R. Sarath is an Indian film director and screenwriter. He started out as a documentary filmmaker before turning into feature film direction with the environmental drama Sayahnam (2000). The film went on to win numerous State and National Film Awards, including the Indira Gandhi Award for Best First Film of a Director. Sarath’s films are noted for weaving in pertinent social issues to the narrative, and have often been screened at international film festivals. Notable film credits include Sthithi (2002), the Hindi film The Desire: A Journey of a Woman (2011), Parudheesa (2012) and Swayam (2017). He has also directed the critically acclaimed documentary The Painted Epics, which is based on the life and times of renowned artist Raja Ravi Varma.