Winners of Filmfare Award for Best Director 1950s
| Filmfare Awards | Year | Winner | Film Name |
| 1st | 1954 | Bimal Roy | Do Bigha Zamin |
| 2nd | 1955 | Bimal Roy | Parineeta |
| 3rd | 1956 | Bimal Roy | Biraj Bahu |
| 4th | 1957 | V. Shantaram | Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje |
| 5th | 1958 | Mehboob Khan | Mother India |
| 6th | 1959 | Bimal Roy | Madhumati |
Nominees and Winners of Filmfare Award for Best Director 1960s
| Filmfare Awards | Year | Nomnees & Winner | Film Name |
| 7th | 1960 | + Bimal Roy L. V. Prasad V. Shantaram | Sujata Chhoti Bahen Navrang |
| 8th | 1961 | + Bimal Roy K. Asif Kishore Sahu | Parakh Mughal-E-Azam Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai |
| 9th | 1962 | + B. R. Chopra Nitin Bose Radhu Karmakar | Kanoon Gunga Jumna Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai |
| 10th | 1963 | + Abrar Alvi Mehboob Khan Biren Nag | Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam Son Of India Bees Saal Baad |
| 11th | 1964 | + Bimal Roy B. R. Chopra C. V. Sridhar | Bandini Gumrah Dil Ek Mandir |
| 12th | 1965 | + Raj Kapoor Satyen Bose Kwaja Ahmad Abbas | Sangam Dosti Shehar Aur Sapna |
| 13th | 1966 | + B. R. Chopra Chetan Anand Ramanand Sagar | Waqt Haqueeqat Arzoo |
| 14th | 1967 | + Vijay Anand Asit Sen Hrishikesh Mukherjee | Guide Mamta Anupama |
| 15th | 1968 | + Manoj Kumar A. Subba Rao A. Bhimsingh | Upkar Milan Meharban |
| 16th | 1969 | + Ramanand Sagar Bhappi Soni Ram Maheshwari | Ankhen Brahmachari Neel Kamal |
Nominees and Winners of Filmfare Award for Best Director 1970s
| Filmfare Awards | Year | Nomnees & Winner | Film Name |
| 17th | 1970 | + Yash Chopra L. V. Prasad Shakti Samanta | Ittefaq Jeene Ki Raah Aradhana |
| 18th | 1971 | + Asit Sen Raj Khosla Sohanlal Kanwar | Safar Do Raaste Pehchaan |
| 19th | 1972 | + Raj Kapoor Shakti Samanta Hrishikesh Mukherjee | Mera Naam Joker Kati Patang Anand |
| 20th | 1973 | + Sohanlal Kanwar Manoj Kumar Kamal Amrohi | Be-Imaan Shor Pakeeza |
| 21st | 1974 | + Yash Chopra Gulzar Gulzar Raj Kapoor Rajendra Bhatia | Daag Koshish Achanak Bobby Aaj Ki Taaza Khabar |
| 22st | 1975 | + Manoj Kumar Anil Ganguli M.S. Sathyu Shyam Benegal Basu Bhattacharya | Roti Kapda Aur Makaan Kora Kagaz Garm Hava Ankur Avishkaar |
| 23rd | 1976 | + Yash Chopra Gulzar Ramesh Sippy Shakti Samanta Sohanlal Kanwar | Deewaar Aandhi Sholey Amanush Sanyasi |
| 24th | 1977 | + Gulzar Yash Chopra Rajkumar Kohli Basu Chatterjee Basu Chatterjee | Mausam Kabhie Kabhie Nagin Chitchor Chhoti Si Baat |
| 25th | 1978 | + Basu Chatterjee Gulzar Bhimsain Manmohan Desai Asrani | Swami Kinara Gharonda Amar Akbar Anthony Chala Murari Hero Banne |
| 26th | 1979 | + Satyajit Ray Yash Chopra Raj Kapoor Raj Khosla Prakash Mehra | Shatranj Ke Khilari Trishul Satyam Shivam Sundaram Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Muqaddar Ka Sikandar |
Nominees and Winners of Filmfare Award for Best Director 1980s
| Filmfare Awards | Year | Nomnees & Winner | Film Name |
| 27th | 1980 | + Shayam Benegal Yash Chopra Manmohan Krishna Hrishikesh Mukherjee Hrishikesh Mukherjee | Junoon Kaala Patthar Noorie Jurmana Gol Maal |
| 28th | 1981 | + Govind Nihalani J. Om Prakash B. R. Chopra Hrishikesh Mukherjee Esmayeel Shroff | Aakrosh Aasha Insaaf Ka Tarazu Khubsoorat Thodisi Bewafaii |
| 29th | 1982 | + Muzaffar Ali Shyam Benegal Ramesh Talwar Sai Paranjpye Rabindra Dharamraj | Umrao Jaan Kalyug Baseraa Chashme Buddoor Chakra |
