The Filmfare Awards are among the oldest film awards in India. They were first presented in 1954 by Filmfare magazine, then part of The Times of India group. Unlike the National Film Awards, which are given by the government, Filmfare is a private award.
The first awards
At the first ceremony in 1954, Do Bigha Zamin won Best Film. Dilip Kumar won Best Actor for Daag and Meena Kumari won Best Actress for Baiju Bawra.
The Black Lady
The trophy, a statuette of a woman with raised arms, is popularly called the Black Lady. It is one of the most recognised trophies in Indian cinema.
Categories
- Popular awards, decided through a mix of jury and audience voting as per the magazine’s process.
- Critics’ awards for Best Film, Best Actor and Best Actress.
- Technical awards for music, editing, cinematography and more.
- Lifetime Achievement Award.
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Records
Dilip Kumar and Shah Rukh Khan share the record for most Best Actor wins, with eight each. Among actresses, Nutan and Kajol hold the record with five Best Actress wins each.
Filmfare Awards South
Filmfare also gives separate awards for Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada cinema, known as the Filmfare Awards South.
How winners are chosen
Filmfare explains its process each year. Nominations are usually decided by a jury and audience votes, and results are announced at a televised ceremony.
Frequently asked questions
How are the Filmfare Awards different from the National Film Awards?
The National Film Awards are given by the Government of India for films in all languages, while Filmfare is a private award focused on Hindi cinema, with a separate South edition.
Who has won the most Filmfare awards overall?
Records change with each edition. Filmfare publishes its list of record holders on its website.
When is the ceremony held?
Usually early in the year for films released in the previous year, but dates vary. Check Filmfare’s official announcements.
Can the public vote?
Filmfare has used audience votes for some popular categories in different years. Its process for each edition is explained by the magazine.
Bottom line
The Filmfare Awards are a key part of Hindi cinema’s history, and the Black Lady remains a coveted prize for stars and technicians.
Source / स्रोत: Filmfare, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
