The following lists the National Film Award

National Film Awards

The National Film Awards is the most prominent film award ceremony in India. Established in 1954, it is administered, along with the International Film Festival of India and the Indian Panorama, by the Indian government's Directorate of Film Festivals since 1973.Every year, a national panel...

 (Silver Lotus Award) for Best Feature Film in Tamil. The year in the header refers to the date when the film was censored and submitted for the awards, without of regard of when the award was presented. Apart from the Silver Lotus Award "Certificate of Merit" was also given for few films.

Awards

Year	Film	Director	Link
2010	Thenmerku Paruvakaatru Thenmerku Paruvakaatru Thenmerku Paruvakatru is a 2010 Tamil drama film written and directed by Seenu Ramasamy and produced by Shibu Issac. It stars Saranya Ponvannan in her 100th film, Vijay Sethupathy and Vasundhra Chiyertra in the lead roles and released on 24 December 2010....	Seenu Ramasamy Seenu Ramasamy Seenu Ramasamy is a Tamil movie director.Coming from the stable of popular cinematographer and director Balu Mahendra, he understands life and has learnt his lessons well. His first movie was Koodal Nagar starring Bharath, Bhavana, and Sandhya...
2009	Pasanga Pasanga Pasanga is a 2009 Tamil film directed by debutant Pandiraj, who worked as an erstwhile assistant to Cheran. It stars numerous debutant child artists in the lead roles along with newcomer Vimal and Saroja fame Vega Tamotia in supporting roles...	Pandiraj Pandiraj Pandiraj is Tamil film director from India. His debut movie, Pasanga , was commercially successful and won several awards, including the National Film Award for Best Dialogue. He has worked as an assistant to director Cheran.-Personal life:...
2008	Vaaranam Aayiram	Gautham Menon Gautham Menon Gautham Vasudev Menon is an Indian film director and producer. Mainly working in Tamil cinema, he has also directed Hindi and Telugu films which are remakes of his Tamil films...
2007	Periyar Periyar (film) -External links:**...	Gnana Rajasekaran Gnana Rajasekaran Gnana Rajasekaran is an Indian filmmaker, screenwriter and playwright. His directional debut was ‘Mogamul’ in 1994 which won the Indra Gandhi Award for Best First Film. He has also created Bharathi and Periyar...
2006	Veyil Veyil Veyil is a 2006 Tamil-language film directed by Vasanthabalan. Bharath and Pasupathy are the heroes where Bhavana, Priyanka and Sriya Reddy plays the female leads.-Plot:...	Vasanthabalan Vasanthabalan -Career:The director began his career with Album, which failed at the box-office. His second film, produced by the prestigious S Pictures company, Veyil became a blockbuster and was shown as the Indian representative at Cannes in 2007...
2005	Aadum Koothu Aadum Koothu Aadum Koothu is a 2005 Tamil film directed by T. V. Chandran and starring Navya Nair, Cheran, Prakash Raj, Akil Kumar, Seeman and Manorama. The film premiered at various film festivals in 2005 but remained unreleased in theatres. Later, Zee Tamizh telecasted this film...	T. V. Chandran T. V. Chandran T. V. Chandran is an Indian filmmaker, script writer, and actor. He is most known for his art-house films which have references to history and undertones of politics and feminism...
2004	Navarasa Navarasa (film) Navarasa is a film directed by Santosh Sivan. The film is in Tamil, with English subtitles. It has met with a strong reception since its release, and has been shown at many film festivals across the world including the Singapore International Film Festival, the Pusan International Film Festival,...	Santosh Sivan Santosh Sivan Santosh Sivan is an Indian cinematographer, film director, and producer who has worked in Malayalam, Kannada, Tamil, and Hindi cinema....