| 30th | 1983 | + Raj Kapoor B. R. Chopra Subhash Ghai Ramesh Sippy Sagar Sarhadi | Prem Rog Nikaah Vidhaata Shakti Bazaar |
| 31st | 1984 | + Govind Nihalani Mahesh Bhatt Mohan Kumar Rahul Rawail Shekhar Kapur | Ardh Satya Arth Avtaar Betaab Masoom |
| 32nd | 1985 | + Sai Paranjpye Mahesh Bhatt Prakash Mehra Ravi Chopra Kundan Shah | Sparsh Saaransh Sharaabi Aaj Ki Awaaz Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro |
| 33rd | 1986 | + Raj Kpoor Mahesh Bhatt Rahul Rawail Ramesh Sippy | Ram Teri Ganga Maili Janam Arjun Saagar |
| 34th | 1989 | + Mansoor Khan N. Chandra Rakesh Roshan | Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak Tezaab Khoon Bhari Maang |
Nominees and Winners of Filmfare Award for Best Director 1990s
| Filmfare Awards | Year | Nomnees & Winner | Film Name |
| 35th | 1990 | + Vidhu Vinod Chopra Yash Chopra Subhash Ghai Mira Nair Sooraj Barjatya | Parinda Chandni Ram Lakhan Salaam Bombay Maine Pyar Kiya |
| 36th | 1991 | + Rajkumar Santoshi Mahesh Bhatt Mukul Anand Ravi Raja Pinisetty | Ghayal Aashiqui Agneepath Pratibandh |
| 37th | 1992 | + Subhash Ghai Yash Chopra Randhir Kapoor Lawrence D’souza Mahesh Bhatt | Saudagar Lamhe Henna Saajan Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahin |
| 38th | 1993 | + Mukul S. Anand Indra Kumar Mansoor Khan | Khuda Gawah Beta Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar |
| 39th | 1994 | + Rajkumar Santoshi Yash Chopra Subhash Ghai David Dhawan Mahesh Bhatt | Damini Darr Khalnayak Aankhen Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke |
| 40th | 1995 | + Sooraj Barjatya Rajiv Rai Mehul Kumar Rajkumar Santoshi Vidhu Vinod Chopra | Hum Aapke Hain Koun Mohra Krantiveer Andaz Apna Apna 1942: A Love Story |
| 41st | 1996 | + Aditya Chopra Indra Kumar Rakesh Roshan Ram Gopal Varma Mansoor Khan | D. D. L. J Raja Karan Arjun Rangeela Akele Hum Akele Tum |
| 42nd | 1997 | + Shekhar Kapur Gulzar Rajkumar Santoshi Partho Ghosh Darmesh Darshan | Bandit Queen Maachis Ghatak Agni Sakshi Raja Hindustani |
| 43rd | 1998 | + J. P. Dutta Rajiv Rai Subhash Ghai Priyadarshan Yash Chopra | Border Gupt Pardes Virasat Dil To pagal Hai |
| 44th | 1999 | + Karan Johar Vikram Bhatt Abbas-Mustan Ram Gopal Varma Sohail Khan | Kuch Kuch Hota Hai Ghulam Soldier Satya Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya |
Nominees and Winners of Filmfare Award for Best Director 2000s
| Filmfare Awards | Year | Nomnees & Winner | Film Name |
| 45th | 2000 | + Sanjay Leela Bhansali Subhash Ghai Mahesh Manjekar David Dhawan John Matthew Matthan | Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam Taal Vaastav Biwi No. 1 Sarfarosh |
| 46th | 2001 | + Rakesh Roshan Adtiya Chopra Mansoor Khan Dharmesh Darshan Vidhu Vinod Chopra | Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai Mohabbatein Josh Dhadkan Mission Kashmir |
| 47th | 2002 | + Ashutosh Gowarikar Santosh Sivan Farhan Akhtar Anil Sharma Karan Johar | Lagaan Ashoka Dil Chahta Hai Gadar: Ek Prem Katha Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham |
| 48th | 2003 | + Sanjay Leela Bhansali Abbas-Mustan Vikram Bhatt Sanjay Gupta Ram Gopal Varma | Devdas Humraaz Raaz Kaante Company |
| 49th | 2004 | + Rakesh Roshan Satish Kaushik Ram Gopal Varma J. P. Dutta Nikhil Advani Rajkumar Hirani | Koi Mil Gaya Tere Naam Bhoot LOC Kargil Kal Ho Naa Ho Munna Bhai MBBS |
