The Filmfare Best Female Playback Award is given by Filmfare as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Hindi films, to recognise outstanding performance in a film song by a female playback singer.
Although the award ceremony was established in 1954, the category for best playback singer was introduced in 1959. The award was initially common for both male and female singers until 1967. The category was divided the following year, and ever since there have been two awards presented for male and female singers separately.
Superlatives
| Superlative | Artist | Record |
|---|---|---|
| Most wins | Asha Bhosle Alka Yagnik |
7 |
| Most nominations | Alka Yagnik | 36 |
| Most nominations without ever winning | Jonita Gandhi | 4 |
| Most nominations in a single year | Asha Bhosle (1975) Alka Yagnik (1994) |
4 |
| Oldest winner | Usha Uthup | 64 age |
| Oldest nominee | ||
| Youngest winner | Nazia Hassan | 15 age |
| Youngest nominee | Poornima | 14 age |
| Longest win span | Alka Yagnik Shreya Ghoshal |
16 years |
| Longest nomination span | Alka Yagnik | 33 years |
With seven wins each, Asha Bhosle and Alka Yagnik hold the record for most awards in this category. Shreya Ghoshal has won the award six times. Lata Mangeshkar, Anuradha Paudwal and Kavita Krishnamurthy have won the award four times. Bhosle won the award in a record of four consecutive years (1972–75), followed by the three consecutive wins of Paudwal (1991–1993), Krishnamurthy (1995–1997) and Yagnik (2000–2002), respectively.
Two singers have achieved the feat of receiving all the nominations of this category in a particular year: Asha Bhosle was the single nominee in 1973, having all the three nominations to her credit, and Alka Yagnik was the single nominee in 1994, having all the four nominations to her credit, one of which she shared—and eventually jointly won—with Ila Arun.
At age 15, Nazia Hassan became the youngest and the first Pakistani singer to win a Filmfare Award for the song "Aap Jaisa Koi" from Qurbani (1980), while Usha Uthup is the older winner and nominee for the song ""Darling" from 7 Khoon Maaf (2011), winning at the age of 64.
In 1971, Lata Mangeshkar made the unusual gesture of not having her name be considered for the Filmfare Best Female Playback Award, in order to promote fresh talent. After receiving seventh award in 1979, Asha Bhosle emulated her elder sister and requested that her name not be considered for the nominations thereafter.[1] There were ties for two consecutive years between 2010 and 2011.
Before the award was officially divided by gender (1968), Lata Mangeshkar was the only female artist to not only win the Best Playback Singer among female singers, she was the only female singer to be even nominated for the awards. She was also the earliest recipient of this award in 1959. Mangeshkar was the most successful singer in 60s with three wins. Moreover, out of the four awards she got before retiring from the awards voluntarily, Mangeshkar won three of her awards when there was only one award given for playback singing including both male and female singers. Bhosle dominated in the 70s with five wins (Mangeshkar not considered from hereon). In 80s no singer dominated the epoch (Bhosle not considered from hereon); however in 90s Anuradha Paudwal and Kavita Krishnamurthy both had three wins each. Alka Yagnik and Shreya Ghoshal garnered four wins each in the 2000s. Rekha Bhardwaj and Shreya Ghoshal led the 2010s with two wins each, and Asees Kaur and Shilpa Rao each have two wins in the 2020s.
Alka Yagnik holds the record of getting nominated for consecutively 14 years from 1992 till 2005, resulting in 31 nominations and 6 wins, followed by Shreya Ghoshal getting nominated consecutively for 11 years from 2006 to 2016 that resulted in 3 wins and 17 nominations.
