Pawan Kumar (born 29 October 1982) is a renowned Indian film director, screenwriter, actor, and producer who primarily works in Kannada cinema. Known for his innovative storytelling and bold cinematic choices, he is one of the most influential voices in modern South Indian filmmaking. A theatre artist turned filmmaker, Pawan began his career writing acclaimed films like Manasaare (2009) and Pancharangi (2010) before making his directorial debut with Lifeu Ishtene (2011). He gained national recognition with the psychological thriller Lucia (2013) — a groundbreaking crowdfunded Kannada film that won the Audience Choice Award at the London Indian Film Festival and the Filmfare Award for Best Director (Kannada). Following Lucia, he directed and produced notable films including U Turn (2016), Ondu Motteya Kathe (2017), and the bilingual remake U Turn (2018) in Tamil and Telugu. In 2023, he made his Malayalam debut with Dhoomam, expanding his creative reach across multiple South Indian industries. Pawan has also directed acclaimed web series such as Leila (Netflix, 2019) and Kudi Yedamaithe (Aha, 2021), showcasing his versatility in both traditional and digital storytelling. As an actor, he has appeared in several Kannada films including Pancharangi, Lifeu Ishtene, Gultoo, and Gaalipata 2.