Filmfare Award for Best Music Director

The Filmfare Award for Best Music Director is given by the Filmfare magazine as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Hindi films, to the best composer/arranger of a soundtrack. This category was first presented in 1954. Naushad Ali was the first recipient of this award for his song "Tu Ganga Ki Mauj" from the film Baiju Bawra. For the first two years, it was awarded to the composer for a particular song and not the entire album. From 1956 onwards, awards in this category have been given for the entire soundtrack. From 2017, the name of this was category changed from best music direction to music album.

• The top 5 Filmfare Award for Best Music Director winner's hold in total 36 Awards. A. R. Rahman leads the winners with 10 awards, followed by the music director duo of Shankar–Jaikishan, who have 9,Laxmikant–Pyarelal with 7 & Pritam with 6 & Nadeem–Shravan with 4.
• Laxmikant Pyarelal and Pritam has the most nominations with 25, followed by Shankar–Jaikishan with 20, A. R. Rahman with 18, and R. D. Burman with 17.
• Shankar–Jaikishan holds the record for the highest number of consecutive-year nominations (9), having been nominated for the award every year from 1959 till 1967, winning the award four times from 10 total nominations.
• Pritam received six consecutive nominations between 2013 and 2018, and won in 2013, 2017 and 2018.
• Pritam holds the record for the highest number of nominations in a single year, with 4 in 2024, winning the award for Animal (2023) jointly with Vishal Mishra, Harshavardhan Rameshwar, Shreyas Puranik, Ashim Kemson, Bhupinder Babbal and Jaani, while also being nominated solely for Dunki, Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, and Tu Jhoothi Main Makkar. There have been three instances when a music director (or duo) were nominated thrice in the same year – Bappi Lahiri in 1985, Laxmikant Pyarelal in 1986 and A. R. Rahman in 2009.
• Laxmikant Pyarelal and A. R. Rahman have the distinction of winning the award four times in a row between 1978 and 1981 and between 2007 and 2010, respectively. Those who have won the award thrice in a row are Shankar–Jaikishan (1971–1973) and Nadeem Shravan (1991–1993).
• Usha Khanna, Sneha Khanwalkar, Parampara Thakur and Jasleen Royal are the only four women to have ever been nominated for this award. They were nominated for their work in the Souten (1983), Gangs of Wasseypur (2012), Kabir Singh (2020) and Shershaah (2022) respectively. Parampara Thakur won the award, becoming the first woman to do so. In 2022, Jasleen Royal became the second woman to win this.
• Jatin–Lalit has never won this award after getting 12 nominations from (1992–2006), followed by Vishal-Shekhar who have yet to win the award after getting 11 nominations from (2005–2024).
• Anu Malik won a Special Award in 2001 for the film Refugee.

Multiple music directors (or duo/trio) have received multiple Best Music Director nominations.

In the list below, the winner of the award for each year is shown first, followed by the other nominees. The films are listed by the years when the award was presented. The announcing of nominations became regular after 1956.

Year	Photos of winners	Music Director	Film
1954 (1st)		Naushad Ali ‡	Baiju Bawra (for the song "Tu Ganga Ki Mauj")
1955 (2nd)		S. D. Burman ‡	Taxi Driver (for the song "Jaaye To Jaaye Kahan")
1956 (3rd)		Hemant Kumar ‡	Nagin
		C. Ramchandra	Azaad
		Naushad Ali	Uran Khatola
1957 (4th)		Shankar–Jaikishan ‡	Chori Chori
		O. P. Nayyar	C.I.D.
1958 (5th)		O. P. Nayyar ‡	Naya Daur
		C. Ramchandra	Asha
1959 (6th)		Salil Chowdhury ‡	Madhumati
		O. P. Nayyar	Phagun
		Shankar–Jaikishan	Yahudi