Most consecutive wins
| Artist | Number of Wins | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Asha Bhosle | 4 | 1972-75 |
| Anuradha Paudwal | 3 | 1991-93 |
| Kavita Krishnamurthy | 1995-97 | |
| Alka Yagnik | 2000-02 | |
| Asha Bhosle | 2 | 1968-69 |
| Shreya Ghoshal | 2003-04 | |
| 2008-09 | ||
| Asees Kaur | 2021-22 |
Multiple winners
| Winners | Number of wins | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Asha Bhosle | 7 | 1968, 1969, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1979 |
| Alka Yagnik | 1989, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005 | |
| Shreya Ghoshal | 6 | 2003, 2004, 2008, 2009, 2016, 2019 |
| Lata Mangeshkar | 4 | 1959, 1963, 1966, 1970 |
| Anuradha Paudwal | 1986, 1991, 1992, 1993 | |
| Kavita Krishnamurthy | 1995, 1996, 1997, 2003 | |
| Sunidhi Chauhan | 2 | 2007, 2011 |
| Rekha Bhardwaj | 2010, 2012 | |
| Asees Kaur | 2021, 2022 | |
| Kavita Seth | 2010, 2023 | |
| Shilpa Rao | 2020, 2024 |
Multiple nominees
| Singer | Number of nominations | Number of wins |
|---|---|---|
| Alka Yagnik | 36 | 7 |
| Shreya Ghoshal | 30 | 6 |
| Asha Bhosle | 20 | 7 |
| Lata Mangeshkar | 19 | 4 |
| Kavita Krishnamurthy | 18 | |
| Sunidhi Chauhan | 17 | 2 |
| Anuradha Paudwal | 12 | 4 |
| Alisha Chinai | 6 | 1 |
| Shilpa Rao | 6 | 2 |
Winners and nominees
In 1959, the award category for Best Playback Singer was first instituted after Lata Mangeshkar refused to perform the song "Rasik Balma Se Dil Kyon Lagaya" from the film Chori Chori by Shankar Jaikishan at the 3rd Filmfare Awards. Mangeshkar also became the first recipient of this award. Separate awards for male and female singers were introduced from 1968.[2]
Note: The category for Best Playback Singer was established in 1959, and until 1967 both male and female singers used to compete for a single award.
| Template:Double dagger | Indicates the winner |
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1950s
| Year | Singer | Song | Film | Template:Abbr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1959 (6th) |
Template:Sort | "Aaja Re Pardesi" | Madhumati | [3] |
1960s
| Year | Singer | Song | Film | Template:Abbr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 (7th) |
Award was Won by a Male singer | |||
| Template:Sort | "Bhaiya Mere" | Chhoti Bahen | [4][5] | |
| 1961 (8th) |
Award was Won by a Male singer | |||
| Template:Sort | "Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai" | Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai | [6][7] | |
| "Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya" | Mughal-e-Azam | |||
| 1962 (9th) |
Award was Won by a Male singer | |||
| 1963 (10th) |
Template:Sort | "Kahin Deep Jale Kahin Dil" | Bees Saal Baad | [8][9] |
| Lata Mangeshkar | "Aap Ki Nazaron Ne Samjha" | Anpadh | ||
| 1964 (11th) |
Award was Won by a Male singer | |||
