K. Rajan (25 February 1941 – 17 May 2026) was an Indian film producer and director who worked on Tamil films.
Early life and career K. Rajan was born on 25 February 1941. He began his career as a producer through the Tamil film, Brammacharigal (1983) starring Suresh. In 1991, he directed the film Namma Ooru Mariamma starring Nizhalgal Ravi and Sarathkumar, before working as a writer on Thangamana Thangachi (1991) for director Senthilnathan. For the films, he associated with Ganesh Cine Arts and music composers Shankar–Ganesh.
In 2000, Rajan took on the role of the president of Chennai Distributors Association. Rajan launched his son Prabhukanth as an actor in 2000, who acted in his first lead role through Aval Paavam (2000). Prabhukanth also featured as the antagonist in Doubles (2000), and later worked on Ninaikkatha Naalillai (2001), before making a return as a film director through LKG (2019). During the early 2000s, Rajan also worked on another project, Babu Ganesh's Kudumbam Oru Koiyil starring Ramki, although the project was later dropped.
In June 2005, director Rajan chose to shelve his proposed biopic of Sivakasi Jayalakshmi titled Niram Maraiya Rojakal starring Vindya. He then began working on a directorial project titled Unarchigal which would explore the life of adolescent youths and cast actresses Devayani and Sindhuri in the lead roles, alongside newcomer male actors. However a production delay meant that the film went through a change of cast and Rajan started the project with Abbas and Kunal.
Death On 17 May 2026, Rajan died by suicide after jumping into the Adyar River for unknown reasons. He was 85. The fire service recovered his body and an investigation is ongoing to determine the reason.
In the media K. Rajan attracted controversy for his statements on Tamil cinema.
In June 2001, Rajan was arrested for attacking fellow producer Keyaar.
In April 2019, at the launch of the soundtrack of the film Ettuthikkum Para (2020), Rajan threatened singer Chinmayi over her claims in the MeToo movement against Vairamuthu. At the same event, director Pa. Ranjith criticised Rajan's remarks. During a public speech in December 2019, he criticised actors Kamal Haasan and Dhanush, and directors Selvaraghavan and Gautham Vasudev Menon, for their loss-making films. He made directed reference to films such as Aayirathil Oruvan (2010) and Enai Noki Paayum Thota (2019). The following month, he spoke out against Nayanthara for charging a high remuneration for her films. In 2019 and 2020, he also publicly criticised Yogi Babu at the audio launch of Paramapadham Vilayattu (2021), Bharathirajaa for starting a rival producers' association, and the Animal Welfare Board of India for allegedly taking bribes.
Filmography As director, writer, and producer Year FilmCredited as Director Writer Producer 1983 Brammacharigal 1991 Namma Ooru Mariamma Thangamana Thangachi 1992 Chinna Poovai Killathe 2000 Doubles Aval Paavam 2001 Ninaikkatha Naalillai 2005 Unarchigal
As actor Year Film Role Notes 1987 Michael Raj 1989 Sonthakkaran Resident of Bharath Nagar 1992 Chinna Poovai Killathe 1998 Ulavuthurai Rajaram 2000 Doubles Cameo appearance En Sakhiye Sharma 2001 Kabadi Kabadi Veettoda Mappillai Producer 2005 Girivalam Wedding guest Aadhikkam Jhansi's father Sorry Enaku Kalyanamayidichu 2006 Unarchigal Ramesh and Amrutha's father 2008 Nadigai Director Titanic 2012 Idhayam Thiraiarangam 2016 Pagiri Politician 2017 Paambhu Sattai Shanmugam 2023 Thunivu Opposition leader Bakasuran Beemarasu's father and Divya's grandfather
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