Filmfare Award for Best Director – Tamil

The Filmfare Best Director Award is given by the Filmfare magazine as part of its annual Filmfare Awards South for Tamil films. The awards were extended to "Best Director" in 1972.

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Superlatives

K. Balachander has the record of winning most awards with 7 and winning the award twice in a row, on two separate occasions. Mani Ratnam has received the award for 6 times, which is the second most wins. Cheran has received the award 4 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. The only other female director to have been nominated is Suhasini for Indira.
S. Shankar remains the only director to have won the award for his first two films consecutively, Gentleman and Kaadhalan.
S. Shankar, Cheran, Ameer Sultan, Bala, and Sasikumar are the four directors who have received the award for their debut film.
K. Balachander has the most nominations with 18, followed by Mani Ratnam with 15.

Multiple nominations

18 nominations: K. Balachander
15 nominations: Mani Ratnam
13 nominations: Bharathiraja
9 nominations: S. Shankar
7 nominations: S. P. Muthuraman, Balu Mahendra, Vikraman
6 nominations: K. S. Ravikumar, A. R. Murugadoss
5 nominations: Vetrimaaran, Gautham Menon, Singeetam Srinivasa Rao, K. Bhagyaraj, Cheran, Bala
4 nominations: Selvaraghavan
3 nominations: Fazil, Mohan Raja, Vasanthabalan, P. Vasu, Mahendran, Pa. Ranjith, Mari Selvaraj
2 nominations: P. Madhavan, C. V. Sridhar, A. C. Tirulokchandar, R. Sundarrajan, K. V. Anand, Manivannan, Atlee, Ram Kumar, Ameer Sultan, Prabhu Solomon, Hari, A. L. Vijay, Kamal Haasan, Balaji Sakthivel, Mysskin, Priyadarshan, Rajiv Menon, R. Parthiban, Sundar. C, A. Jagannathan, Sudha Kongara, Madonne Ashwin

Multiple wins

7 wins: K. Balachander
6 wins: Mani Ratnam
4 wins: Cheran
3 wins: S. Shankar, Bala
2 wins: Bharathiraja, S. P. Muthuraman, Vasanthabalan, Balu Mahendra, Sudha Kongara

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
* Singeetam Srinivasa Rao – Dikkatra Parvathi
1975 – K. Balachander – Apoorva Raagangal
* A. C. Tirulokchandar – Anbe Aaruyire
* A. Jagannathan – Idhayakkani
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 Manithargal
* K. Balachander – Avargal
* Bharathiraja – 16 Vayathinile
* R. Thyagarajan – Aattukara Alamelu
1978 – 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
* Bharathiraja – Puthiya Vaarpugal
* Durai – Pasi
* K. Balachander – ''Ninaithale Inikkum''

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
* Bharathiraja – Alaigal Oivathillai
* K. Bhagyaraj – Andha 7 Naatkal
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
* Bharathiraja – Man Vasanai
* C. V. Sridhar – Oru Odai Nadhiyagirathu
* K. Bhagyaraj – Mundhanai Mudichu
* T. Rajendar – Thangaikkor Geetham
1984 – K. Balachander – Achamillai Achamillai
* Bharathiraja – Pudhumai Penn
* Manivannan – Nooravathu Naal
* R. C. Sakthi – Sirai
* S. P. Muthuraman – Nallavanukku Nallavan
1985 – Fazil – Poove Poochudava
* K. Balachander – Sindhu Bhairavi
* K. Bhagyaraj – Chinna Veedu
* Bharathiraja – Muthal Mariyathai
* Bharathiraja – Oru Kaidhiyin Diary
1986 – Mani Ratnam – Mouna Ragam
* Bharathiraja – Kadalora Kavithaigal
* K. Balachander – Punnagai Mannan
* R. Sundarrajan – Amman Kovil Kizhakale
* Visu – Samsaram Adhu Minsaram
1987 – Bharathiraja – Vedham Pudhithu
* Balu Mahendra – Rettai Vaal Kuruvi
* K. Bhagyaraj – Enga Chinna Rasa
* Mani Ratnam – Nayakan
* S. A. Chandrasekhar – Neethikku Thandanai
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 – Kaadhalan
* 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 – Thullatha Manamum Thullum
* K. S. Ravikumar – Padayappa
* R. Parthiban – House Full
* 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 – Nandhaa
* N. Linguswamy – Aanandham
* Vinayan – Kasi
2002 – Mani Ratnam – Kannathil Muthamittal
* A. R. Murugadoss – Ramanaa
* K. S. Ravikumar – Panchatanthiram
* Thangar Bachchan – Azhagi
* Vikraman – Unnai Ninaithu
2003 – Bala – Pithamagan
* Dharani – Dhool
* Gautham Vasudev Menon – Kaaka Kaaka
* Hari – Saamy
* Selvaraghavan – Kadhal Kondain
2004 – Cheran – Autograph
* Balaji Sakthivel – Kaadhal
* Mani Ratnam – Aayutha 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 – Pudhupettai
2007 – Ameer Sultan – Paruthiveeran
* Prabhu Deva – Pokkiri
* Radha Mohan – Mozhi
* S. Shankar – Sivaji
* Vetrimaaran – Polladhavan
2008 – Sasikumar – Subramaniyapuram
* Gautham Vasudev Menon – Vaaranam Aayiram
* K. S. Ravikumar – Dasavathaaram
* M. Raja – Santosh Subramaniam
* Mithran Jawahar – Yaaradi Nee Mohini
* Myshkin – Anjathe
2009 – Priyadarshan – Kanchivaram
* Bala – Naan Kadavul
* K. V. Anand – Ayan
* Pandiraj – Pasanga
* Samuthirakani – Naadodigal
* Suseenthiran – ''Vennila Kabadi Kuzhu''

