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Just like last year, nominations for this year's Filmfare awards have brought a pleasant surprise for Pakistan. Singer Atif Aslam has been nominated in the Best Playback Singer (male) category.

Also read: Fawad Khan wins Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut

The singer has been nominated for the track 'Jeena Jeena' from Badlapur, which tugged at the heartstrings of fans in Pakistan and India. He will be competing with Ankit Tiwari for 'Tu Hai Ke Nahi' from Roy, Arjit Singh for 'Gerua' from Dilwale and 'Sooraj Dooba' from Roy, Papon for 'Moh Moh Ke Dhaage' from Dum Laga Ke Haisha and Vishal Dadlani for 'Gulabo' from Shandaar.

But this isn't the first time that Atif has been nominated for the prestigious award. He bagged his first nomination when he was still new to Bollywood for his song 'Woh Lamhey' from Zeher (2005) and later for 'Tere Bin' from Bas Ek Pal (2006) and 'Tu Jaanay Na' from Ajab Prem Ki Ghazal Kahani (2010).

Atif has also been nominated for awards like Zee Cine awards and Apsara Film Producers Guild Awards. After a mini hiatus from the local industry, Atif made a comeback last year with three appearances in season eight of Coke Studio. He also lent his vocals for 'Tou Dil Karay' in Asim Raza's film Ho Mann Jahaan.

Last year, Fawad Khan brought home the Filmfare award for Best Debut (Male).

A previous version of this story erroneously stated that Atif Aslam has previously received two Filmfare nominations. The error has been corrected.