Rekha Bhardwaj

Rekha Bhardwaj
Rekha Bhardwaj
	Rekha Bhardwaj performing at Alive India in Concert (Season 3) at Phoenix Marketcity, Bangalore on 1 February 2014
Background information
Born	Delhi, India
Genres	Playback singing in Bollywood and regional films
Occupation	Singer
Years active	1997–present

Last updated March 17, 2025

Rekha Bhardwaj is an Indian singer and live performer. She has received two Filmfare and one National Awards.^[1]^[2] In addition to Hindi, she has also sung in Bengali, Marathi, Punjabi and Malayalam languages.^[3]

Personal life

Bhardwaj was born in Delhi and is one of six siblings (5 sisters and a brother). She married film director, composer and playback singer Vishal Bhardwaj in 1991.^[4] She first met him in 1984 when preparing for the annual function of Hindu College in New Delhi.^[5]

Professional career

Bhardwaj was initially trained in music by her older sister at their home. She went on to receive formal training under Pandit Amarnath.^[6]

Bhardwaj's first album titled 'Ishqa Ishqa' was released in 2002, ten years after its conception. Its success got her recognition and helped bag her career-defining songs like "Namak Ishq Ka" in the 2006 film Omkara (composed by her Husband Vishal Bharadwaj) followed by "Sasural Genda Phool" (a Chhattisgarhi folk song recreated by AR RAHMAN) in 2009 film Delhi-6.^[4]^[7]

Awards and honours

2015 Nominated for Filmfare Award for Best Playback Singer (female) for the song "Humari atariya pe" from the 2014 film Dedh Ishqiya ^[8]
2014 Nominated for Hum Award for Best Original Soundtrack for the song Kabhi Ashna Kabhi Ajnabi from the 2013 Pakistani TV serial Humnasheen ^[9]
2013 Mirchi Music Awards for Raag-based song of the year for "Ek Ghadi" from D-Day ^[10]
2012 Co-winner of Filmfare Award for Best Playback Singer (female) with Usha Uthup for the song "Darling" from the 2011 film 7 Khoon Maaf ^[11]
2011 National Award for the song "Badi dheere jali" from the 2010 film Ishqiya ^[12]
2011 Mirchi Music Awards for Female Vocalist of The Year for "Darling" from 7 Khoon Maaf ^[13]
2010 Filmfare Award for Best Playback Singer (female) for the song "Sasural Genda Phool" from the 2009 film Delhi-6 ^[14]
2009 Mirchi Music Awards for Female Vocalist of The Year for the song "Sasural Genda Phool" from Delhi-6^[15]

Discography

Bhardwaj has been a playback singer for various films in various languages.

