Helen's first Marathi movie set for release on December 16

Veteran Bollywood actress Helen's debut Marathi film, One Room Kitchen, where she plays a Catholic woman waiting for the return of her son who is missing since the Kargil war, releases on December 16.

Directed by Mahesh Tilekar, Helen readily accepted the film offer since she knew him for a long time.

Helen, who has acted in hit movies like Khamoshi and Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam in the last few years dubbed her dialogues in Marathi on her own.

Tilekar said he was looking for a Catholic face to essay the role and was overwhelmed when Helen readily accepted his offer.

"Barring a few English lines, all Helenji's dialogues are in Marathi and I was surprised by her fluency in the language. She plays a Catholic woman living in a chawl (a group of one or two room housing units)," he said.

Tilekar said Helen's jest for life and her passion towards work would shame any young actor of today. "One will not believe that she is 75 years old."

Apart from Bharat Jadhav, Bhargavi Chirmule, Ashalata and a host of Marathi actors, the film will also see veteran actor Shriram Lagoo in a special appearance.