Year	Photos of winners	Music Director	Film
1960 (7th)		Shankar–Jaikishan ‡	Anari
		S. D. Burman	Sujata
		Shankar–Jaikishan	Chhoti Bahen
1961 (8th)		Shankar–Jaikishan ‡	Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai
		Naushad Ali	Mughal–e–Azam
		Ravi	Chaudhvin Ka Chand
1962 (9th)	–	Ravi ‡	Gharana
		Naushad Ali	Gunga Jumna
		Shankar–Jaikishan	Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai
1963 (10th)		Shankar–Jaikishan ‡	Professor
		Hemant Kumar	Bees Saal Baad
		Madan Mohan	Anpadh
1964 (11th)	–	Roshan ‡	Taj Mahal
		Naushad Ali	Mere Mehboob
		Shankar–Jaikishan	Dil Ek Mandir
1965 (12th)		Laxmikant–Pyarelal ‡	Dosti
		Madan Mohan	Woh Kaun Thi?
		Shankar–Jaikishan	Sangam
1966 (13th)	–	Ravi ‡	Khandan
		Kalyanji–Anandji	Himalaya Ki God Mein
		Shankar–Jaikishan	Arzoo
1967 (14th)		Shankar–Jaikishan ‡	Suraj
		Ravi	Do Badan
		S. D. Burman	Guide
1968 (15th)		Laxmikant–Pyarelal ‡	Milan
		Kalyanji–Anandji	Upkar
		Ravi	Hamraaz
1969 (16th)		Shankar–Jaikishan ‡	Brahmachari
		Ravi	Ankhen
		Shankar–Jaikishan	Diwana

Year	Photos of winners	Music Director	Film
1970 (17th)		Laxmikant–Pyarelal ‡	Jeene Ki Raah
		S. D. Burman	Aradhana
		Shankar–Jaikishan	Chanda Aur Bijli
1971 (18th)		Shankar–Jaikishan ‡	Pehchaan
		Laxmikant–Pyarelal	Do Raaste
		S. D. Burman	Talaash
1972 (19th)		Shankar–Jaikishan ‡	Mera Naam Joker
		R. D. Burman	Caravan
		Shankar–Jaikishan	Andaz
1973 (20th)		Shankar–Jaikishan ‡	Be–Imaan
		Ghulam Mohammed	Pakeezah
		Laxmikant–Pyarelal	Shor
		R. D. Burman	Amar Prem
1974 (21st)		S. D. Burman ‡	Abhimaan
		Kalyanji–Anandji	Zanjeer
		Laxmikant–Pyarelal	Bobby
			Daag
		R. D. Burman	Yaadon Ki Baaraat
1975 (22nd)	–	Kalyanji–Anandji ‡	Kora Kagaz
		Laxmikant–Pyarelal	Roti Kapda Aur Makaan
		R. D. Burman	Aap Ki Kasam
		S. D. Burman	Prem Nagar
		Shankar–Jaikishan	Resham Ki Dori
1976 (23rd)		Rajesh Roshan ‡	Julie
		Laxmikant–Pyarelal	Dulhan
		R. D. Burman	Khel Khel Mein
			Sholay
		Shankar–Jaikishan	Sanyasi
1977 (24th)		Khayyam ‡	Kabhi Kabhie
		Kalyanji–Anandji	Bairaag
		Madan Mohan	Mausam
		R. D. Burman	Mehbooba
		Ravindra Jain	Chitchor
1978 (25th)		Laxmikant–Pyarelal ‡	Amar Akbar Anthony
		Jaidev	Alaap
		R. D. Burman	Hum Kisise Kum Naheen
			Kinara
		Rajesh Roshan	Swami
1979 (26th)		Laxmikant–Pyarelal ‡	Satyam Shivam Sundaram
		Kalyanji–Anandji	Don
		R. D. Burman	Shalimar
		Rajesh Roshan	Des Pardes
		Ravindra Jain	Ankhiyon Ke Jharokhon Se

