Filmfare Award for Best Director – Tamil

Superlatives

• K. Balachander has the record of winning most Awards 7 and winning the Award twice in a row, on two separate occasions. Mani Ratnam have received the award for five times which is the second most wins. Cheran have received the award four times.
• Sudha Kongara was the first of two women to have won this award for Irudhi Suttru in 2016, the second being Gayathri of Pushkar-Gayathri duo for Vikram Vedha in 2017. Other woman Director to have been nominated is Suhasini Maniratnam for Indira.
• S. Shankar remains the only Director to have won the Award for his first two films, Gentleman and Kadhalan.
• S. Shankar, Cheran, Bala, and Sasikumar are the four directors who have received the award for their first film.
• K. Balachander has most nominations with 18, followed by P. Bharathiraja and Mani Ratnam with 13.

  Winners

Nominations

1970s

• 1972 - P. Madhavan - Pattikada Pattanama
• 1973 - A. C. Tirulokchandar - Bharatha Vilas
• 1974 - K. Balachander - Aval Oru Thodar Kathai
• * C. V. Sridhar - Urimai Kural
• * Singeetham Srinivasa Rao - Dikkatra Parvathi
• 1975 - K. Balachander - Apoorva Raagangal
• * A. Jagannathan - Idhayakkani
• * A. C. Tirulokchandar - Anbe Aaruyire
• 1976 - S. P. Muthuraman - Oru Oodhappu Kan Simittugiradhu
• * Devaraj-Mohan - Annakili
• * K. Balachander - Moondru Mudichu
• * P. Madhavan - Chitra Pournami
• * S. P. Muthuraman - Thunive Thunai
• 1977 - S. P. Muthuraman - Bhuvana Oru Kelvi Kuri
• * Bhimsingh - Sila Nerangalil Sila Manidhargal
• * K. Balachander - Avargal
• * P. Bharathiraja - 16 Vayathinile
• * R. Thyagarajan - Aattukara Alamelu
• 1978 - P. Bharathiraja - Sigappu Rojakkal
• * C. Rudhraiya - Aval Appadithan
• * C. V. Sridhar - Ilamai Oonjal Aadukirathu
• * Mahendran - Mullum Malarum
• * S. P. Muthuraman - Priya
• 1979 - Mahendran - Uthiri Pookkal
• * Balu Mahendra - Azhiyatha Kolangal
• * Durai - Pasi
• * K. Balachander - Ninaithale Inikkum
• * P. Bharathiraja - Puthiya Vaarpugal

  1980s

• 1980 - K. Balachander - Varumayin Niram Sigappu
• * K. Vijayan - Vandichakkaram
• * Mahendran - Nenjathai Killathe
• * R. Krishnamurthy - Billa
• * S. P. Muthuraman - Murattu Kaalai
• 1981 - K. Balachander - Thaneer Thaneer
• * Bharathi-Vasu - Panneer Pushpangal
• * G. N. Rangarajan - Meendum Kokila
• * K. Bhagyaraj - Andha Ezhu Naatkal
• * P. Bharathiraja - Alaigal Oivathillai
• 1982 - Balu Mahendra - Moondram Pirai
• * K. Balachander - Agni Sakshi
• * Manivannan - Gopurangal Saivathillai
• * R. Sundarrajan - Payanangal Mudivathillai
• * S. P. Muthuraman - Engeyo Ketta Kural
• 1983 - A. Jagannathan - Vellai Roja
• * C. V. Sridhar - Oru Odai Nadhiyagirathu
• * K. Bhagyaraj - Mundhanai Mudichu
• * P. Bharathiraja - Man Vasanai
• * T. Rajendar - Thangaikkor Geetham
• 1984 - K. Balachander - Achamillai Achamillai
• * Manivannan - Nooravathu Naal
• * R. C. Sakthi - Sirai
• * P. Bharathiraja - Pudhumai Penn
• * S. P. Muthuraman - Nallavanukku Nallavan
• 1985 - Fazil - Poove Poochudava
• * K. Balachander - Sindhu Bhairavi
• * K. Bhagyaraj - Chinna Veedu
• * P. Bharathiraja - Muthal Mariyathai
• * P. Bharathiraja - Oru Kaidhiyin Diary
• 1986 - Mani Ratnam - Mouna Ragam
• * K. Balachander - Punnagai Mannan
• * P. Bharathiraja - Kadalora Kavithaigal
• * R. Sundarrajan - Amman Kovil Kizhakale
• * Visu - Samsaram Adhu Minsaram
• 1987 - P. Bharathiraja - Vedham Pudhithu
• * Balu Mahendra - Rettai Vaal Kuruvi
• * K. Bhagyaraj - Enga Chinna Rasa
• * S. A. Chandrasekhar - Neethikku Thandanai
• * Mani Ratnam - Nayakan
• 1988 - Balu Mahendra - Veedu
• * K. Balachander - Unnal Mudiyum Thambi
• * Fazil - En Bommukutty Ammavukku
• * Mani Ratnam - Agni Natchathiram
• * Suresh Krissna - Sathya
• 1989 - K. Balachander - Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal
• * Fazil - Varusham Padhinaaru
• * K. Bhagyaraj - Aararo Aariraro
• * R. Parthiban - Pudhea Paadhai
• * Singeetham Srinivasa Rao - Apoorva Sagodharargal