Hindi

Release year	Film	Track title	Comments
2023	Ishq Vishk Rebound	Rehmat (Rebound)	with Rochak Kohli
2023	Kill	Nikat	with Haroon-Gavin
2023	Khufiya	Mat Aana	with Vishal Bhardwaj (released on Netflix)
2023	Kuttey	Kuttey (Title Track)	with Vishal Bhardwaj
2022	Mismatched (Netflix Web Series)	Aise Kyun (Ghazal Version)	with Anurag Saikiya
2021	Dhindora (YouTube Web Series)	Saazish	with Bhuvan Bam
2021	Hum Do Hamare Do	Vedha Sajjeyaa	with Sachin–Jigar and Vishal Jain (released on Disney Plus Hotstar)
2020	Angrezi Medium	Laadki	with Sachin-Jigar
2018	Pari	So Ja So Ja
	Pataakha	Balma	with Sunidhi Chauhan and Vishal Bhardwaj
	Pataakha	Hello Hello	with Vishal Bhardwaj
	Love per Square Foot	Raaz Apne Dil Ke (Indian),	released on Netflix
	Love per Square Foot	Raaz Apne Dil Ke (Western)	released on Netflix
	Vodka Diaries	Sakhi Ri	with Ustad Rashid Khan
2017	Rangoon	Mere Miyan Gaye England	with Vishal Bhardwaj
		Chori Chori
		Yeh Ishq Hai (Female Version)
2016	Dobara Phir Se	Rasta Tham Gaya
	Tum Bin 2	Teri Fariyad	with Jagjit Singh and Ankit Tiwari
	Tum Bin 2	Teri Fariyad Extended Version	with Jagjit Singh and Ankit Tiwari
	Jugni	Bolladiyaan	with Clinton Cerejo
2015	Drishyam	Dum Ghutta Hai	with Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Vishal Bhardwaj
	Talvar	Zinda	with Vishal Bhardwaj
	Badlapur	Judaai	with Arijit Singh and Sachin-Jigar
	Bajrangi Bhaijaan	Zindagi Kuch Toh Bata	with Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Pritam
	Bin Roye	Chan Chariya
2014	Happy Ending	Mileya Mileya	with Jigar Saraiya and Priya Andrews
	The Xpose	Sheeshe Ka Samundar (reprise)	with Himesh Reshammiya
	Haider	Aaj Ke Naam	with Vishal Bhardwaj
	Revolver Rani	Banna Banni
	Dedh Ishqiya	Hamari Atariya Pe	with Vishal Bhardwaj
	Dedh Ishqiya	Jagaave Saari Raina	with Pandit Birju Maharaj and Vishal Bhardwaj
2013	Ek Thi Daayan	Lautungi Main
	Maazii	Mora Jiya Lagge Na	Nominated for Radio Mirchi Awards for Best Rag Based Song
	D-Day	Ek Ghadi	with Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy
	Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani	Kabira	with Tochi Raina and Pritam
	Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani	"Ghagra"	with Vishal Dadlani and Pritam
	Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola	Oye Boy Charlie	with Mohit Chauhan, Shankar Mahadevan and Vishal Bhardwaj
	Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola	"Badal Uthiya"	with Vishal Bhardwaj
2012	Barfi!	Phir Le Aya Dil	with Pritam
2011	7 Khoon Maaf	Darling	with Usha Uthup and Vishal Bhardwaj
2011	7 Khoon Maaf	Doosri Darling	with Usha Uthup, Clinton Cerejo, Francis Castellino and Vishal Bhardwaj
2010	Veer	Kanha	with Sajid-Wajid
	Sadiyaan	Waqt Ne Jo Beej Boyaa
	Raavan	Ranjha Ranjha	with Javed Ali, Anuradha Sriram and A. R. Rahman
	Ishqiya	Ab Mujhe Koi	with Vishal Bhardwaj
	Ishqiya	Badi Dheere Jali	with Vishal Bhardwaj
2009	Radio	Piya Jaise Ladoo Motichoor Wale	with Himesh Reshammiya
	Kaminey	Pehli Baar Mohabbat	with Sunidhi Chauhan, Kunal Ganjawala, Suresh Wadkar, Earl E D and Vishal Bhardwaj
	Gulaal	Ranaji
	Gulaal	Beedo
	Delhi-6	Genda Phool	with A. R. Rahman
	Delhi-6	Aarti (Tumhare Bhavan Mein)	with Kishori Ashok Gowariker, Sujata Majumdar, Shraddha Pandit and A. R. Rahman
2008	Haal-E-Dil	Haal-E-Dil-2
2008	Superstar	Aankhon Se Khawab Rooth Kar	with Ustad Sultan Khan
2007	Red Swastik	Sadiyon ki Pyaas
2006	Omkara	Namak Ishq Ka	with Vishal Bhardwaj
2006	Omkara	"Laakad"
2003	Maqbool	Rone Do
2003	Maqbool	Chingari
2002	Makdee	Chutta Hai
1999	Jahan Tum Le Chalo	Ye Kaisi Chaap
1999	Godmother	Daaru Rum
1997	Chachi 420	Ek Woh Din Bhi

Other languages

Release year	Film	Track title	Language	Comments
2025	Binodiini: Ekti Natir Upakhyan	Bhaishya Zaibo	Bengali
2012	Kuni Mulgi Deta Ka Mulgi	Unn Matlabi	Marathi	Her first song in the language
2012	Doshomi	Swapno Bheja Alo	Bengali
2018	Carbon	Doore Doore	Malayalam

Other works

In addition to films, Bhardwaj has also sung for TV serials, etc.