Year	Photos of winners	Music Director	Film
1980 (27th)		Laxmikant–Pyarelal ‡	Sargam
		Khayyam	Noorie
		Laxmikant–Pyarelal	Jaani Dushman
		Rajesh Roshan	Kaala Patthar
			Mr. Natwarlal
1981 (28th)		Laxmikant–Pyarelal ‡	Karz
		Kalyanji–Anandji	Qurbani
		Khayyam	Thodisi Bewafaii
		Laxmikant–Pyarelal	Aasha
		R. D. Burman	Shaan
1982 (29th)		Khayyam ‡	Umrao Jaan
		Bappi Lahiri	Armaan
		Laxmikant–Pyarelal	Ek Duuje Ke Liye
		R. D. Burman	Love Story
		Shiv–Hari	Silsila
1983 (30th)		R. D. Burman ‡	Sanam Teri Kasam
		Bappi Lahiri	Namak Halaal
		Khayyam	Bazaar
		Laxmikant–Pyarelal	Prem Rog
		Ravi	Nikaah
1984 (31st)		R. D. Burman ‡	Masoom
		Khayyam	Razia Sultan
		Laxmikant–Pyarelal	Hero
		R. D. Burman	Betaab
		Usha Khanna	Souten
1985 (32nd)		Bappi Lahiri ‡	Sharaabi
		Anu Malik	Sohni Mahiwal
		Bappi Lahiri	Kasam Paida Karne Wale Ki
			Tohfa
		R. D. Burman	Jawaani
1986 (33rd)		Ravindra Jain ‡	Ram Teri Ganga Maili
		Laxmikant–Pyarelal	Meri Jung
			Pyaar Jhukta Nahin
			Sur Sangham
		R. D. Burman	Saagar
1987	NO CEREMONY
1988	NO CEREMONY
1989 (34th)	–	Anand–Milind ‡	Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak
		Laxmikant–Pyarelal	Tezaab
		Rajesh Roshan	Khoon Bhari Maang

Year	Photos of winners	Music Director	Film
1990 (35th)	–	Raam Laxman ‡	Maine Pyar Kiya
		Laxmikant–Pyarelal	Ram Lakhan
		Shiv–Hari	Chandni
		Kalyanji–Anandji	Tridev
1991 (36th)	–	Nadeem–Shravan ‡	Aashiqui
		Anand–Milind	Baaghi
			Dil
1992 (37th)	–	Nadeem–Shravan ‡	Saajan
		Hridaynath Mangeshkar	Lekin...
		Laxmikant–Pyarelal	Saudagar
		Nadeem–Shravan	Phool Aur Kaante
1993 (38th)	–	Nadeem–Shravan ‡	Deewana
		Anand–Milind	Beta
		Jatin–Lalit	Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar
1994 (39th)		Anu Malik ‡	Baazigar
		Bhupen Hazarika	Rudaali
		Laxmikant–Pyarelal	Khalnayak
		Nadeem–Shravan	Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke
		Shiv–Hari	Darr
1995 (40th)		R. D. Burman (posthumous) ‡	1942: A Love Story
		Anu Malik	Main Khiladi Tu Anari
		Dilip Sen and Sameer Sen	Yeh Dillagi
		Raam Laxman	Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!
		Viju Shah	Mohra
1996 (41st)		A. R. Rahman ‡	Rangeela
		Anu Malik	Akele Hum Akele Tum
		Jatin–Lalit	Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge
		Nadeem–Shravan	Raja
		Rajesh Roshan	Karan Arjun
1997 (42nd)	–	Nadeem–Shravan ‡	Raja Hindustani
		Jatin–Lalit	Khamoshi
		Rajesh Roshan	Papa Kehte Hai
		Viju Shah	Tere Mere Sapne
		Vishal Bhardwaj	Maachis
1998 (43rd)	–	Uttam Singh ‡	Dil To Pagal Hai
		Anu Malik	Border
		Jatin–Lalit	Yes Boss
		Nadeem–Shravan	Pardes
		Viju Shah	Gupt
1999 (44th)		A. R. Rahman ‡	Dil Se..
		Anu Malik	Soldier
		Jatin–Lalit	Kuch Kuch Hota Hai
			Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha
		Viju Shah	Bade Miyan Chote Miyan

