Kamini. The collaboration helped bring the pair closer.
They married in 1981, at a time when Khan was already married to Salma Khan and had four children. Helen’s entry into the Khan family was initially met with resistance, but she eventually became an integral part of the household.
Khan’s career is best known for his partnership with Javed Akhtar. Together they wrote landmark Hindi films such as Zanjeer (1973), Deewaar (1975), Sholay (1975), Don (1978), Trishul (1978) and Dostana (1980). The duo is credited with popularising the masala‑film formula and the “angry young man” archetype that defined Amitabh Bachchan’s career. In addition to his screenwriting, Khan is the patriarch of a prominent film family, father to actors Salman, Sohail and Arbaaz Khan, and producer Alvira Khan Agnihotri.
The Maharashtra State Film Awards ceremony also highlighted other industry figures. Anupam Kher received the Raj Kapoor Award that year, and the event was attended by several senior filmmakers and actors.
Helen’s acceptance speech focused on gratitude and the enduring legacy of Khan’s work. She said, “This award that I am receiving today is on behalf of Salim Saab. You all know who Salim Saab is.” She added that all of his films are her favorites.
The ceremony, held in Mumbai on September 9, 2026, was covered by several news outlets and celebrated both Marathi and Hindi cinema at the state level.
Khan’s health update offers relief to fans and industry colleagues who had expressed concern after his February hospitalisation. Helen’s statements confirm that he is stable and remains an active participant in the film community.
The Maharashtra State Film Awards will continue to recognise talent across Marathi and Hindi cinema. The next edition of the awards is scheduled for early 2027.
For Salim Khan, the Raj Kapoor Lifetime Achievement Award is a formal acknowledgement of a career that has shaped modern Indian cinema. Helen’s acceptance on his behalf underscores the personal and professional bond that has endured for decades.
The award ceremony, held in Mumbai on September 9, 2026, marked a significant moment for the industry and for the Khan family, celebrating a lifetime of creative achievement while also highlighting the resilience of a veteran screenwriter.
