Person
Runa Laila
Sylhet, East Pakistan [now in Sylhet, Bangladesh]
Runa Laila is a Bangladeshi playback singer and composer. Widely recognized as one of the most prominent singers in South Asia, she is often referred to by the honorific title "Qu…
IMDbKnown for
Popular titles
Biography
A closer look
Read full biography
Runa Laila is a Bangladeshi playback singer and composer. Widely recognized as one of the most prominent singers in South Asia, she is often referred to by the honorific title "Queen of Melody". Over her decades-long career, she has recorded songs in several languages, gaining popularity across Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India. Laila began her professional career in the Pakistani film industry in the late 1960s. Her early singing style was inspired by Pakistani playback singer Ahmed Rushdi with whom she frequently collaborated on duets. She gained profound international recognition with her iconic rendition of the traditional Sufi song "Dama Dam Mast Qalandar", which cemented her status as a legendary figure in South Asian music. A highly decorated artist, Laila has won the Bangladesh National Film Awards for Best Female Playback Singer a record seven times for her vocal performances in films such as The Rain (1976), Jadur Banshi (1977), Accident (1989), and Ontore Ontore (1994). She later won Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Music Composer for the film Ekti Cinemar Golpo (2018). For her contributions to music and culture, she was awarded the Independence Award, the highest civilian honor in Bangladesh, in 1977.
Filmography
Movies and shows, newest first
-
2026
Prince: Once Upon a Time in Dhaka
Movie Playback Singer
-
2022
ভাঙন
Movie Playback Singer
-
2012
Sur Kshetra
TV show Herself / Judge
-
2012
No Entry
Movie Playback Singer
-
2009
Bondhu Maya Lagaichhe
Movie Playback Singer
-
2006
A Fairy Tale
Movie Playback Singer
-
2005
Tok Jhaal Mishti
Movie Playback Singer
-
1999
Dhor
Movie Playback Singer
-
1999
Madhu Malati
Movie Playback Singer
-
1999
Dujon Dujonar
Movie Playback Singer
-
1999
Ononto Bhalobasa
Movie Playback Singer
-
1997
Shopner Nayok
Movie Playback Singer
-
1994
Bikkhov
Movie Playback Singer
-
1992
Khoon Ka Karz
Movie Playback Singer
-
1991
Dangga
Movie Playback Singer
-
1984
Avijan
Movie Playback Singer
More credits
-
1975
Farz Aur Mamta
Movie Playback Singer
-
1974
Do Tasveerain
Movie Playback Singer
-
1974
Sharafat
Movie Playback Singer
-
1974
Sawan Aaya Tum Nahi Aaye
Movie Playback Singer
-
1974
Mitti Kay Putlay
Movie Playback Singer
-
1974
Do Badan
Movie Playback Singer
-
1973
Nishan
Movie Playback Singer
-
1973
Badal Aur Bijli
Movie Playback Singer
-
1973
Nadaan
Movie Playback Singer
-
1972
Pazeb
Movie Playback Singer
-
1972
Sabaq
Movie Playback Singer
-
1972
Mann Ki Jeet
Movie Playback Singer
-
1972
Ek Raat
Movie Playback Singer
-
1972
Aao Pyar Karen
Movie Playback Singer
-
1972
Baazar
Movie Playback Singer
-
1971
Babul
Movie Playback Singer
-
1971
Shorolipi
Movie Playback Singer
-
1970
Saughat
Movie Playback Singer
-
1969
Meri Bhabhi
Movie Playback Singer
-
1969
Nazneen
Movie Playback Singer
-
1969
Ladla
Movie Playback Singer
-
1969
Diya Aur Toofan
Movie Playback Singer
-
1969
Aneela
Movie Playback Singer
-
1968
Behan Bhai
Movie Playback Singer
