All The Women In History Who Have Won The Dadasaheb Phalke Award

Devika Rani (1969 - 17th NFA) Widely regarded as "the first lady of Indian cinema," the actress made her debut in Karma , the country's first movie in English and the first with an on-screen kiss

Ruby Myers/Sulochana (1973 - 21st NFA) She was the highest paid actress of her time and considered to be a sex symbol

Kanan Devi (1976 -24th NFA) She made her debut in the 1920s with silent films and is known as the "the first lady of Bengali cinema"

Durga Khote (1983 - 31st NFA) She is known as a trailblazer for women in Indian cinema and acted in the first Marathi-language talkie

Lata Mangeshkar (1989 - 37th NFA) The infamous "nightingale of India" she was renown for her significant contribution to Indian music

Asha Bhosle (2000 - 48th NFA) Bhosle began her musical career in 1943 as a playback vocalist

Asha Parekh (2020 - 68th NFA) She was also awarded the Padma Shri award by the Indian government in 1992. She will receive her 2020 award in 2022 owing to COVID-19