The Filmfare Award for Best Lyricist is an award in India given by the Filmfare magazine since 1959 as a part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Hindi films.
Superlatives
SuperlativeLyricistMost awardsGulzar13 (from 35 nominations) Most nominationsAnand Bakshi41 (resulted in 4 wins)Most nominations in a single yearJaved Akhtar 5 Most nominations without ever winning a single awardAnjaan6
Gulzar holds the record for the most wins in this category, with 13 awards, followed by Javed Akhtar with 8, and Anand Bakshi and Amitabh Bhattacharya with 4. Five lyricists have won the award three times each: Shakeel Badayuni, Shailendra, Sameer, Prasoon Joshi, and Irshad Kamil. Shakeel Badayuni holds the record for the most consecutive wins, having received the award in three successive years (1961–1963). In 2005, Javed Akhtar became the only lyricist to receive all five nominations in a single year, ultimately winning for the song "Tere Liye" from Veer-Zaara. This set the record for the most nominations by a lyricist in a single year, surpassing Anand Bakshi, who had received four of the five nominations in 1981. Anand Bakshi was nominated for 13 consecutive years, from 1970 to 1982, accumulating a total of 23 nominations. Despite his consistent presence, he secured only two wins during this period. In 1981, all four of his nominations lost to Gulzar, and in 1998, all three of his nominations lost to Javed Akhtar. Shailendra was the first recipient of the award in 1959. The 1960s were dominated by Shakeel Badayuni, who won three times. Verma Malik received two awards in the 1970s. Gulzar was the most awarded lyricist in the 1980s, with four wins. In the 1990s, Sameer and Javed Akhtar won three times each. Javed Akhtar continued his dominance in the 2000s with five wins. In the 2010s, Irshad Kamil and Gulzar both secured three awards each. As of 2022, only five women have been nominated for the Best Lyricist award. The first female nominee was Preeti Sagar in 1978, for the song "Mero Gaam Katha Parey" from Manthan. Rashmi Singh became the first woman to win the award, in 2015, for "Muskurane Ki Wajah" from CityLights. Kausar Munir became the second female lyricist to win, for the song "Lehra Do" from 83 in 2022. She is also the only female lyricist to receive multiple nominations, including multiple nominations in a single year. Of the total nine nominations ever received by female lyricists, five belong to Munir. Other female nominees include Rani Malik, nominated in 1991 for "Dheere Dheere" from Aashiqui, and Anvita Dutt, nominated in 2016 for "Gulaabo" from Shaandaar.
Multiple wins +WinsRecipient13Gulzar8Javed Akhtar4Anand Bakshi, Amitabh Bhattacharya3Shakeel Badayuni, Shailendra, Sameer, Prasoon Joshi, Irshad Kamil2Hasrat Jaipuri, Verma Malik, Gulshan Kumar Mehta, Sahir Ludhianvi, Santosh Anand
Multiple nominations WinsRecipient41Anand Bakshi36Gulzar27Javed Akhtar17Sameer14Amitabh Bhattacharya9Sahir Ludhianvi, Irshad Kamil8Majrooh Sultanpuri7Prasoon Joshi6Shakeel Badayuni, Shailendra, Hasrat Jaipuri, Anjaan5Santosh Anand, Indeevar, Kausar Munir4Hasan Kamal, Mehboob, Swanand Kirkire3Neeraj, Gulshan Kumar Mehta, Dev Kohli, Niranjan Iyengar, Vishal Dadlani2Verma Malik, Saawan Kumar Tak, Prakash Mehra, Ravindra Jain, Sudhakar Sharma, Faaiz Anwar
Winners and nominees 1950s YearPhotos of winnersLyricistSongFilmRef.1959 (6th)Shailendra †"Yeh Mera Deewanapan Hain"YahudiSahir Ludhianvi"Aurat Ne Janam Diya"SadhnaShailendra"Meri Jaan"Yahudi
1960s YearPhotos of winnersLyricistSongFilmRef.1960 (7th)Shailendra †"Sab Kuchh Seekha Hum Ne"AnariMajrooh Sultanpuri"Jalte Hain Jiske Liye"SujataSahir Ludhianvi"Tu Hindu Banega"Dhool Ka Phool1961 (8th)Shakeel Badayuni †"Chaudhvin Ka Chand"Chaudhvin Ka ChandShailendra"Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai"Dil Apna Aur Preet ParaiShakeel Badayuni"Pyar Kiya To Darna Kiya"Mughal-e-Azam1962 (9th)Shakeel Badayuni †"Husn Wale Tera"GharanaHasrat Jaipuri"Teri Pyari Pyari Surat"SasuralShailendra"Hothon Pe Sacchai"Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai1963 (10th)Shakeel Badayuni †"Kahin Deep Jale"Bees Saal BaadHasrat Jaipuri"Ae Gulbadan"ProfessorRaja Mehdi Ali Khan"Aapki Nazrone"Anpadh1964 (11th)Sahir Ludhianvi †"Jo Waada Kiya"Taj MahalSahir Ludhianvi"Chalo Ek Bar Phir Se"GumrahShakeel Badayuni"Mere Mehboob Tujhe Meri"Mere Mehboob1965 (12th)Majrooh Sultanpuri †"Chahunga Main Tujhe"DostiBharat Vyas"Jyot Se Jyot Jagate Chalo"Sant GyaneshwarShailendra"Dost Dost Na Raha"Sangam1966 (13th)Rajendra Krishan †"Tumhi Mere Mandir"KhandanHasrat Jaipuri"Aji Rooth Kar Ab Kahan"ArzooIndeevar"Ek Tu Na Mila"Himalay Ki God Mein1967 (14th)Hasrat Jaipuri †"Baharon Phool Barsao"SurajShailendra"Sajan Re Jhoot"Teesri KasamShakeel Badayuni"Naseeb Me Jiske"Do Badan1968 (15th)Gulshan Kumar Mehta †"Mere Desh Ki Dharti"UpkarAnand Bakshi"Sawan Ka Mahina"MilanSahir Ludhianvi"Neele Gagan Ke Tale"Hamraaz1969 (16th)Shailendra †"Main Gaoon Tum"BrahmachariHasrat Jaipuri"Dil Ke Jharoke Mein"BrahmachariSahir Ludhianvi"Milti Hai Zindagi Mein"Ankhen
1970s YearPhotos of winnersLyricistSongFilmRef.1970 (17th)Neeraj †"Kaal Ka Pahiya"Chanda Aur BijliAnand Bakshi"Kora Kagaz Tha"Aradhana"Badi Mastani Hai"Jeene Ki Raah1971 (18th)–Verma Malik †"Sabse Bada Nadaan"PehchanAnand Bakshi"Bindiya Chamkegi"Do RaasteNeeraj"Bas Yehi Apradh"Pehchan1972 (19th)Hasrat Jaipuri †"Zindagi Ek Safar Hai Suhana"AndazAnand Bakshi"Na Koi Umang Hai"Kati PatangNeeraj"Ae Bhai Zara Dekh Ke Chalo"Mera Naam Joker1973 (20th)–Verma Malik †"Jai Bolo Be-Imaan Ki"Be-ImaanAnand Bakshi"Chingari Koi Bhadke"Amar PremSantosh Anand"Ek Pyaar Ka Nagma Hain"Shor1974 (21st)Gulshan Kumar Mehta †"Yaari Hai Imaan Mera"ZanjeerAnand Bakshi"Hum Tum Ek Kamre Mein Band Ho"Bobby"Main Shayar To Nahin"Indeevar"Samjhauta Ghamose Kar Lo"SamjhautaVitthalbhai Patel"Jhooth Bole Kauwa Kaate"Bobby1975 (22nd)–Santosh Anand †"Main Na Bhooloonga"Roti Kapada Aur MakaanAnand Bakshi"Gaadi Bula Rahi Hai"DostIndeevar"Behnane Bhai Ki Kalai"Resham Ki DoriM. G. Hashmat"Mera Jeevan Kora Kagaz"Kora KagazSantosh Anand"Aur Nahi Bus