| Template:Sort | "Jo Vada Kiya" | Taj Mahal | [10][11] | |
| 1965 (12th) |
Award was Won by a Male singer | |||
| Template:Sort | "Jyot Se Jyot" | Sant Gyaneshwar | [12][13] | |
| 1966 (13th) |
Template:Sort | "Tumhi Mere Mandir" | Khandan | [14][15] |
| Lata Mangeshkar | "Ek Tu Na Mila" | Himalay Ki God Mein | ||
| 1967 (14th) |
Award was Won by a Male singer | |||
| Template:Sort | "Lo Aagai Unki Yaad" | Do Badan | ||
| "Aaj Phir Jeene Ki Tamanna Hai" | Guide | [16][17] | ||
| 1968 (15th) |
Template:Sort | "Garibon Ki Suno" | Dus Lakh | [18][19] |
| Template:Sort | "Baharo Mera Jeevan Bhi Sawaro" | Aakhri Khat | ||
| "Sawan Ka Mahina" | Milan | |||
| 1969 (16th) |
Template:Sort | "Parde Men Rahne Do" | Shikar | [20][21] |
| Template:Sort | "Milti Hai Zindagi Men" | Ankhen | ||
| Template:Sort | "Tumhari Bhi Jai Jai" | Diwana | ||
1970s
| Year | Singer | Song | Film | Template:Abbr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 (17th) |
Template:Sort | "Aap Mujhe Achhe Lagne Lage" | Jeene Ki Raah | [22][23] |
| Lata Mangeshkar | "Kaise Rahun Chup" | Intaqam | ||
| Template:Sort | "Tere Ang Ka Rang Hai Angoori" | Chanda Aur Bijli | ||
| 1971 (18th) |
Template:Sort | "Baat Zara Hai Apas Ki" | Jahan Pyar Miley | [24][25] |
| Template:Sort | "Bindiya Chamke Gi" | Do Raaste | ||
| "Babul Pyare" | Johny Mera Naam | |||
| 1972 (19th) |
Template:Sort | "Piya Tu Ab To Aja" | Caravan | [26][27] |
| Asha Bhosle | "Zindagi Ek Safar Hai" | Andaz | ||
| Template:Sort | "Aapke Peeche" | Ek Nari Ek Brahmachari | ||
| 1973 (20th) |
Template:Sort | "Dum Maro Dum" | Haré Rama Haré Krishna | [28][29] |
| Asha Bhosle | "Sooni Sooni Sans Ke Sitar Par" | Lal Patthar | ||
| "Maine Kaha Na Na Na" | Lalkar | |||
| 1974 (21st) |
Template:Sort | "Hone Lagi Hai Raat" | Naina | [30][31] |
| Asha Bhosle | "Hungama Ho Gaya" | Anhonee | ||
| "Jab Andhera Hota Hai" | Raja Rani | |||
| Poornima | "Tera Mujh Se" | Aa Gale Lag Jaa | ||
| Template:Sort | "Raat Piya Ke Sang Jagi Re Sakhi" | Prem Parbat | ||
| 1975 (22nd) |
Template:Sort | "Chain Se Ham Ko Kabhi" | Pran Jaye Per Vachan Na Jaye | [32][33] |
| Asha Bhosle | "Main Ja Rahi Thi" | Bidaai | ||
| "Yeh Hawas Kya Hai" | Hawas | |||
| "Chori Chori Solah Shringar Karoongi" | Manoranjan | |||
| Template:Sort | "Behna Ne Bhai Ki Kalai Se Pyar Bandha Hai" | Resham Ki Dori | ||
| 1976 (23rd) |
Template:Sort | "Tu Hi Sagar Tu Hi Kinara" | Sankalp | [34][35] |
| Template:Sort | "Kal Ke Apne" | Amanush | ||
| "Sapna Mera Toot Gaya" | Khel Khel Mein | |||
| Template:Sort | "My Heart Is Beating" | Julie | ||
| Template:Sort | "Main To Arti Utaroon" | Jai Santoshi Maa | ||
| 1977 (24th) |
Template:Sort | "Tu Jo Mere Sur Mein" | Chitchor | [36][37] |
| Template:Sort | "I Love You, You Love Me" | Barood | ||
| Hemlata | "Sun Ke Teri Pukar" | Fakira | ||
| Template:Sort | "Bandhi Re Kahe Preet" | Sankoch | ||
| 1978 (25th) |
Template:Sort | "Mero Gaam Katha Parey" | Manthan | [38][39] |
| Template:Sort | "Layi Kahan Hai Zindagi" | Taxi-Taxie | ||
| Poornima | "Kya Hua Tera Wada" | Hum Kisise Kum Naheen | ||
| Template:Sort | "O Mungda, Mungda Main Gud Ki Dali" | Inkaar | ||
| 1979 (26th) |
Template:Sort | "Yeh Mera Dil Yaar Ka Diwana" | Don | [40][41] |
| Asha Bhosle | "O Saathi Re" | Muqaddar Ka Sikandar | ||
| Template:Sort | "Ankhiyon Ke Jharokhon Se" | Ankhiyon Ke Jharokhon Se | ||
| Template:Sort | "Saiyan Rooth Gaye" | Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki | ||
| Template:Sort | "One Two Cha Cha Cha" | Shalimar |
1980s
| Year | Singer | Song | Film | Template:Abbr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 (27th) |
Template:Sort | "Mere To Giridhar Gopal" | Meera | [42][43] |
| Template:Sort | "Aap Ki Yaad Aati Rahi Raat Bhar" | Gaman | ||
| Template:Sort | "Megha, O Re Megha" | Sunayana | ||
| Template:Sort | "Ham Se Nazar To Milao" | Ikraar | ||
| Vani Jairam | "Ayri Main To Prem Diwani" | Meera | ||
| 1981 (28th) |
Template:Sort | "Aap Jaisa Koi" | Qurbani | [44][45] |
| Template:Sort | "Pehchan To Thi" | Griha Pravesh | ||
| Template:Sort | "Too Is Tarah Se" | Aap To Aise Na The | ||
| Kanchan | "Laila O Laila" | Qurbani | ||
| Template:Sort | "Hari Om Hari" | Pyaara Dushman | ||
| 1982 (29th) |
Template:Sort | "Hamen Tumse Pyaar Kitna" | Kudrat | [46][47] |
| Template:Sort | "Mere Angne Men" | Laawaris | ||
| Template:Sort | "Mohabbat Rang Layegi" | Poonam | ||
| Template:Sort | "Mere Jaesi Haseena" | Armaan | ||
| Template:Sort | "Ramba Ho-Ho-Ho Samba Ho-Ho-Ho" | |||
| 1983 (30th) |
Template:Sort | "Dil Ke Arman Ansuon Men Bah Gaye" | Nikaah | [48][49] |
| Template:Sort | "Maine Ek Geet Likha Hai" | Yeh Nazdeekiyan | ||
| Template:Sort | "Boom Boom" | Star | ||
| Salma Agha | "Dil Ki Yeh Arzoo Thi" | Nikaah | ||
| "Faza Bhi Hai Jawan" | ||||
| 1984 (31st) |
Template:Sort | "Do Naina Aur Ek Kahaani" | Masoom | [50][51] |
| Template:Sort | "Too Mera Hero Hai" | Hero | ||
| Template:Sort | "Aa Ja Ke Teri Raah Men Palke Bicha" | Lal Chunariya | ||
| 1985 (32nd) |
Template:Sort | "Sohni Chenab De Kinare" | Sohni Mahiwal | [52][53] |
| Template:Sort | "Dance Dance" | Kasam Paida Karne Wale Ki | ||
| 1986 (33rd) |
Template:Sort | "Mere Man Baaja Mirdang" | Utsav | [54][55] |
| Template:Sort | "Tumse Milkar Na Jane" | Pyar Jhukta Nahin | ||
| Template:Sort | "Yaar Bina Chen Kahan Ray" | Saaheb | ||
| 1987 | NO CEREMONY | |||
| 1988 | NO CEREMONY | |||
| 1989 (34th) |
Template:Sort | "Ek Do Teen Char" | Tezaab | [56][57] |
| Template:Sort | "Jeena Nahi" | Tezaab | ||
| Template:Sort | "Main Teri Hoon Janam" | Khoon Bhari Maang | ||
1990s
2000s
2010s
2020s
See also
References
- ↑ Tangy titbits from the Filmfare past. Filmfare({Template:Date).