2003	Iyarkai Iyarkai Iyarkai is an award-winning debut film in Tamil directed by S. P. Jananathan. N. K. Ekambaram, also a relatively newcomer in the field of cinematography, served as the film's cinematographer. The film stars Shaam, Arun Vijay, Kutti Radhika and Seema Biswas. This film was a low-budget production...	S. P. Jananathan
2002	Kannathil Muthamittal Kannathil Muthamittal Kannathil Muthamittal is a 2002 Tamil drama film directed by Mani Ratnam. It stars P. S. Keerthana, R. Madhavan, Simran, Nandita Das, Pasupathy, J. D. Chakravarthy and Prakash Raj. The film's score and soundtrack were composed by A. R. Rahman. The film's title is a famous phrase from a poem...	Mani Ratnam Mani Ratnam Mani Ratnam is an Indian filmmaker, screenwriter and producer. He made his directorial debut with the Kannada film Pallavi Anu Pallavi starring Anil Kapoor in 1983...
2001	Ooruku Nooruper Ooruku Nooruper Ooruku Nooruper is a 2001 Tamil film by Bhimsingh Lenin, based on a 1976 novel by Jayakanthan. Its story follows Balan , a young artist who becomes disillusioned by the current political situation of his society...	B. Lenin B. Lenin Lenin is a well-known editor, writer and director in Malayalam, Tamil and Hindi films. He is the son of yesteryears film maker, editor and director A. Bhimsingh. He has won National Film Award for Best Directing for the Tamil film Ooruku Nooruper in 2002 and National Film Award for Best Editing for...
2000	Bharati	Gnana Rajasekaran Gnana Rajasekaran Gnana Rajasekaran is an Indian filmmaker, screenwriter and playwright. His directional debut was ‘Mogamul’ in 1994 which won the Indra Gandhi Award for Best First Film. He has also created Bharathi and Periyar...
1999	Sethu	Bala Bala (director) Bala is an Indian film director, screenwriter, and producer, working in Tamil cinema. Bala is frequently credited with having "revolutionized Tamil cinema", through his realistic, dark and disturbing films that have garnered high critical acclaim...
1998	Housefull Housefull (1999 film) Housefull is a 1999 Tamil film directed by Parthiban. The film stars himself, Vikram and Suvalakshmi in the lead roles. The film's score and soundtrack are composed by Ilaiyaraaja.-Plot:...	R. Parthiban
1997	The Terrorist	Santosh Sivan Santosh Sivan Santosh Sivan is an Indian cinematographer, film director, and producer who has worked in Malayalam, Kannada, Tamil, and Hindi cinema....
1996	Kadhal Kottai Kadhal Kottai Kadhal Kottai is a 1996 Tamil film directed by Agathiyan, in which Ajith Kumar and Devayani play lead roles, apart from Heera Rajgopal, Thalaivasal Vijay, and Karan who played important roles....	Agaththian
1995	Anthimanthaarai Anthimanthaarai Anthimanthaarai is a period arthouse Tamil language film released in 1996. The film has Vijayakumar, Jayasudha in lead roles. Its produced by Chandraleela Bharathiraja and Thilaka Ganesh The director of this film is Bharathiraja. The film won the National Award for the Best Feature Film in Tamil...	Bharathiraja Bharathiraja P. Bharathiraja , is a critically acclaimed South Indian filmmaker.He displayed a story-teller's potential from an early age. Bharathiraja is known for his realistic and sensitive portrayal of village-life in his movies....
1994	Nammavar Nammavar Nammavar is a 1994 Tamil language film K. S. Sethumadhavan and starring Kamal Haasan and Gouthami in lead roles.Kamal Hassan plays a revolutionary lecturer/vice principal of a college. The movie is about how he tries to reform the downtrodden college by his initiatives and its consequences. The...	K. S. Sethumadhavan K. S. Sethumadhavan K. S. Sethumadhavan is an Indian director of Malayalam films. He has also directed films in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu. Since the early 1960s he has directed over 60 movies...
1993	Mahanadi Mahanadi (film) Mahanadi is a 1994 Tamil Indian film featuring Kamal Hassan, Sukanya, and Cochin Haneefa. It portrays the grief of a humble village man, who sees his family, property being ruined.It also depicts the growing problem of "Child Sex workers", where young girls are targeted and turned into...	Santhana Bharathi Santhana Bharathi Santhana Bharathi is a popular Tamil language film celebrity in Kollywood, the Tamil film industry in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. He has directed several films such as Guna and the National Film Award winner, Mahanadhi...