  1990s

• 1990 - Mani Ratnam - Anjali
• * K. Balachander - Oru Veedu Iru Vaasal
• * Singeetham Srinivasa Rao - Michael Madana Kama Rajan
• * Vasanth - Keladi Kanmani
• * Vikraman - Pudhu Vasantham
• 1991 - Mani Ratnam - Thalapathi
• * K. Balachander - Azhagan
• * P. Vasu - Chinna Thambi
• * Priyadarshan - Gopura Vasalile
• * R. K. Selvamani - Captain Prabhakaran
• 1992 - K. Balachander - Vaaname Ellai
• * Balu Mahendra - Vanna Vanna Pookkal
• * Bharathan - Thevar Magan
• * Mani Ratnam - Roja
• * R. V. Udayakumar - Chinna Gounder
• 1993 - S. Shankar - Gentleman
• * Balu Mahendra - Marupadiyum
• * Bharathiraja - Kizhakku Cheemayile
• * K. Balachander - Jathi Malli
• * Vikraman - Gokulam
• 1994 - S. Shankar - Kadhalan
• * Bharathiraja - Karuthamma
• * K. S. Ravikumar - Nattamai
• * Santhana Bharathi - Mahanadhi
• * Singeetham Srinivasa Rao - Magalir Mattum
• 1995 - Mani Ratnam - Bombay
• * Balu Mahendra - Sathi Leelavathi
• * Bharathiraja - Anthimanthaarai
• * I. V. Sasi - Kolangal
• * Suhasini Maniratnam - Indira
• 1996 - Agathiyan - Kadhal Kottai
• * K. Balachander - Kalki
• * S. Shankar - Indian
• * Sundar C. - Ullathai Allitha
• * Vikraman - Poove Unakkaga
• 1997 - Cheran - Bharathi Kannamma
• * Mani Ratnam - Iruvar
• * Rajeev Menon - Minsara Kanavu
• * Sundar C. - Arunachalam
• * Vikraman - Suryavamsam
• 1998 - Cheran - Desiya Geetham
• * K. S. Ravikumar - Natpukkaga
• * S. Shankar - Jeans
• * Singeetham Srinivasa Rao - Kadhala Kadhala
• * Vikraman - Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen
• 1999 - Bala - Sethu
• * Ezhil - Thulladha Manamum Thullum
• * K. S. Ravikumar - Padayappa
• * R. Parthiban - Housefull
• * S. Shankar - Mudhalvan