- ↑ Naushadnama: The Life and Music of Naushad{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. Hay House Publishers(2013). ISBN 978-93-81431-93-1
- ↑ Filmfare Flashback: Super Performers. Filmfare. Worldwide Media(11 January 2018).
- ↑ Template:Cite magazine
- ↑ Template:Cite magazine
- ↑ Naushadnama: The Life and Music of Naushad{{#if:Bharatan|, Bharatan}. Hay House(14 April 2014). ISBN 978-9-381-39863-0
- ↑ Great Muslims of Undivided India{{#if:Ekbal|, Ekbal}. Gyan Publishing House(2009). ISBN 978-8-178-35756-0
- ↑ The Filmfare Awards Nominations – 1962. The Times Group.
- ↑ The Filmfare Awards Winners – 1962. The Times Group.
- ↑ The Filmfare Awards Nominations – 1963. The Times Group.
- ↑ The Filmfare Awards Winners – 1963. The Times Group.
- ↑ The Filmfare Awards Nominations – 1964. The Times Group.
- ↑ The Filmfare Awards Winners – 1964. The Times Group.
- ↑ The Filmfare Awards Nominations – 1965. The Times Group.
- ↑ The Filmfare Awards Winners – 1965. The Times Group.
- ↑ The Filmfare Awards Nominations – 1966. The Times Group.
- ↑ The Filmfare Awards Winners – 1966. The Times Group.
- ↑ The Filmfare Awards Nominations – 1967. The Times Group.
- ↑ The Filmfare Awards Winners – 1967. The Times Group.
- ↑ The Filmfare Awards Nominations – 1968. The Times Group.
- ↑ The Filmfare Awards Winners – 1968. The Times Group.
- ↑ Yesterday's Melodies Today's Memories{{#if:Premchand|, Premchand}. Notion Press(27 December 2018). ISBN 978-1-644-29877-0
- ↑ The Filmfare Awards Winners – 1969. The Times Group.
- ↑ The Filmfare Awards Nominations – 1970. The Times Group.
- ↑ The Filmfare Awards Winners – 1970. The Times Group.
- ↑ The Filmfare Awards Nominations – 1971. The Times Group.
- ↑ The Filmfare Awards Winners – 1971. The Times Group.
- ↑ The Filmfare Awards Nominations – 1972. The Times Group.
- ↑ The Filmfare Awards Winners – 1972. The Times Group.
- ↑ The Filmfare Awards Nominations – 1973. The Times Group.
- ↑ The Filmfare Awards Winners – 1973. The Times Group.
- ↑ The Filmfare Awards Nominations – 1974. The Times Group.
- ↑ The Filmfare Awards Winners – 1974. The Times Group.
- ↑ The Filmfare Awards Nominations – 1975. The Times Group.
- ↑ The Filmfare Awards Winners – 1975. The Times Group.
- ↑ The Filmfare Awards Nominations – 1976. The Times Group.
- ↑ The Filmfare Awards Winners – 1976. The Times Group.
- ↑ The Filmfare Awards Nominations – 1977. The Times Group.
- ↑ The Filmfare Awards Winners – 1977. The Times Group.
- ↑ The Filmfare Awards Nominations – 1978. The Times Group.
- ↑ The Filmfare Awards Winners – 1978. The Times Group.
- ↑ The Filmfare Awards Nominations – 1979. The Times Group.
- ↑ The Filmfare Awards Winners – 1979. The Times Group.
- ↑ The Filmfare Awards Nominations – 1980. The Times Group.
- ↑ The Filmfare Awards Winners – 1980. The Times Group.
- ↑ Raaggiri{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. Prabhat Prakashan(2019). ISBN 978-9-353-22507-0
- ↑ The Filmfare Awards Winners – 1981. The Times Group.
- ↑ The Filmfare Awards Nominations – 1982. The Times Group.
- ↑ The Filmfare Awards Winners – 1982. The Times Group.
- ↑ The Filmfare Awards Nominations – 1983. The Times Group.
