Lata made her debut as a playback singer in the year 1942 singing songs for a regional film. Her first song "Naachu Yaa Gade, Khelu Saari Mani Haus Bhaari" which was composed by Sadashivrao Nevrekar for Vasant Joglekar's Marathi movie Kiti Hasaal.
Her first Hindi song was "Mata Ek Sapoot Ki Duniya Badal De Tu" for the Marathi film, Gajaabhaau in year 1943 and She started playback singing for Hindi films in 1947 with the movie Aap Ki Sewa Main with the song "Ab kaun sunega mere man ki baat" and with the film Mahal in 1949, she gave her first hit song "Ayega Aanewala".