1992	Thevar Magan Thevar Magan Thevar Magan is a 1992 Indian Tamil film produced by, written by, and starring Kamal Hassan in the title role. It was directed by Bharathan and also stars Sivaji Ganesan, Nasser, Revathi and Gouthami. The film met with a very strong critical and commercial reception upon release. The film score...	Bharathan Bharathan Bharathan was an Indian film director, artist, lyricist, music director, sculptor, poster designer, editor and art director. Bharathan is noted for being the founder of a new school of film making in Malayalam cinema, along with Padmarajan, in the 1980s, which created films that were widely...
1991	Vanna Vanna Pookkal	Balu Mahendra Balu Mahendra Balanathan "Balu" Mahendran is an Indian filmmaker, screenwriter, and cinematographer widely regarded as part of the first in a wave of directors and screenwriters from the Chennai film industry who revitalised Tamil cinema...
1990	Anjali Anjali (film) Anjali is a 1990 Tamil-language Indian feature film directed by Mani Ratnam, starring Raghuvaran, Revathi, Prabhu, Tarun, Shruthi and Shamili. The musical film's score and soundtrack is composed by Ilaiyaraaja, being his 500th movie. Anjali is about a dying mentally disabled child, and the...	Mani Ratnam Mani Ratnam Mani Ratnam is an Indian filmmaker, screenwriter and producer. He made his directorial debut with the Kannada film Pallavi Anu Pallavi starring Anil Kapoor in 1983...
1989	Pudhea Padhai	R. Parthiban
1988	NA	NA
1987	Veedu Veedu Veedu is a 1988 Tamil drama film written and directed by Balu Mahendra, starring Archana, which depicts the difficulties of a middle class family in building a house. Mahendra, besides directing, worked as the script writer, cinematographer and editor as well. Featuring musical score by...	Balu Mahendra Balu Mahendra Balanathan "Balu" Mahendran is an Indian filmmaker, screenwriter, and cinematographer widely regarded as part of the first in a wave of directors and screenwriters from the Chennai film industry who revitalised Tamil cinema...
1986	Mouna Raagam Mouna Raagam Mouna Raagam is a 1986 Tamil film directed by filmmaker Mani Ratnam. The score and soundtrack are composed by Ilayaraja, and the film's cinematography is by P. C. Sriram. This movie turned out to be an important milestone in Tamil cinema and yielded Mani Ratnam the much needed breakthrough. The...	Mani Ratnam Mani Ratnam Mani Ratnam is an Indian filmmaker, screenwriter and producer. He made his directorial debut with the Kannada film Pallavi Anu Pallavi starring Anil Kapoor in 1983...
1985	Muthal Mariyathai Muthal Mariyathai Mudhal Mariyadhai is a Tamil feature film directed by Bharathiraja. The film's score and soundtrack are composed by Ilaiyaraaja. The film was critically received upon release.-Plot:...	Bharathiraja Bharathiraja P. Bharathiraja , is a critically acclaimed South Indian filmmaker.He displayed a story-teller's potential from an early age. Bharathiraja is known for his realistic and sensitive portrayal of village-life in his movies....
1984	Achamillai Achamillai Achamillai Achamillai Achamillai Achamillai is a 1984 Indian Tamil language drama film directed by K. Balachander starring Delhi Ganesh, Rajesh and Saritha.- Soundtrack :...	K. Balachander K. Balachander K. Balachander is an Indian film director, screenwriter and producer. Balachander is known for his distinct film-making style. His films analyse unusual or complicated interpersonal relationships and social themes. He has directed nearly 80 films and has worked in 100 films either as director or...
1983	Oru Indhiya Kanavu	Komal Swaminathan
1982	Ezhavathu Manithan Ezhavathu Manithan Ezhavathu Manithan is a Tamil film directed by K. Hariharan. The film's score and soundtrack are composed by L. Vaidhyanathan...	K. Hariharan
1981	Thaneer Thaneer Thaneer Thaneer Thaneer Thaneer is a 1981 Indian Tamil language drama film directed by K. Balachander starring Saritha, Shunmugham, V. K. Veeraswami and Radha Ravi. The film, based on a story by Komal Swaminathan was filmed by B. S. Lokanathan and featured music by M. S. Viswanathan...	K. Balachander K. Balachander K. Balachander is an Indian film director, screenwriter and producer. Balachander is known for his distinct film-making style. His films analyse unusual or complicated interpersonal relationships and social themes. He has directed nearly 80 films and has worked in 100 films either as director or...