  2000s

• 2000 - Rajeev Menon - Kandukondain Kandukondain
• * Kamal Haasan - Hey Ram
• * Mani Ratnam - Alaipayuthey
• * S. J. Suryah - Kushi
• * Vikraman - Vaanathaipola
• 2001 - Cheran - Pandavar Bhoomi
• * Bala - Nandha
• * N. Linguswamy - Aanandham
• * Vinayan - Kasi
• 2002 - Maniratnam - Kannathil Muthamittal
• * A. R. Murugadoss - Ramanaa
• * K. S. Ravikumar - Panchatanthiram
• * Thangar Bachchan - Azhagi
• * Vikraman - Unnai Ninaithu
• 2003 - Bala - Pithamagan
• * Dharani - Dhool
• * Gautham Menon - Kaaka Kaaka
• * Hari - Saamy
• * Selvaraghavan - Kadhal Kondain
• 2004 - Cheran - Autograph
• * Balaji Sakthivel - Kaadhal
• * Maniratnam - Aaytha Ezhuthu
• * Mohan Raja - M. Kumaran S/O Mahalakshmi
• * Selvaraghavan - 7G Rainbow Colony
• 2005 - S. Shankar - Anniyan
• * A. R. Murugadoss - Ghajini
• * Ameer Sultan - Raam
• * Cheran - Thavamai Thavamirundhu
• * P. Vasu - Chandramukhi
• 2006 - Vasanthabalan - Veyyil
• * K. S. Ravikumar - Varalaru
• * Mysskin - Chithiram Pesuthadi
• * S. P. Jananathan - E
• * Selvaraghavan - Kadhal Kondain
• 2007 - Ameer Sultan - Paruthiveeran
• * Prabhu Deva - Pokkiri
• * Radha Mohan - Mozhi
• * S. Shankar - Sivaji
• * Vetrimaaran - Polladhavan
• 2008 - Sasikumar - Subramaniyapuram
• * Gautham Menon - Vaaranam Aayiram
• * Mithran Jawahar - Yaaradi Nee Mohini
• * K. S. Ravikumar - Dasavathaaram
• * M. Raja - Santosh Subramaniam
• * Myshkin - Anjathe
• 2009 - Priyadarshan - Kanchivaram
• * K. V. Anand - Ayan
• * Bala - Naan Kadavul
• * Pandiraj - Pasanga
• * Samuthirakani - Naadodigal
• * Suseenthiran - Vennila Kabadi Kuzhu

  2010s

• 2010 - Vasanthabalan - Angaadi Theru
• * Gautham Menon - Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa
• * Prabu Solomon - Mynaa
• * Selvaraghavan - Aayirathil Oruvan
• * Shankar - Enthiran
• * A. L. Vijay - Madrasapattinam
• 2011 - Vetrimaaran - Aadukalam
• * K. V. Anand – Ko
• * A. R. Murugadoss – Ezhaam Arivu
• * Venkat Prabhu – Mankatha
• * A. L. Vijay – Deiva Thirumagal
• 2012 - Balaji Sakthivel - Vazhakku Enn 18/9
• * Seenu Ramasamy – Neerparavai
• * S. R. Prabhakaran – Sundarapandian
• * A. R. Murugadoss – Thuppakki
• * Prabu Solomon – Kumki
• 2013 - Bala for Paradesi
• * Balu Mahendra – Thalaimuraigal
• * G. N. R. Kumaravelan – Haridas
• * Hari – Singam 2
• * Kamal Haasan - Vishwaroopam
• * Ram - Thanga Meengal
• 2014 - AR Murugadoss - Kaththi
• * Pa. Ranjith – Madras
• * Ram Kumar – Mundasupatti
• * Vasanthabalan - Kaaviya Thalaivan
• * Velraj - Velaiyilla Pattathari
• 2015- Mohan Raja for Thani Oruvan
• * Jithu Joseph – Papanasam
• * Mani Ratnam – OK Kanmani
• * M. Manikandan – Kaaka Muttai
• * Roshan Andrews – 36 Vayadhinile
• * Shankar – I
• 2016 - Sudha Kongara - Irudhi Suttru
• * Atlee – Theri
• * Gautham Menon – Achcham Yenbadhu Madamaiyada
• * Pa. Ranjith – Kabali
• * Raju Murugan – Joker
• * Vetrimaran – Visaranai
• 2017 - Pushkar-Gayathri - Vikram Vedha
• * Arun Prabu Purushothaman – Aruvi
• * Atlee – Mersal
• * Dhanush – Power Paandi
• * Gopi Nainar – Aramm
• * H. Vinoth – Theeran Adhigaram Ondru
• 2018 - Ram Kumar - Ratsasan
• * Mani Ratnam - Chekka Chivantha Vaanam
• * Mari Selvaraj - Pariyerum Perumal
• * A R Murugadoss - Sarkar
• * Prem Kumar - 96
• * Vetrimaran - Vada Chennai