The Zee Cine Award Best Director is chosen via the public of India. The winners are announced in March.
| 5 | Sanjay Leela Bhansali | |
| 2 | Rakesh Roshan, Karan Johar, Ayan Mukerji |
The winners are listed below:[1]
| Year | Director | Film | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Border | ||
| 1999 | Kuch Kuch Hota Hai | ||
| 2000 | Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam | ||
| 2001 | Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai | ||
| 2002 | Lagaan | ||
| 2003 | Devdas | ||
| 2004 | Koi... Mil Gaya | ||
| 2005 | Veer-Zaara | ||
| 2006 | Black | ||
| 2007 | Rang De Basanti | ||
| 2008 | Taare Zameen Par (Like Stars on Earth) | ||
| 2011 | My Name is Khan | ||
| 2012 | Rockstar | ||
| 2013 | Barfi! | ||
| 2014 | Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani | ||
| 2016 | Sanjay Leela Bhansali | Bajirao Mastani | |
| 2017 | Ram Madhvani | Neerja | |
| 2018 | Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari | Bareilly Ki Barfi | |
| 2019 | Sanjay Leela Bhansali | Padmaavat | |
| 2020 | Zoya Akhtar | Gully Boy | |
| 2023[2] | Ayan Mukerji | ||
| 2024[3] | Atlee | Jawan |