- ↑ The Filmfare Awards Winners – 1983. The Times Group.
- ↑ The Filmfare Awards Nominations – 1984. The Times Group.
- ↑ The Filmfare Awards Winners – 1984. The Times Group.
- ↑ The Filmfare Awards Nominations – 1985. The Times Group.
- ↑ The Filmfare Awards Winners – 1985. The Times Group.
- ↑ The Filmfare Awards Nominations – 1988. The Times Group.
- ↑ The Filmfare Awards Winners – 1988. The Times Group.
- ↑ The Filmfare Awards Nominations – 1989. The Times Group.
- ↑ The Filmfare Awards Winners – 1989. The Times Group.
- ↑ The Filmfare Awards Nominations – 1990. The Times Group.
- ↑ The Filmfare Awards Winners – 1990. The Times Group.
- ↑ The Filmfare Awards Nominations – 1991. The Times Group.
- ↑ The Filmfare Awards Winners – 1991. The Times Group.
- ↑ The Filmfare Awards Nominations – 1992. The Times Group.
- ↑ The Filmfare Awards Winners – 1992. The Times Group.
- ↑ The Filmfare Awards Nominations – 1993. The Times Group.
- ↑ The Filmfare Awards Winners – 1993. The Times Group.
- ↑ The Filmfare Awards Nominations – 1994. The Times Group.
- ↑ The Filmfare Awards Winners – 1994. The Times Group.
- ↑ The Filmfare Awards Nominations – 1995. The Times Group.
- ↑ The Filmfare Awards Winners – 1995. The Times Group.
- ↑ The Filmfare Awards Winners – 1996. The Times Group.
- ↑ Filmfare Awards 1998 Winners. The Times of India. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
- ↑ Filmfare Awards 1999 Winners. The Times of India. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
- ↑ Filmfare Awards 2000 Winners. The Times of India. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
- ↑ Filmfare Awards 2001 Winners. The Times of India. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
- ↑ Filmfare Awards 2002 Winners. The Times of India. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
- ↑ Filmfare Awards 2003 Winners. The Times of India. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
- ↑ Filmfare Awards 2004 Winners. The Times of India. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
- ↑ Filmfare Awards 2005 Winners. The Times of India. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
- ↑ Filmfare Awards 2006 Winners. The Times of India. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
- ↑ Filmfare Awards 2007 Winners. The Times of India. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
- ↑ Filmfare Awards 2008 Winners. The Times of India. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
- ↑ Filmfare Awards 2009 Winners. The Times of India. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
- ↑ Filmfare Awards 2010 Winners. The Times of India. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
- ↑ Filmfare Awards 2011 Winners. The Times of India. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
- ↑ Filmfare Awards 2012 Winners. The Times of India. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
- ↑ Filmfare Awards 2013 Winners. The Times of India. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
- ↑ Filmfare Awards 2014 Winners. The Times of India. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
- ↑ Filmfare Awards 2015 Winners. The Times of India. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
- ↑ Filmfare Awards 2016 Winners. The Times of India. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
- ↑ Filmfare Awards 2017 Winners. The Times of India. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
- ↑ Filmfare Awards 2018 Winners. The Times of India. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
- ↑ Filmfare Awards 2019 Winners. The Times of India. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
- ↑ Filmfare Awards 2020 Winners. The Times of India. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
- ↑ Filmfare Awards 2021 Winners. The Times of India. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
- ↑ Filmfare Awards 2022 Winners. The Times of India. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
- ↑ Filmfare Awards 2023 Winners. The Times of India. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
- ↑ Filmfare Awards 2024 Winners. The Times of India. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
- ↑ Winners of the 70th Hyundai Filmfare Awards 2025 With Gujarat Tourism: Full List Out(12 October 2025). Retrieved 12 October 2025.
External links
Template:FilmfareAwardBestFemaleSinger Template:Filmfare Awards