| Awarded For: | Best Performance by a playback singer female |
| Presenter: | Filmfare |
| Country: | India |
| Year: | Lata Mangeshkar, "Aaja Re Pardesi" Madhumati (1959) |
| Holder: | Shilpa Rao, "Besharam Rang" Pathaan (2024) |
| Website: | Filmfare Awards |
The Filmfare Best Female Playback Award is given by Filmfare as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Hindi films, to recognise a female playback singer who has delivered an outstanding performance in a film song.
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.
| Superlative | Artist | Record | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most wins | Asha Bhosle Alka Yagnik | 7 | |
| Most nominations | Alka Yagnik | 37 | |
| 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 | Usha Uthup | 64 age | |
| Youngest winner | Nazia Hassan | 15 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.
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, and Alka Yagnik had two wins. 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.
| 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 |
| Artist | Number of Wins | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Asha Bhosle | 4 | 1972-1975 |
| Anuradha Paudwal | 3 | 1991-1993 |
| Kavita Krishnamurthy | 1995-1997 | |
| Alka Yagnik | 2000-2002 |
| Singer | Number of nominations | Number of wins | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alka Yagnik | 37 | 7 | |
| Shreya Ghoshal | 29 | 6 | |
| Asha Bhosle | 20 | 7 | |
| Lata Mangeshkar | 19 | 4 | |
| Kavita Krishnamurthy | 18 | ||
| Sunidhi Chauhan | 17 | 2 | |
| Anuradha Paudwal | 11 | 4 | |
| Alisha Chinai | 6 | 1 | |
| Shilpa Rao | 6 | 2 |
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.
| Indicates the winner |
| Year | Singer | Song | Film | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 (7th) | Award Won by a Male Singer | |||
| "Bhaiya Mere" | Chhoti Bahen | [4] [5] | ||
| 1961 (8th) | Award Won by a Male Singer | |||
| "Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai" | Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai | [6] [7] | ||
| "Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya" | Mughal-e-Azam | |||
| 1962 (9th) | Award Won by a Male Singer | |||
| 1963 (10th) | "Kahin Deep Jale Kahin Dil" | Bees Saal Baad | [8] [9] | |
| Lata Mangeshkar | "Aap Ki Nazaron Ne Samjha" | Anpadh | ||
| 1964 (11th) | Award Won by a Male Singer | |||
| "Jo Vada Kiya" | Taj Mahal | [10] [11] | ||
| 1965 (12th) | Award Won by a Male Singer | |||
| "Jyot Se Jyot" | Sant Gyaneshwar | [12] [13] | ||
| 1966 (13th) | "Tumhi Mere Mandir" | Khandan | [14] [15] | |
| Lata Mangeshkar | "Ek Tu Na Mila" | Himalay Ki God Mein | ||
| 1967 (14th) | Award Won by a Male Singer | |||
| "Lo Aagai Unki Yaad" | Do Badan | |||
| "Aaj Phir Jeene Ki Tamanna Hai" | Guide | [16] [17] | ||
| 1968 (15th) | "Garibon Ki Suno" | Dus Lakh | [18] [19] | |
| "Baharo Mera Jeevan Bhi Sawaro" | Aakhri Khat | |||
| "Sawan Ka Mahina" | Milan | |||
| 1969 (16th) | "Parde Men Rahne Do" | Shikar | [20] [21] | |
| "Milti Hai Zindagi Men" | Ankhen | |||
| "Tumhari Bhi Jai Jai" | Diwana |
| Year | Singer | Song | Film | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 (17th) | "Aap Mujhe Achhe Lagne Lage" | Jeene Ki Raah | [22] [23] | |