Year	Photos of winners	Music Director	Film
2000 (45th)		A. R. Rahman ‡	Taal
		Anu Malik	Biwi No.1
			Haseena Maan Jaayegi
		Ismail Darbar	Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam
		Jatin–Lalit	Sarfarosh
2001 (46th)		Rajesh Roshan ‡	Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai
		Anu Malik	Fiza
			Josh
			Refugee
		Jatin–Lalit	Mohabbatein
		Nadeem–Shravan	Dhadkan
2002 (47th)		A. R. Rahman ‡	Lagaan
		Anu Malik	Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai
		Jatin–Lalit, Sandesh Shandilya Aadesh Srivastav	Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham...
		Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy	Dil Chahta Hai
		Uttam Singh	Gadar: Ek Prem Katha
2003 (48th)		A. R. Rahman ‡	Saathiya
		Anand Raj Anand	Kaante
		Himesh Reshammiya	Humraaz
		Ismail Darbar	Devdas
		Nadeem–Shravan	Raaz
2004 (49th)		Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy ‡	Kal Ho Naa Ho
		Anu Malik	LOC Kargil
		Himesh Reshammiya	Tere Naam
		Jatin–Lalit, Aadesh Shrivastava	Chalte Chalte
		Rajesh Roshan	Koi... Mil Gaya
2005 (50th)		Anu Malik ‡	Main Hoon Na
		A. R. Rahman	Swades
		Anu Malik	Murder
		Jatin–Lalit	Hum Tum
		Pritam	Dhoom
		Madan Mohan (posthumous)	Veer–Zaara
2006 (51st)		Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy ‡	Bunty Aur Babli
		Adnan Sami	Lucky: No Time for Love
		Himesh Reshammiya	Aashiq Banaya Aapne
		Shantanu Moitra	Parineeta
		Vishal–Shekhar	Dus
2007 (52nd)		A. R. Rahman ‡	Rang De Basanti
		Himesh Reshammiya	Aksar
		Jatin–Lalit	Fanaa
		Pritam	Dhoom 2
		Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy	Don
			Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna
2008 (53rd)		A. R. Rahman ‡	Guru
		Vishal–Shekhar	Om Shanti Om
		Monty Sharma	Saawariya
		Pritam	Jab We Met
			Life in a... Metro
2009 (54th)		A. R. Rahman ‡	Jaane Tu... Ya Jaane Na
		A. R. Rahman	Ghajini
			Jodhaa Akbar
		Pritam	Race
		Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy	Rock On!!
		Vishal–Shekhar	Dostana