Release year	Work	Track title	Comments
2013	Humnasheen	Kabhi Ashna Kabhi Ajnabi	Title track for Pakistani TV serial
2002	Ishqa Ishqa		Her first music album consisting of Ghazals.^[16]

References

↑ "Rekha Bhardwaj, who has won the National Award for Best Female Playback singer, said it's a great feeling having been able to share the same high with hubby Vishal Bhardwaj, who has won the Best Music Director award for the same film, "Ishqiya". - Times of India". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 3 October 2017. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
↑ "Rekha Bhardwaj sings for 'Bin Roye' - The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune. 10 June 2015. Archived from the original on 3 October 2017. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
↑ "The lesser known side of singer Rekha Bhardwaj". 11 November 2016. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
1 2 "The lesser known side of singer Rekha Bhardwaj". hindustantimes.com. 11 November 2016. Archived from the original on 15 February 2017. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
↑ "Vishal and I met through music: Rekha Bhardwaj". Archived from the original on 3 October 2017. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
↑ "Lataji can give anyone a complex". Timesofindia.indiatimes.com. 3 April 2006. Archived from the original on 23 October 2012. Retrieved 20 October 2012.
↑ "Gulzarsaab is my Santa Claus". Specials.rediff.com. Archived from the original on 27 December 2013. Retrieved 20 October 2012.
↑ "Filmfare Awards 2015: 2 States, Haider Lead Nominations - NDTV Movies". NDTVMovies.com. 20 January 2015. Archived from the original on 3 October 2017. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
↑ "Rekha Bhardwaj - New Songs, Playlists & Latest News - BBC Music". BBC. Archived from the original on 28 December 2017. Retrieved 3 October 2017.
↑ "Mirchi Music Awards 2013 Winners List - Times of India". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 9 February 2018. Retrieved 3 October 2017.
↑ "Filmfare Awards 2012: Usha Uthup wins after 42 years of singing". Archived from the original on 5 April 2017. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
↑ "I Take Out All My Frustration Through Singing, Says Rekha Bhardwaj - NDTV Movies". NDTVMovies.com. 27 June 2015. Archived from the original on 3 October 2017. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
↑ "Nominations - Mirchi Music Award Hindi 2011". 30 January 2013. Archived from the original on 30 January 2013. Retrieved 24 May 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
↑ "3 Idiots, Dev D top winners at Filmfare Awards - Times of India". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 12 November 2017. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
↑ "Mirchi Music Award 2009". www.radiomirchi.com. Retrieved 15 February 2019.
↑ Ishqa - Ishqa by Rekha Bhardwaj on Apple Music, 2002, archived from the original on 24 November 2017, retrieved 3 October 2017

External links

Rekha Bhardwaj at IMDb

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[1] "Rekha Bhardwaj, who has won the National Award for Best Female Playback singer, said it's a great feeling having been able to share the same high with hubby Vishal Bhardwaj, who has won the Best Music Director award for the same film, "Ishqiya". - Times of India". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 3 October 2017. Retrieved 2 October 2017.

[2] "Rekha Bhardwaj sings for 'Bin Roye' - The Express Tribune". The Express Tribune. 10 June 2015. Archived from the original on 3 October 2017. Retrieved 2 October 2017.

[3] "The lesser known side of singer Rekha Bhardwaj". 11 November 2016. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 1 June 2018.

[auto-4] 1 2 "The lesser known side of singer Rekha Bhardwaj". hindustantimes.com. 11 November 2016. Archived from the original on 15 February 2017. Retrieved 2 October 2017.

[5] "Vishal and I met through music: Rekha Bhardwaj". Archived from the original on 3 October 2017. Retrieved 2 October 2017.

[6] "Lataji can give anyone a complex". Timesofindia.indiatimes.com. 3 April 2006. Archived from the original on 23 October 2012. Retrieved 20 October 2012.

[7] "Gulzarsaab is my Santa Claus". Specials.rediff.com. Archived from the original on 27 December 2013. Retrieved 20 October 2012.

[8] "Filmfare Awards 2015: 2 States, Haider Lead Nominations - NDTV Movies". NDTVMovies.com. 20 January 2015. Archived from the original on 3 October 2017. Retrieved 2 October 2017.

[9] "Rekha Bhardwaj - New Songs, Playlists & Latest News - BBC Music". BBC. Archived from the original on 28 December 2017. Retrieved 3 October 2017.

[10] "Mirchi Music Awards 2013 Winners List - Times of India". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 9 February 2018. Retrieved 3 October 2017.

[11] "Filmfare Awards 2012: Usha Uthup wins after 42 years of singing". Archived from the original on 5 April 2017. Retrieved 2 October 2017.

[12] "I Take Out All My Frustration Through Singing, Says Rekha Bhardwaj - NDTV Movies". NDTVMovies.com. 27 June 2015. Archived from the original on 3 October 2017. Retrieved 2 October 2017.