| Lata Mangeshkar | "Kaise Rahun Chup" | Intaqam | ||
| "Tere Ang Ka Rang Hai Angoori" | Chanda Aur Bijli | |||
| 1971 (18th) | "Baat Zara Hai Apas Ki" | Jahan Pyar Miley | [24] [25] | |
| "Bindiya Chamke Gi" | Do Raaste | |||
| "Babul Pyare" | Johny Mera Naam | |||
| 1972 (19th) | "Piya Tu Ab To Aja" | Caravan | [26] [27] | |
| Asha Bhosle | "Zindagi Ek Safar Hai" | Andaz | ||
| "Aapke Peeche" | Ek Nari Ek Brahmachari | |||
| 1973 (20th) | "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) | "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 | ||
| "Raat Piya Ke Sang Jagi Re Sakhi" | Prem Parbat | |||
| 1975 (22nd) | "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 | |||
| "Behna Ne Bhai Ki Kalai Se Pyar Bandha Hai" | Resham Ki Dori | |||
| 1976 (23rd) | "Tu Hi Sagar Tu Hi Kinara" | Sankalp | [34] [35] | |
| "Kal Ke Apne" | Amanush | |||
| "Sapna Mera Toot Gaya" | Khel Khel Mein | |||
| "My Heart Is Beating" | Julie | |||
| "Main To Arti Utaroon" | Jai Santoshi Maa | |||
| 1977 (24th) | "Tu Jo Mere Sur Mein" | Chitchor | [36] [37] | |
| "I Love You, You Love Me" | Barood | |||
| Hemlata | "Sun Ke Teri Pukar" | Fakira | ||
| "Bandhi Re Kahe Preet" | Sankoch | |||
| 1978 (25th) | "Mero Gaam Katha Parey" | Manthan | [38] [39] | |
| "Layi Kahan Hai Zindagi" | Taxi-Taxie | |||
| "O Mungda, Mungda Main Gud Ki Dali" | Inkaar | |||
| Poornima | "Kya Hua Tera Wada" | Hum Kisise Kum Naheen | ||
| 1979 (26th) | "Yeh Mera Dil Yaar Ka Diwana" | Don | [40] [41] | |
| Asha Bhosle | "O Saathi Re" | Muqaddar Ka Sikandar | ||
| "Ankhiyon Ke Jharokhon Se" | Ankhiyon Ke Jharokhon Se | |||
| "Saiyan Rooth Gaye" | Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki | |||
| "One Two Cha Cha Cha" | Shalimar |
| Year | Singer | Song | Film | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 (27th) | "Mere To Giridhar Gopal" | Meera | [42] [43] | |
| "Aap Ki Yaad Aati Rahi Raat Bhar" | Gaman | |||
| "Megha, O Re Megha" | Sunayana | |||
| "Ham Se Nazar To Milao" | Ikraar | |||
| "Ayri Main To Prem Diwani" | Meera | |||
| 1981 (28th) | "Aap Jaisa Koi" | Qurbani | [44] [45] | |
| "Pehchan To Thi" | Griha Pravesh | |||
| "Too Is Tarah Se" | Aap To Aise Na The | |||
| Kanchan | "Laila O Laila" | Qurbani | ||
| "Hari Om Hari" | Pyaara Dushman | |||
| 1982 (29th) | "Hamen Tumse Pyar Kitna" | Kudrat | [46] [47] | |
| "Mere Angne Men" | Laawaris | |||
| "Mohabbat Rang Layegi" | Poonam | |||
| "Mere Jaesi Haseena" | Armaan | |||
| "Ramba Ho-Ho-Ho Samba Ho-Ho-Ho" | ||||
| 1983 (30th) | "Dil Ke Arman Ansuon Men Bah Gaye" | Nikaah | [48] [49] | |
| "Maine Ek Geet Likha Hai" | Yeh Nazdeekiyan | |||
| "Boom Boom" | Star | |||
| Salma Agha | "Dil Ki Yeh Arzoo Thi" | Nikaah | ||
| "Faza Bhi Hai Jawan" | ||||
| 1984 (31st) | "Do Naina Aur Ek Kahani" | Masoom | [50] [51] | |
| "Too Mera Hero Hai" | Hero | |||
| "Aa Ja Ke Teri Raah Men Palke Bicha" | Lal Chunariya | |||
| 1985 (32nd) | "Sohni Chenab De Kinare" | Sohni Mahiwal | [52] [53] | |
| "Dance Dance" | Kasam Paida Karne Wale Ki | |||
| 1986 (33rd) | "Mere Man Baaja Mirdang Manjira Khanke Re Ang Ang" | Utsav | [54] [55] | |
