Filmfare Award for Best Director – Tamil

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

Superlatives

• K. Balachander has won the award a record seven times and won twice in a row on two separate occasions (1974–1975 and 1980–1981). Mani Ratnam has received the award 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 (1993) and Kaadhalan (1994).
• 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

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
• 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 – I
• 2016 – Sudha Kongara – Irudhi Suttru
• Atlee – Theri
• Gautham Vasudev 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
• 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 – '
• Lokesh Kanagaraj – Vikram
• Gautham Ramachandran – Gargi
• M. Manikandan – Kadaisi Vivasayi
• Gautham Menon – Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu
• R. Madhavan – '
• R. Parthiban – Iravin Nizhal
• 2023 – S. U. Arun Kumar – Chiththa
• Madonne Ashwin – Maaveeran
• Mani Ratnam – '
• Mari Selvaraj – Maamannan
• Vetrimaaran – Viduthalai Part 1
• 2024 – PS Vinothraj – Kottukkaali and Rajkumar Periasamy – Amaran
• C. Prem Kumar – Meiyazhagan
• Mari Selvaraj – Vaazhai
• Nithilan Saminathan – Maharaja
• Pa. Ranjith – Thangalaan