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 Superlative DirectorRecordMost winsK. Balachander 7 Most nominations 18 Most nominations without a win Vikraman 7Most consecutive nominationsK. Balachander 6BharathirajaMost consecutive wins K. Balachander 2S. P. MuthuramanMani RatnamS. ShankarCheranOldest winnerK. Balachander 63Oldest nomineeBalu Mahendra 74

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 Year Director Film Ref(s). 1972 P. Madhavan Gnana Oli 1973 A. C. Tirulokchandar Bharatha Vilas 1974 K. Balachander Aval Oru Thodar Kathai 1975 K. Balachander Apoorva Raagangal 1976 S. P. Muthuraman Oru Oodhappu Kan Simittugiradhu 1977 S. P. Muthuraman Bhuvana Oru Kelvi Kuri 1978 Bharathiraja Sigappu Rojakkal 1979 Mahendran Uthiripookkal 1980 K. Balachander Varumayin Niram Sivappu 1981 K. Balachander Thanneer Thanneer 1982 Balu Mahendra Moondram Pirai 1983 A. Jagannathan Vellai Roja 1984 K. Balachander Achamillai Achamillai 1985 Fazel Poove Poochudava 1986 Mani Ratnam Mouna Raagam 1987 Bharathiraja Vedham Puthithu 1988 Balu Mahendra Veedu 1989 K.Balachander Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal 1990 Mani Ratnam Anjali 1991 Mani Ratnam Thalapathi 1992 K.Balachander Vaaname Ellai 1993 Shankar Gentleman 1994 Shankar Kaadhalan 1995 Mani Ratnam Bombay 1996 Agathiyan Kadhal Kottai 1997 Cheran Bharathi Kannamma 1998 Cheran Desiya Geetham 1999 Bala Sethu 2000 Rajiv Menon Kandukondain Kandukondain 2001 Cheran Pandavar Bhoomi 2002 Mani Ratnam Kannathil Muthamittal 2003 Bala Pithamagan 2004 Cheran Autograph 2005 Shankar Anniyan 2006 Vasanthabalan Veyil 2007 Ameer Sultan Paruthiveeran 2008 Sasikumar Subramaniyapuram 2009 Priyadarshan Kanchivaram 2010 Vasanthabalan Angadi Theru 2011 Vetrimaaran Aadukalam 2012 Balaji Sakthivel Vazhakku Enn 18/9 2013 Bala Paradesi 2014 A. R. Murugadoss Kaththi 2015 Mohan Raja Thani Oruvan 2016 Sudha Kongara Irudhi Suttru 2017 Pushkar–Gayathri Vikram Vedha 2018Ram Kumar Ratsasan 2020–2021 Sudha Kongara Soorarai Pottru 2022 Mani Ratnam Ponniyin Selvan: I 2023 S. U. Arun Kumar Chithha 2024PS VinothrajKottukkaaliRajkumar PeriasamyAmaran

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 – Ponniyin Selvan: I Lokesh Kanagaraj – Vikram Gautham Ramachandran – Gargi M. Manikandan – Kadaisi Vivasayi Gautham Menon – Vendhu Thanindhathu Kaadu 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 2024 – PS Vinothraj – Kottukkaali and Rajkumar Periasamy – Amaran C. Prem Kumar – Meiyazhagan Mari Selvaraj – Vaazhai Nithilan Saminathan – Maharaja Pa. Ranjith – Thangalaan

References