| "Tumse Milkar Na Jane" | Pyar Jhukta Nahin | |||
| "Yaar Bina Chen Kahan Ray" | Saaheb | |||
| 1987 | NO CEREMONY | |||
| 1988 | NO CEREMONY | |||
| 1989 (34th) | "Ek Do Teen Char" | Tezaab | [56] [57] | |
| "Jeena Nahi" | Tezaab | |||
| "Main Teri Hoon Janam" | Khoon Bhari Maang | |||
| Year | Photos of winners | Singer | Song | Film | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 (35th) | Sapna Mukherjee | "Tirchhi Topiwale" | Tridev | [58] [59] | |
| Alisha Chinai | "Raat Bhar" | Tridev | |||
| Anuradha Paudwal | "Bekhabar Bewafa" | Ram Lakhan | |||
| "Tera Naam Liya" | |||||
| Kavita Krishnamurthy | "Na Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hain" | ChaalBaaz | |||
| 1991 (36th) | Anuradha Paudwal | "Nazar Ke Saamne" | Aashiqui | [60] [61] | |
| Anuradha Paudwal | "Mujhe Neend Na Aaye" | Dil | |||
| Kavita Krishnamurthy | "Chandni Raat Hain" | ||||
| 1992 (37th) | Anuradha Paudwal | "Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin" | Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin | [62] [63] | |
| Alka Yagnik | "Dekha Hai Pehli Baar" | Saajan | |||
| Anuradha Paudwal | "Bahut Pyar Karte Hain" | ||||
| Kavita Krishnamurthy | "Saudagar Sauda Kar" | Saudagar | |||
| 1993 (38th) | Anuradha Paudwal | "Dhak Dhak Karne Laga" | Beta | [64] [65] | |
| Alka Yagnik | "Aisi Deewangi" | Deewana | |||
| Kavita Krishnamurthy | "Main Tujhe Kabool" | Khuda Gawah | |||
| 1994 (39th) | | Alka Yagnik and Ila Arun | "Choli Ke Peechhe" | Khalnayak | [66] [67] |
| Alka Yagnik | "Baazigar O Baazigar" | Baazigar | |||
| "Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke" | Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke | ||||
| "Paalki Pe Hoke Sawaar" | Khalnayak | ||||
| 1995 (40th) | Kavita Krishnamurthy | "Pyaar Hua Chupke Se" | [68] [69] | ||
| Alisha Chinai | "Ruk Ruk" | Vijaypath | |||
| Alka Yagnik | "Chura Ke Dil Mera" | Main Khiladi Tu Anari | |||
| "Raah Mein" | Vijaypath | ||||
| Kavita Krishnamurthy | "Tu Cheez Badi Mast Mast" | Mohra | |||
| 1996 (41st) | Kavita Krishnamurthy | "Mera Piya Ghar Aaya" | Yaraana | [70] [71] | |
| Alka Yagnik | "Raja Ko Rani Se Pyar" | Akele Hum Akele Tum | |||
| "Aankhiyan Milao" | Raja | ||||
| Kavita Krishnamurthy | "Pyaar Ye Jaane" | Rangeela | |||
| "Mangta Hai Kya" | |||||
| 1997 (42nd) | Kavita Krishnamurthy | "Aaj Main Upar" | [72] | ||
| Alka Yagnik | "Baahon Ke Darmiyan" | Khamoshi: The Musical | |||
| "Pardesi Pardesi" | Raja Hindustani | ||||
| Kavita Krishnamurthy | "O Yaara Dil Lagana" | Agni Sakshi | |||
| 1998 (43rd) | Alka Yagnik | "Meri Mehbooba" | Pardes | ||
| Alka Yagnik | "Mere Khwaabon Mein Tu" | ||||
| K. S. Chithra | "Paayale Chhun Mun" | Virasat | |||
| Kavita Krishnamurthy | "Dhol Bajne Laga" | ||||
| "I Love My India" | Pardes | ||||
| 1999 (44th) | Jaspinder Narula | "Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha" | Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha | ||
| Alka Yagnik | "Chamma Chamma" | China Gate | |||
| "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai" | Kuch Kuch Hota Hai | ||||
| "Ladki Badi Anjaani Hai" | |||||
| Sanjivani | "Chori Chori Jab Nazrein Mili" | Kareeb | |||
| Sapna Awasthi | "Chaiyya Chaiyya" | Dil Se.. | |||