1980	Nenjathai Killathe	J. Mahendran J. Mahendran J. Mahendran is a film director in Tamil film industry, who is best known for his true narration of screenplay and making.Mahendran made an immediate impact with his first film Mullum Malarum . His next film Udhiri Pookal was based on a short story written by Pudumaipithan and firmly established...
1979	Pasi Pasi Pasi is a settlement near the coast of Sandaun Province, Papua New Guinea, to the west of the province capital of Vanimo. It is four hours walk from the village of Krisa, of which it is an offshoot. Pasi is the largest I'saka-speaking settlement outside of Krisa....	Durai
1978	NA	NA
1977	Agraharathil Kazhuthai Agraharathil Kazhuthai Agraharathil Kazhutai is a 1977 Tamil language film directed by avant-garde filmmaker John Abraham.John's second film, Agraharathil Kazhutai made in Tamil, is a hard hitting satire on the brahminical bigotry and superstition, where a donkey becomes the central character.-Plot:A donkey strays into...	John Abraham
1976	NA	NA
1975	Apoorva Raagangal Apoorva Raagangal Apoorva Raagangal is a 1975 Tamil film directed by K. Balachander. This film was controversial upon release as it examines relationships between people with wide age gaps, which challenged Indian social mores. The film went on to win the National Film Awards in 1976...	K. Balachander K. Balachander K. Balachander is an Indian film director, screenwriter and producer. Balachander is known for his distinct film-making style. His films analyse unusual or complicated interpersonal relationships and social themes. He has directed nearly 80 films and has worked in 100 films either as director or...
1974	NA	NA
1973	Dikkatra Parvathi Dikkatra Parvathi Dikkatra Parvathi is a 1974 Tamil language film starring Sreekanth and Lakshmi in the lead roles. Written by Singeetam Srinivasa Rao. The movie was adapted from a novel by the same name written by C. Rajagopalachari.-Plot:...	Singeetham Srinivasa Rao
1972	Pattikada Pattanama Pattikada Pattanama Pattikada Pattanama is a 1972 Indian Tamil language film starring Sivaji Ganesan, Jayalalitha and Manorama. Pattikada Pattanama played for 189 days in theaters and turned out to be one of the box office hits of year 1972.-Cast:...	P. Madhavan P. Madhavan P. Madhavan is a Tamil film director and film producer in Tamil cinema in 1960s and 1970s. Madhavan has directed 49 films and produced 39 films under the banner Arun Prasad Movies.-Career:...
1971	Veguli Penn
1970	Raman Ethanai Ramanadi	P. Madhavan P. Madhavan P. Madhavan is a Tamil film director and film producer in Tamil cinema in 1960s and 1970s. Madhavan has directed 49 films and produced 39 films under the banner Arun Prasad Movies.-Career:...
1969	Iru Kodugal Iru Kodugal Iru Kodugal is a Tamil language film directed by the veteran director K. Balachander and released in 1969. The film starred lead actors in the Tamil industry: Gemini Ganesan, Sowcar Janaki, Jayanthi, Nagesh, V.S...	K. Balachander K. Balachander K. Balachander is an Indian film director, screenwriter and producer. Balachander is known for his distinct film-making style. His films analyse unusual or complicated interpersonal relationships and social themes. He has directed nearly 80 films and has worked in 100 films either as director or...
1968	Thillana Mohanambal	A. P. Nagarajan A. P. Nagarajan Akkamappettai Paramasivan Nagarajan is a veteran Tamil film director, who set a trend in film making in Tamil cinema in 1960s.-Career Life:...
1967	Aalayam	Thirumalai and Mahalingam
1966	Ramu Ramu (film) Ramu is a 1968 Telugu Drama film produced by AVM Productions and directed by A. C. Trilogchander. The soundtrack is very good with music score provided by R. Goverdhanam and songs rendered by Ghantasala Venkateswara Rao and P. Susheela, most memorable one Raa Raa Krishnayya.-Plot:The story is...