Aur Nahin"Roti Kapda Aur Makaan1976 (23rd)Indeevar †"Dil Aisa Kisi"AmanushAnand Bakshi"Aayegi Zaroor Chiththi"Dulhan"Mehbooba O Mehbooba"SholayGulzar"Tere Bina Zindagi Se"AandhiVishweshwar Sharma"Chal Sanyasi Mandir Mein"Sanyasi1977 (24th)Sahir Ludhianvi †"Kabhi Kabhie Mere Dil Mein"Kabhi KabhieAnand Bakshi"Mere Naina Sawan Bhadon"MehboobaGulzar"Dil Dhoondta Hai"MausamMajrooh Sultanpuri"Ek Din Bik Jaayega"Dharam KaramSahir Ludhianvi"Main Pal Do Pal Ka Shayar"Kabhi Kabhie1978 (25th)Gulzar †"Do Deewaane Sheher Mein"GharaondaAnand Bakshi"Parda Hai Parda"Amar Akbar AnthonyGulzar"Naam Gum Jaayega"KinaraMajrooh Sultanpuri"Kya Hua Tera Waada"Hum Kisise Kum NaheenPreeti Sagar"Mera Gaon Kadhapane"Manthan1979 (26th)Anand Bakshi †"Aadmi Musafir Hai"ApnapanAnand Bakshi"Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki"Main Tulsi Tere Aangan KiAnjaan"Khaike Paan Banaraswala" DonPandit Narendra Sharma"Satyam Shivam Sundaram"Satyam Shivam SundaramRavindra Jain"Ankhiyon Ke Jharokhon Se"Ankhiyon Ke Jharokhon Se
1980s YearPhotos of winnersLyricistSongFilmRef.1980 (27th)Gulzar †"Aanewala Pal"Gol MaalAnand Bakshi"Saawan Ke Jhoole Pade"Jurmana"Dafliwale"SargamJan Nisar Akhtar"Aaja Re Mere Dilbar Aaja"NoorieSahir Ludhianvi"Dil Ke Tukde Tukde Kar Ke"Dada1981 (28th)Gulzar †"Hazaar Raahen Mud Ke Dekhi"Thodisi BewafaiiAnand Bakshi"Dard-e-Dil"Karz"Om Shanti Om""Salaamat Rahe Dostana Hamara"Dostana"Shisha Ho Ya Dil Ho"Aasha1982 (29th)Anand Bakshi †"Tere Mere Beech Mein"Ek Duuje Ke Liye Anand Bakshi"Solah Baras Ki Bali Umar"Ek Duuje Ke Liye"Yaad Aa Rahi Hai"Love StoryGulzar"Jahaan Pe Savera"BaseraaSantosh Anand"Zindagi Ki Naa Toote"Kranti1983 (30th)–Santosh Anand †"Mohabbat Hai Kya Cheez"Prem RogAmir Qazalbash"Meri Kismat"Prem RogAnjaan & Prakash Mehra"Pag Ghungroo Baandh"Namak HalaalHasan Kamal"Dil Ke Armaan"NikaahHasan Kamal – "Dil Ki Yeh Arzoo Thi" from Nikaah1984 (31st)Gulzar †"Tujhse Naraaz Nahi Zindagi"MasoomAnand Bakshi"Jab Hum Jawaan Honge"BetaabGulshan Kumar Mehta"Hume Aur Jeene Ki"Agar Tum Na HoteSaawan Kumar Tak"Shayad Meri Shaadi Ka Khayal"Souten"Zindagi Pyaar Ka Geet Hai"1985 (32nd)–Hasan Kamal †"Aaj Ki Awaaz"Aaj Ki AwaazAnand Bakshi"Sohni Chenab Di"Sohni MahiwalAnjaan"Manzilein Apni Jagah Hain"SharaabiAnjaan and Prakash Mehra"Intehaa Ho Gayi"Indeevar"Pyaar Ka Tohfa Tera"Tohfa1986 (33rd)–Vasant Dev †"Mann Kyon Behka"UtsavAnand Bakshi"Zindagi Har Kadam"Meri JungAnjaan"Yaar Bina Chain Kahaan Re"SaahebHasan Kamal"Bahut Der Se"TawaifHasrat Jaipuri"Sun Sahiba Sun"Ram Teri Ganga MailiJaved Akhtar"Saagar Kinare"Saagar1987NO CEREMONY HELD1988NO CEREMONY HELD1989 (34th)Gulzar †"Mera Kuchh Saamaan"IjaazatJaved Akhtar"Ek Do Teen" TezaabMajrooh Sultanpuri"Papa Kehte Hain"Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak
1990s YearPhotos of winnersLyricistSongFilmRef.1990 (35th)–Asad Bhopali †"Dil Deewana"Maine Pyar KiyaAnand Bakshi"Lagi Aaj Sawan"ChandniDev Kohli"Aate Jaate Hanste Gaate"Maine Pyar Kiya1991 (36th)Sameer †"Nazar Ke Saamne"AashiquiRani Malik"Dheere Dheere Se"AashiquiSameer"Naa Jaane Kahan Dil Kho Gaya"Dil1992 (37th)Gulzar †"Yaara Seeli Seeli"Lekin...Anand Bakshi"Kabhi Main Kahoon"LamheFaaiz Anwar"Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin"Dil Hai Ke Manta NahinRavindra Jain"Main Hoon Khushrang Henna"HennaSameer"Mera Dil Bhi"Saajan1993 (38th)Sameer †"Teri Umeed Tera Intezar Karte Hai"DeewanaMajrooh Sultanpuri"Woh Sikander Hi Doston"Jo Jeeta Wohi SikandarSameer"Aisi Deewangi"Deewana1994 (39th)Sameer †"Ghunghat Ki Aad Se"Hum Hain Rahi Pyar KeAnand Bakshi"Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai"Khalnayak"Jaadu Teri Nazar"DarrDev Kohli"Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankhen"BaazigarGulzar"Dil Hum Hum"Rudaali1995 (40th)Javed Akhtar †"Ek Ladki Ko Dekha"1942: A Love StoryAnand Bakshi"Tu Cheez Badi Mast Mast"MohraDev Kohli"Hum Aapke Hain Koun"Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!Sameer"Ole Ole"Yeh Dillagi1996 (41st)Anand Bakshi †"Tujhe Dekha To"Dilwale Dulhania Le JayengeAnand Bakshi"Ho Gaya Hai Tujhko To Pyar Sajna"Dilwale Dulhania Le JayengeMajrooh Sultanpuri"Raja Ko Rani Se Pyar Ho Gaya"Akele Hum Akele TumMehboob"Kya Kare"Rangeela"Tanha Tanha"1997 (42nd)Javed Akhtar †"Ghar Se Nikalte Hi"Papa Kehte HaiGulzar"Chappa Chappa Charkha Chale"MaachisMajrooh Sultanpuri"Aaj Main Upar"Khamoshi: The MusicalNida Fazli"Jeevan Kya Hai"Is Raat Ki Subah NahinSameer"Pardesi Pardesi"Raja Hindustani1998 (43rd)Javed Akhtar †"Sandese Aate Hai"BorderAnand Bakshi"Bholi Si Surat"Dil To Pagal Hai"I Love My India"Pardes"Zara Tasveer Se Tu"Javed Akhtar"Chand Taare"Yes Boss1999 (44th)Gulzar †"Chaiyya Chaiyya"Dil Se..Gulzar"Ae Ajnabi"Dil Se..Javed Akhtar"Mere Mehboob Mere Sanam"DuplicateSameer"Kuch Kuch Hota Hai"Kuch Kuch Hota Hai"Ladki Badi Anjaani Hai"
2000s YearPhotos of winnersLyricistSongFilmRef.2000 (45th)Anand Bakshi †"Ishq Bina"TaalAnand Bakshi"Taal Se Taal Mila"TaalIsrar Ansari"Zindagi Maut Na Ban Jaaye"SarfaroshMehboob"Aankhon Ki Gustakhiyan"Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam"Tadap Tadap Ke"2001 (46th)Javed Akhtar †"Panchchi Nadiyaan"RefugeeAnand Bakshi"Humko Humise Churaalo"MohabbateinGulzar"Aaja Mahiya"FizaIbrahim Ashk"Naa Tum Jaano Naa Hum"Kaho Naa... Pyaar HaiSameer"Tum Dil Ki Dhadkan Mein"Dhadkan2002 (47th)Javed Akhtar †"Mitwa"LagaanAnand Bakshi"Udja Kale Kawan"Gadar: Ek Prem KathaAnil Pandey"Suraj Hua Maddham"Kabhi Khushi Kabhie GhamJaved Akhtar"Radha Kaise Naa Jale"LagaanSameer"Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham"Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham2003 (48th)Gulzar †"Saathiya"SaathiyaNusrat Badr"Dola Re"DevdasSameer"Aapke Pyaar Mein"RaazSudhakar Sharma"Sanam Mere Humraaz"Humraaz"Tumne Zindagi Mein Aake"2004 (49th)Javed Akhtar †"Kal Ho Naa Ho"Kal Ho Naa HoJaved Akhtar"Tauba Tumhare Yeh Ishaare"Chalte Chalte"Ek Saathi Aur Bhi Tha"LOC KargilSameer"Kisi Se Tum Pyaar Karo"Andaaz"Tere Naam"Tere Naam2005 (50th)Javed Akhtar †"Tere Liye"Veer-ZaaraJaved Akhtar"Aisa Des Hai Mera"Veer-Zaara"Main Hoon Na"Main Hoon Na"Main Yahaan Hoon"Veer-Zaara"Yeh Taara Woh Taara"Swades2006