Filmfare Awards are the oldest and most prominent film awards given for Hindi films in India. They are given annually to honour Bollywood's best talents and provide encouragement and incentive to the Hindi motion picture industry.
History

The awards were first conceived in 1953. Readers of Filmfare magazine were polled to decide the winners, and over 20,000 readers spread throughout India participated in the polls; trophies were given to winners of the popular vote. In the first awards function, held on 21st March 1954, only five awards were presented – for the best film , the best director, the best actor, the best actress, and the best music director. Do Bigha Zameen was the first movie to win the award for the best film. The first four winners for other categories were: Bimal Roy for direction of Do Bigha Zameen, Dilip Kumar for his performance in Daag, Meena Kumari for her performance in Baiju Bawra, and Naushad for his music in Baiju Bawara.

Awards
As of 2005, there are 31 awards. There is now a separate category of film-critics awards, decided by noted film-critics rather than popular votes. Awards are given in the following categories. Follow the links for lists of the award winners, year by year.

Popular awards
Best Movie
Best Director
Best Actor
Best Actress
Best Supporting Actor
Best Supporting Actress
Best Villain
Best Comedian
Lux New Face (in magazine) No Longer Given
Best Debut (Male and Female)
Best Music Director
Best Lyricist
Best Male Playback
Best Female Playback

Critics Awards
Critics Award Best Movie
Critics Award Best Performance (Actor and Actress)

Special Awards
Lifetime Achievement
Power Award
Special Performance Award
Sony Scene of the Year
RD Burman Award for New Music Talent
Best Film of 50 Years (once in 50th year anniversary)

Technical Awards
Best Art Direction
Best Action
Best Cinematographer
Best Editing
Best Choreography
Best Story
Best Screenplay
Best Background Score
Best Dialogue
Best Sound Recording