[13] "Nominations - Mirchi Music Award Hindi 2011". 30 January 2013. Archived from the original on 30 January 2013. Retrieved 24 May 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)

[14] "3 Idiots, Dev D top winners at Filmfare Awards - Times of India". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 12 November 2017. Retrieved 2 October 2017.

[15] "Mirchi Music Award 2009". www.radiomirchi.com. Retrieved 15 February 2019.

[16] Ishqa - Ishqa by Rekha Bhardwaj on Apple Music, 2002, archived from the original on 24 November 2017, retrieved 3 October 2017

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v t e National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer
1968–1980	P. Susheela (1968) K. B. Sundarambal (1969) Sandhya Mukherjee (1970) P. Susheela (1971) Lata Mangeshkar (1972) Lata Mangeshkar (1974) Vani Jairam (1975) P. Susheela (1976) S. Janaki (1977) Chhaya Ganguly (1978) Vani Jairam (1979) S. Janaki (1980)
1981–2000	Asha Bhosle (1981) P. Susheela (1982) P. Susheela (1983) S. Janaki (1984) K. S. Chithra (1985) K. S. Chithra (1986) Asha Bhosle (1987) K. S. Chithra (1988) Anuradha Paudwal (1989) Lata Mangeshkar (1990) Vani Jairam (1991) S. Janaki (1992) Alka Yagnik (1993) Swarnalatha (1994) Anjali Marathe (1995) K. S. Chithra (1996) K. S. Chithra (1997) Alka Yagnik (1998) Jayashree Dasgupta (1999) Bhavatharini (2000)
2001–2020	Sadhana Sargam (2001) Shreya Ghoshal (2002) Tarali Sarma (2003) K. S. Chithra (2004) Shreya Ghoshal (2005) Arati Ankalikar-Tikekar (2006) Shreya Ghoshal (2007) Shreya Ghoshal (2008) Nilanjana Sarkar (2009) Rekha Bhardwaj (2010) Roopa Ganguly (2011) Arati Ankalikar-Tikekar (2012) Bela Shende (2013) Uthara Unnikrishnan (2014) Monali Thakur (2015) Iman Chakraborty (2016) Shashaa Tirupati (2017) Bindhu Malini (2018) Savani Ravindra (2019) Nanjiyamma (2020)
2021–present	Shreya Ghoshal (2021) Bombay Jayashri (2022)

v t e Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer
1959–1980	Lata Mangeshkar (1959) No Award (1960, 1961, 1962) Lata Mangeshkar (1963) No Award (1964, 1965) Lata Mangeshkar (1966) No Award (1967) Asha Bhosle (1968) Asha Bhosle (1969) Lata Mangeshkar (1970) Sharda (1971) Asha Bhosle (1972) Asha Bhosle (1973) Asha Bhosle (1974) Asha Bhosle (1975) Sulakshana Pandit (1976) Hemlata (1977) Preeti Sagar (1978) Asha Bhosle (1979) Vani Jairam (1980)
1981–2000	Nazia Hassan (1981) Parveen Sultana (1982) Salma Agha (1983) Aarti Mukherji (1984) Anupama Deshpande (1985) Anuradha Paudwal (1986) No Award (1987, 1988) Alka Yagnik (1989) Sapna Mukherjee (1990) Anuradha Paudwal (1991) Anuradha Paudwal (1992) Anuradha Paudwal (1993) Alka Yagnik and Ila Arun (1994) Kavita Krishnamurti (1995) Kavita Krishnamurti (1996) Kavita Krishnamurti (1997) Alka Yagnik (1998) Jaspinder Narula (1999) Alka Yagnik (2000)
2001–present	Alka Yagnik (2001) Alka Yagnik (2002) Kavita Krishnamurti and Shreya Ghoshal (2003) Shreya Ghoshal (2004) Alka Yagnik (2005) Alisha Chinai (2006) Sunidhi Chauhan (2007) Shreya Ghoshal (2008) Shreya Ghoshal (2009) Kavita Seth and Rekha Bhardwaj (2010) Mamta Sharma and Sunidhi Chauhan (2011) Rekha Bhardwaj and Usha Uthup (2012) Shalmali Kholgade (2013) Monali Thakur (2014) Kanika Kapoor (2015) Shreya Ghoshal (2016) Neha Bhasin (2017) Meghna Mishra (2018) Shreya Ghoshal (2019) Shilpa Rao (2020) Asees Kaur (2021) Asees Kaur (2022) Kavita Seth (2023) Shilpa Rao (2024)