2010s

2010 – Vasanthabalan – Angaadi Theru
* A. L. Vijay – Madrasapattinam
* Gautham Vasudev Menon – Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa
* Prabu Solomon – Mynaa
* Selvaraghavan – Aayirathil Oruvan
* Shankar – Enthiran
2011 – Vetrimaaran – Aadukalam
* A. L. Vijay – Deiva Thirumagal
* A. R. Murugadoss – 7 Aum Arivu
* K. V. Anand – Ko
* Venkat Prabhu – Mankatha
2012 – Balaji Sakthivel – Vazhakku Enn 18/9
* A. R. Murugadoss – Thuppakki
* Prabu Solomon – Kumki
* S. R. Prabhakaran – Sundarapandian
* Seenu Ramasamy – Neerparavai
2013 – Bala for Paradesi
* Balu Mahendra – Thalaimuraigal
* G. N. R. Kumaravelan – Haridas
* Hari – Singam 2
* Kamal Haasan – Vishwaroopam
* Ram – Thanga Meengal
2014 – A. R. Murugadoss – Kaththi
* Pa. Ranjith – Madras
* Ram Kumar – Mundasupatti
* Vasanthabalan – Kaaviya Thalaivan
* Velraj – Velaiyilla Pattathari
2015 – Mohan Raja for Thani Oruvan
* Jithu Joseph – Papanasam
* M. Manikandan – Kaaka Muttai
* Mani Ratnam – OK Kanmani
* Roshan Andrews – 36 Vayadhinile
* Shankar – I2016 – Sudha Kongara – Irudhi Suttru
* Atlee – Theri
* Gautham Vasudev Menon – Achcham Yenbadhu Madamaiyada
* Pa. Ranjith – Kabali
* Raju Murugan – Joker
* Vetrimaran – Visaranai2017 – Pushkar-Gayathri – Vikram Vedha
* Arun Prabu Purushothaman – Aruvi
* Atlee – Mersal
* Dhanush – Power Paandi
* Gopi Nainar – Aramm
* H. Vinoth – Theeran Adhigaram Ondru2018 – Ram Kumar – Ratsasan
* A. R. Murugadoss – Sarkar
* C. Premkumar – 96
* Mani Ratnam – Chekka Chivantha Vaanam
* Mari Selvaraj – Pariyerum Perumal
* Vetrimaran – ''Vada Chennai''

2020s

2020-2021 – Sudha Kongara – Soorarai Potru
*Desingh Periyasamy – Kannum Kannum Kollaiyadithaal
*Madonne Ashwin – Mandela
*Mari Selvaraj – Karnan
*P. Virumandi – Ka Pae Ranasingam
*Pa. Ranjith – Sarpatta Parambarai
*T. J. Gnanavel – Jai Bhim
2022 – Mani Ratnam – Ponniyin Selvan: I
*Lokesh Kanagaraj - Vikram
*Gautham Ramachandran - Gargi
*M. Manikandan - Kadaisi Vivasayi
*Gautham Menon - Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu: Part I - The Kindling
*R. Madhavan - Rocketry: The Nambi Effect
*R. Parthiban - Iravin Nizhal
2023 - S. U. Arun Kumar - Chiththa
*Madonne Ashwin - Maaveeran
*Mani Ratnam - Ponniyin Selvan: II
*Mari Selvaraj - Maamannan
*Vetrimaaran - ''Viduthalai Part 1''