Rama Narayanan (3 April 1949 – 22 June 2014) was an Indian film director and producer. In the 1980s, he was known as a director who specialized in shooting commercial films in which animals played vital roles,^[2][3] while in the 1990s, several of his films were based on Hindu devotional subjects.^[4] He has also headed the Tamil Film Producers Council (TFPC) for three consecutive elections, before resigning in 2011.^[5][6][7] He died on 22 June 2014 at a Singapore hospital due to kidney-related ailments.^[8][9]

Narayanan came to Chennai intending to become a songwriter, but he became a dialogue writer for films. He and his friend M. A. Khaja started to write dialogues together under the pen name Ram-Rahim.^[7][10]

In 1976, Narayanan wrote his first story, screenplay and dialogue for the film Aasai Arubadhu Naal.^[7] He produced his first film Meenakshi Kungumam in 1977 and directed his first film Sumai in 1981.^[7][10] He also wrote the script for Chiranjeevi's film Punnami Naagu.^[11] His 50th film was Veeran Veluthambi, for which M. Karunanidhi wrote the story and dialogue. His 100th film was Thirupathi Ezhumalai Venkatesa.^[7]

In the 2010s, he finished the making of a comedy film titled Siva Poojaiyil Karadi with Shiva and Udhayathara starring, but the film did not have a theatrical release.^[12]

Narayanan was an MLA from the Karaikudi constituency in 1989 and the chairman of Iyal Isai Nataka Mandram in 1996.^[10] He has received the Kalaimamani award of the State Government.^[7][13]