Hemanth M. Rao (born September 4, 1983) is an Indian film director, screenwriter, and producer who works primarily in Kannada cinema.

He made his directorial debut with the drama Godhi Banna Sadharana Mykattu (2016), which he also wrote. The film was remade in Tamil as 60 Vayadhu Maaniram (2018), with Rao credited for the original story. In 2018, he co-wrote the screenplay for the Hindi black comedy thriller Andhadhun, winning the National Film Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.