1965	Kuzhandaiyum Deivamum Kuzhandaiyum Deivamum Kuzhandaiyum Deivamum is a 1965 Tamil film directed by the duo Krishnan-Panju, starring Jaishankar, Jamuna and Kutty Padmini. A Hollywood adaptation of The Parent Trap , the film tells a story of twin girls bringing together their separated parents. The film, produced by AVM Productions and...	R. Krishnan
1964	Kai Kodutha Dhievam
1963	Naanum Oru Penn	A. C. Trilokchander
1962	Nenjil Oor Alayam	C. V. Sridhar C. V. Sridhar C Sridhar was a South Indian screenwriter and film director. Sridhar hailed from Chitthamur, a village near Madurantakam, Tamil Nadu. He studied at St. Joseph's Higher Secondary School , where he began writing and staging plays while he was in Grade 7. He entered films as a dialogue writer when...
1961	Kappalottiya Thamizhan	B. R. Panthalu
1960	Parthiban Kanavu Parthiban Kanavu (1960 film) Parthiban Kanavu is a 1960 Black-and-white Historical fiction multilingual directed by D. Yoganand. The film starred Gemini Ganesan and Vyjayanthimala in the lead with S. V. Ranga Rao, Ashokan, T. S. Balaiah, Malathi, Ragini and S. V. Subbiah forms an ensemble cast. The film was based on 1942...	D. Yoganand
1959	Bagapirivinai	A. Bhimsingh A. Bhimsingh A. Bhimsingh or Bhim Singh was a film maker, producer, editor and writer . He was born on October 15, 1924. His film career started as an assistant editor with the film making duo Krishnan-Panju, in the late 1940s. His directorial debut was with Ammaiyappan , he directed several movies thereafter....
1955
1954	Malaikkallan Malaikkallan Malaikkallan is a Tamil language film starring M. G. Ramachandran in the lead role. The film was released on 22 July 1954, and was "an astounding success". It was the first Tamil film to win a President's Silver Medal.-Production:...

Certificate of Merit

Year	First Best Film	Second Best Film	Third Best Film	References
1954	Andha Naal Andha Naal Andha Naal is a 1954 Tamil crime mystery film directed by Veenai S. Balachander. It is arguably the first film-noir in Tamil cinema and is the first Tamil film to be made without songs. The film was inspired by the 1950 Akira Kurosawa film Rashômon...	Ethir Paarathathu	Saradha
1955	Mangayar Thilakam
1956	Kula Deivam
1957	Mudhalali
1958	Thangapadumai	Annaiyin Anai
1959		Kalyana Parisu
1960	Paadhai Theriyudhu Paar	Kalathur Kannamma Kalathur Kannamma Kalathur Kannamma is a 1959 Tamil language film directed by A. Bhimsingh. This was the first movie that starred iconic Indian actor Kamal Haasan. Kamal Haasan entered the film world at the age of four and this movie won him the President’s Gold Medal. The film's cast includes Gemini Ganesan and...
1961	Paasa Malar	Kumudham
1962		Annai Annai Annai is a small village in the Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo Region of Guyana. Annai stands at an altitude of 95 metres , at the edge of the Rupununi savannah, where the cattle trail to the Atlantic coast begins. It is nestled in the foothills of the Pakaraima Mountains, and is close to the...
1963	Karpagam Karpagam Karpagam is a 1963 Tamil film starring Gemini Ganesan, Savithri, Muthuraman, and K.R. Vijaya. Directed by K.S. Gopalakrishnan, the film depicts the life of a young girl, Karpagam and shows tragedies, difficulties, and love. It was released on November 15, 1963...	Karnan
1964	Pazhani	Server Sundaram Server Sundaram - External links :*...
1965	Thiruvilayadal Thiruvilayadal (1965 film) Thiruvilayadal is a 1965 Tamil feature film directed by A.P. Nagarajan. The cast included Sivaji Ganesan, R. Muthuraman, Savitri, Nagesh, Manorama, K. B. Sundarambal, T. R. Mahalingam and T. S. Balaiah...