Prema Karanth (15 August 1936 – 29 October 2007) was an Indian theatre personality and the first-ever woman film-maker of Kannada cinema. She was the wife of B. V. Karanth and was known for the children's plays that she staged. She became the first ever woman director in Kannada cinema when she directed the film "Phaniyamma" (1983), which was based on a novel by M. K. Indira.
The writing of M. K. Indira inspired the work of the first female film-maker of Kannada cinema.
Prema Karanth was the first female film-maker of Kannada cinema and directed a film based on a book by M. K. Indira.