R. V. Udayakumar is a veteran Tamil film director, who worked predominantly in the 1990s, making films including Yejaman and Chinna Gounder.
Udayakumar was born to an agricultural family in a village called Mullaipalayam near Mettupalayam. His father is Venkatasamy and mother is Kannammal. He graduated with P. U. C from govt Arts and science College and studied BSc in Coimbatore. He joined the Madras Film Institute to pursue a diploma in direction. During the course, Udayakumar directed various short films.