Year	Photos of winners	Music Director	Film
2010 (55th)		A. R. Rahman ‡	Delhi–6
		Amit Trivedi	Dev.D
		Pritam	Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani
			Love Aaj Kal
		Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy	Wake Up Sid
		Vishal Bhardwaj	Kaminey
2011 (56th)		Sajid–Wajid and Lalit Pandit ‡	Dabangg
		Pritam	Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai
		Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy	My Name Is Khan
		Vishal Bhardwaj	Ishqiya
		Vishal–Shekhar	Anjaana Anjaani
			I Hate Luv Storys
2012 (57th)		A. R. Rahman ‡	Rockstar
		Ram Sampath	Delhi Belly
		Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy	Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara
		Sohail Sen	Mere Brother Ki Dulhan
		Vishal–Shekhar	Ra.One
2013 (58th)		Pritam ‡	Barfi!
		Amit Trivedi	Ishaqzaade
		Pritam	Cocktail
		Sneha Khanwalkar	Gangs Of Wasseypur
		Vishal–Shekhar	Student Of The Year
2014 (59th)		Ankit Tiwari, Mithoon and Jeet Ganguly ‡	Aashiqui 2
		A. R. Rahman	Raanjhanaa
		Amit Trivedi	Lootera
		Pritam	Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani
		Sanjay Leela Bhansali	Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram–Leela
		Vishal–Shekhar	Chennai Express
2015 (60th)		Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy ‡	2 States
		Amit Trivedi	Queen
		Himesh Reshammiya, Meet Bros Anjjan, Yo Yo Honey Singh	Kick
		Mithoon, Ankit Tiwari, Soch	Ek Villain
		Pritam, Anupam Amod, Arko Pravo Mukherjee, Yo Yo Honey Singh, Mithoon	Yaariyan
2016 (61st)		Amaal Mallik, Ankit Tiwari and Meet Bros Anjjan ‡	Roy
		A. R. Rahman	Tamasha
		Anupam Roy	Piku
		Pritam	Dilwale
		Sanjay Leela Bhansali	Bajirao Mastani
		Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy	Dil Dhadakne Do
2017 (62nd)		Pritam ‡	Ae Dil Hai Mushkil
		Amaal Mallik, Badshah, Arko Pravo Mukherjee, Tanishk Bagchi, Benny Dayal, Nucleya	Kapoor & Sons
		Amit Trivedi	Udta Punjab
		Meet Bros, Amaal Mallik, Manj Musik, Ankit Tiwari	Baaghi
		Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy	Mirzya
		Vishal–Shekhar	Sultan
2018 (63rd)		Pritam ‡	Jagga Jasoos
		Amaal Mallik, Tanishk Bagchi, Akhil Sachdeva	Badrinath Ki Dulhania
		Amit Trivedi	Secret Superstar
		Arko Pravo Mukherjee, Tanishk Bagchi, Samira Koppikar, Sameer Uddin and Vayu	Bareilly Ki Barfi
		Mithoon, Tanishk Bagchi, Rishi Rich, Farhan Saeed, Rahul Mishra, Ami Mishra	Half Girlfriend
		Pritam	Jab Harry Met Sejal
2019 (64th)		Sanjay Leela Bhansali ‡	Padmaavat
		Ajay–Atul	Dhadak
			Zero
		Amaal Malik, Rochak Kohli, Yo Yo Honey Singh, Guru Randhawa, Zack Knight, Saurabh–Vaibhav and Rajat Nagpal	Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweety
		Amit Trivedi	Manmarziyaan
		Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy	Raazi

Year	Photos of winners	Music Director	Film
2020 (65th)	–	Amaal Malik, Mithoon, Vishal Mishra, Sachet–Parampara, Akhil Sachdeva‡	Kabir Singh
		Zoya Akhtar, Ankur Tewari‡	Gully Boy
		Arko Pravo Mukherjee, Tanishk Bagchi, Jasbir Jassi, Chirantan Bhatt, Gurmoh, Jasleen Royal	Kesari
		Pritam	Kalank
		Vishal–Shekhar	Bharat
2021 (66th)		Pritam ‡	Ludo
		A. R. Rahman	Dil Bechara
		Mithoon, Ankit Tiwari, Ved Sharma, The Fusion Project, Adnan Dhool and Rabi Ahmed	Malang
		Pritam	Love Aaj Kal
		Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy	Chhapaak
2022 (67th)	–	Tanishk Bagchi, B Praak, Jaani, Jasleen Royal, Javed–Mohsin And Vikram Montrose ‡	Shershaah
		A. R. Rahman	Atrangi Re
			Mimi
		Amaal Malik	Saina
		Amit Trivedi	Haseen Dilruba
		Sachin–Jigar	Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui
2023 (68th)		Pritam ‡	Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva
		Amit Trivedi	Uunchai
		Pritam	Laal Singh Chaddha
		Sanjay Leela Bhansali	Gangubai Kathiawadi
		Sachin–Jigar	Bhediya
2024 (69th)	–	Pritam, Vishal Mishra, Harshavardhan Rameshwar, Shreyas Puranik, Ashim Kemson, Bhupinder Babbal, Jaani, Manan Bhardwaj	Animal
		Anirudh Ravichander	Jawan
		Pritam	Dunki
			Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani
			Tu Jhoothi Main Makkar
		Sachin–Jigar	Zara Hatke Zara Bachke
		Vishal–Shekhar	Pathaan

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