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Filmfare Award for Best Director – Tamil
Awarded for	Best Director in Tamil films
Country	India
Presented by	Filmfare
First awarded	P. Madhavan, Gnana Oli (1972)
Currently held by	Mani Ratnam, Ponniyin Selvan: I (2022)
Website	Filmfare Awards

The Filmfare Best Director Award 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 the record of winning most awards with 7 and winning the award twice in a row, on two separate occasions (1974–1975 and 1980–1981). 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 (1993) and Kadhalan (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	Photos of winners	Winners	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	Kadhalan
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 (Director Duo)	Vikram Vedha
2018		Ram Kumar	Ratsasan
2020-2021		Sudha Kongara	Soorarai Pottru
2022		Mani Ratnam	Ponniyin Selvan: I

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 – 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 – 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
  • Maniratnam – 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 – Ezhaam 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
• 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

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Sources

• Ramachandran, T.M. (1973). Film world. Vol. 9.
• Collections. Update Video Publication. 1991.
• The Times of India directory and year book including who's who. Times of India Press. 1984.

External links

• 52nd Annual Awards

• Filmfare Awards South (Tamil)