| 50th | 2005 | + Kunal Kohli Yash Chopra Rajkumar Santoshi Farha Khan Farhan Akhtar Ashutosh Gowarikar | Hum Tum Veer-Zaara Khaaki Main Hoon Na Lakshya Swades |
| 51st | 2006 | + Sanjay Leela Bansali Pradeep Sarkar Ram Gopal Varma Nagesh Kukunoor Madhur Bhandarkar | Black Parineeta Sarkar Iqbal Page 3 |
| 52nd | 2007 | + Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra Rakesh Roshan Sanjay Gadhvi Vishal Bhardwaj Rajkumar Hirani Karan Johar | Rang De Basanti Krrish Doom 2 Omkara Lage Raho Munna Bhai Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna |
| 53rd | 2008 | + Aamir Khan Mani Ratnam Farah Khan Imtiaz Ali Shimti Amin Anurag Basu | Taare Zameen Par Guru Om Shanti Om Jab We Met Chak De India Life In A Metro |
| 54th | 2009 | + Ashutosh Gowarikar Neeraj Pandey Abhishek Kapoor Madhur Bhandarkar A.R Murugadoss Aditya Chopra | Jodhaa Akbar A wednesday Rock On Fashion Ghajini Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi |
Nominees and Winners of Filmfare Award for Best Director 2010s
| Filmfare Awards | Year | Nomnees & Winner | Film Name |
| 55th | 2010 | + Rajkumar Hirani R. Balki Anurag Kashyap Imtiaz Ali Vishal Bhardwaj Ayan Mukerji | 3 Idiots Paa Dev. D Love Aaj Kal Kaminey Wake Up Sid |
| 56th | 2011 | + Karan Johar Abhinav Kashyap Manish Sharma Sanjay Leela Bansali Vikrmaditya Motwane | My Name Is Khan Dabangg Band Baaza Baaraat Guzaarish Udaan |
| 57th | 2012 | + Zoya Akhtar Farhan Akhtar Imtiaz Ali Milan Luthria Raj Kumar Gupta | Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara Don 2 Rockstar The Dirty Picture No One Killed Jessica |
| 58th | 2013 | + Sujoy Ghosh Anurag Basu Shoojit Sircar Gauri Shinde Anurag Kashyap | Kahaani Barfi Vicky Donor English Vinglish Gangs of Wasseypur |
| 59th | 2014 | + Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra Abhishek Kapoor Rohit Shetty Anand L. Rai Ayan Mukerji Sanjay Leela Bhansali | Bhaag Milkha Bhaag Kai Po Che Chennai Express Raanjhanaa Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ras-Leela |
| 60th | 2015 | + Vikas Bahl Anurag Kashyap Rajkumar Hirani Vishal Bhardwaj Abhishek Varman | Queen Ugly PK Haider 2 States |
| 61st | 2016 | +Sanjay Leela Bansali Shoojit Sircar Meghna Gulzar Sriram Raghavan Kabir Khan Anand L. Rai | Bajirao Mastani Piku Talwar Badlapur Bajrangi Bhaijaan Tanu Weds Manu Returns |
| 62nd | 2017 | + Nitesh Tiwari Ram Madhvani Shakun Batra Abhishek Chaubey Ali Abbas Zafar Karan Johar | Dangal Neerja Kapoor & Sons Udta Punjab Sultan Ae Dil Hai Mushkil |
| 63rd | 2018 | + Ashwini Iyer Tiwari Advait Chandan Saket Chaudhary Shashank Khaitan Shree Narayan Singh | Bareilly Ki Barfi Secret Superstar Hindi Medium Badrinath Ki Dulhania Toilet: Ek Prem Katha |
| 64th | 2019 | + Meghna Gulzar Amar Kaushik Rajkumar Hirani Sriram Raghavan Amit Sharma Sanjay Leela Bansali | Raazi Stree Sanju Andhadhun Badhaai Ho Padmaavat |
Nominees and Winners of Filmfare Award for Best Director 2020
| Filmfare Awards | Year | Nomnees & Winner | Film Name |
| 65th | 2020 | + Zoya Akhtar Siddharth Anand Nitesh Tiwari Jagan Shakti Aditya Dhar | Gully Boy War Chhichhore Mission Mangal Uri: The Surgical Strick |
| 66th | 2021 | +Om Raut Anurag Basu Anubhav Sinha Shoojit Sircar Sharan Sharma | Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior Ludo Thappad Gulabo Sitabo Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl |
