Alia Bhatt Breaks Filmfare Record, Surpasses Nutan & Kajol with Sixth Best Actress Win — Internet Questions If She Deserves Italia-bhatt-breaks-filmfare-record-best-actress-controversy

Alia Bhatt Makes Filmfare History with Sixth Best Actress Award But Is Everyone Convinced?

Mumbai: At the 70th Filmfare Awards, Alia Bhatt made history by winning her sixth Best Actress trophy, officially surpassing Nutan and Kajol, who previously held the joint record with five wins each. Alia received the award for her performance in Vasan Bala’s Jigra, where she played a determined sister attempting to free her brother from death row.

While this achievement was celebrated by many, it also sparked intense debate online. Critics and fans questioned whether her performance and her overall filmography merits such a historic record. Some accused Filmfare of favoritism and disregarding more deserving actresses and performances.

They received so much backlash for giving her the award back to back, and I thought this year they’d skip her. But no," wrote one Reddit user.

Others compared her legacy to cinema legends such as Waheeda Rahman, Meena Kumari, Madhuri Dixit, and Sridevi, questioning why Alia has now surpassed many of these names in terms of Filmfare recognition.

“No one ever refers to Alia Bhatt as the ‘ultimate actress’ in pop culture. You still hear people say ‘She’s like a Sridevi’ or ‘a Madhuri.’ Never Alia.”

Alia’s past Best Actress wins were for Udta Punjab, Raazi, Gully Boy, Gangubai Kathiawadi, and Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. This year’s win makes it her third consecutive victory, adding to the perception that Filmfare has become predictable and politically influenced.

The conversation also reignited memories of how Meena Kumari held the record for decades with four wins until Nutan surpassed her in 1979. Later, Kajol matched Nutan’s total in 2011 with My Name Is Khan. Other iconic actresses like Vidya Balan, Madhuri Dixit, Jaya Bachchan, and Shabana Azmi remain at 3-4 wins each.

Despite Jigra receiving positive reviews, the film underperformed at the box office, earning just ₹55 crore against an ₹80 crore budget  a fact that added more fuel to the controversy over Alia's win.

Still, the Filmfare jury stood by its decision, praising her intense performance and emotional range in Jigra. Alia is next set to appear in YRF's Spy Universe film, also titled Jigra, and later in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Love & War, which reunites her with Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal.