Priyadarshan Soman Nair (born 30 January 1957) is an Indian film director and screenwriter. He has worked primarily in Malayalam and Hindi cinema since 1982, directing over 98 films in multiple Indian languages, with notable works in Tamil and Telugu. Known for his memorable comedic films, he has received several accolades, including three National Film Awards, multiple Kerala State Film Awards, and the Padma Shri in 2012. Most of his Hindi films are remakes of Malayalam films, some of which Priyadarshan helmed both versions.

He began his cinematic journey in the early 1980s, primarily working in Malayalam cinema. He directed several notable films during this period, including Mazha Peyyunnu Maddalam Kottunnu (1986), Thalavattam (1986), Vellanakalude Nadu (1988), Chithram (1988), Vandanam (1989), and Kilukkam (1991). Throughout the 1990s, he continued directing successful films such as Abhimanyu (1991), Mithunam (1993), Thenmavin Kombath (1994), Kaalapaani (1996), Chandralekha (1997), and Megham (1999).

While working in Malayalam cinema, Priyadarshan also made his foray into Bollywood with Gardish (1994) and Virasat (1997), both of which were critically acclaimed. In the 2000s, he gained widespread recognition in Bollywood for his Hindi adaptations of Malayalam films, particularly in the comedy genre. Some of his most notable Bollywood films include Hera Pheri (2000), Hungama (2003), Hulchul (2004), Garam Masala (2005), Bhagam Bhag (2006), Chup Chup Ke (2006), Dhol (2007), De Dana Dan (2009), and Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2008).

Priyadarshan received his early education at the Government Model School in Thiruvananthapuram, and later a Master of Arts in Philosophy from University College Thiruvananthapuram. His father, a college librarian, nurtured his love for literature, which led to a passion for storytelling. He was an avid reader in his teens, and during college, he began writing short plays and skits for All India Radio. He was influenced by the films of director P. Venu. His friends during this time included Mohanlal, M. G. Sreekumar, Suresh Kumar, Sanal Kumar, Jagadish, Maniyanpilla Raju, and Ashok Kumar. Mohanlal entered the film industry, and his friends followed him to Chennai in search of opportunities. With Mohanlal's help, Priyadarshan worked as an assistant scriptwriter on a few films and began writing his own scripts, some of which became successful. Eventually, he returned to Kerala.

Though he initially aspired to become a cricketer, an eye injury shifted his focus toward filmmaking.

Priyadarshan has been active in Indian cinema since 1984 as a director and screenwriter, directing over 95 films across Malayalam, Tamil, Hindi, and Telugu.

In 1984, Priyadarshan made his directorial debut with Poochakkoru Mookkuthi, a slapstick comedy produced by his friends Suresh Kumar and Sanal Kumar, with financial backing from Thiruvenkadam. Mohanlal, who had become a well-known actor by then, starred alongside Shankar as the parallel lead. The film received critical acclaim and became a commercial success, running for 100 days in Kerala theaters.

Following this success, Priyadarshan continued making comedies, directing Odaruthammava Aalariyam and Onnanam Kunnil Oradi Kunnil. He then experimented with a family thriller, Parayanumvayya Parayathirikkanumvayya, starring Mammootty and Shankar. His first film without Mohanlal, Punnaram Cholli Cholli, was followed by Boeing Boeing and Aram + Aram = Kinnaram, both of which were well received.