Vinaya Prasad

Her lead role and breakthrough came with the comedy film Ganeshana Maduve in 1990. The film was a huge commercial success and marked her shift from small roles to leading roles in Kannada cinema. She continued to appear in successful comedy films such as Gauri Ganesha (1991), Neenu Nakkare Haalu Sakkare (1991), Yarigu Helbedi (1994) and Kona Eedaithe (1995). Her debut in Malayalam cinema came with the critically acclaimed Perumthachan (1991) directed by Ajayan. This was followed by a string of performance-oriented roles in films that include Aathanka (1993), Manichithrathazhu (1993), Karulina Koogu (1994), Pidakkozhi Koovunna Noottandu (1994), Thumbida Mane (1995) and Krishnagudiyil Oru Pranayakalathu (1997). Her portrayal as a Nepali immigrant in her Tamil debut, Thaikulame Thaikulame (1995) brought her widespread recognition. After 2000, Vinaya switched over to performing supporting characters across all the South Indian language films. Apart from films, Vinaya has established herself in television series and reality shows.

• Name — Vinaya Prasad • Birth Name — Vinaya Bhat • Birthplace — Udupi, Karnataka, India • Occupation — Actress • Years Active — 1986–present

Vinaya Prasad was born on 22 November 1965 in Udupi, Karnataka. Her father S. Krishna Bhat was a divisional officer with the LIC and her mother Vatsala worked as a school teacher. Vinaya often owes her clear diction and pronunciation to her father who used to narrate a story every day during her childhood. She completed her schooling from St. Cecily's Convent in Udupi and graduation in Commerce from Poornaprajna College. While she was still in college, she got offered her first film assignment.

Vinaya made her film debut with a small role in G. V. Iyer's Madhwacharya in 1986 where she played the role of one of the three queens of the King. She worked in smaller character roles before playing the leading lady in Ganeshana Maduve opposite Anant Nag. The film was a huge success and she went on to act in many more films in not only Kannada but also Malayalam, Telugu and Tamil. Some of her notable Kannada films include Ganeshana Maduve, Neenu Nakkare Haalu Sakkare, Gauri Ganesha, Mysore Jaana and Suryodaya. She starred in a supporting role in Manichitrathazhu, opposite Mohanlal. In Tamil, she has acted as the heroine in the movie Thaikulame Thaikulame with Pandiarajan and Urvashi. In Telugu, her movies include Indra, Donga Dongadi and Andhrudu, for which her performance won a lot of praise. After a successful career as a lead actress, Vinaya switched over to character roles. She is also an effective compere and singer. She has compered several important events like Vasantha Habba in Nrityagram and the annual Dasara procession in Mysore. She has starred in the longest-running and most popular daily soap opera on Malayalam TV, Sthree, which aired from late 1998 to mid 2000 on Asianet television channel. The popularity of this soap made her a household name among Malayalis. In 2006, she returned to the Malayalam small screen to reprise her role as Indu in the sequel to the original Sthree, also named, Sthree.

Vinaya is from the Udupi district in Karnataka and was raised in Udupi. In 1988, she married V. R. K. Prasad, a director and editor of Kannada films, who died at a young age. In 2002, Vinaya married Jyotiprakash after they met during the making of the television series Sanjeevani. The couple currently resides in Bangalore with her husband and daughter Prathama Prasad. Jyotiprakash has a son named Jai Atre, from his previous marriage, who is into film direction and screenwriting in Mumbai.

• Serials List of Vinaya Prasad television serials credits • Year — Series — Role — Language — Channel • 1987 — Bisilu Kudure — Kannada • 1990 — Badukkinalli Ondu Tiruvu — Savithri • 1991 — Kavalu Dari • 1998 — Shakthi • 1998–2000 — Sthree — Indu — Malayalam — Asianet • 2000–2001 — Sthree (Part 2) • 2002 — Sarada — Sarada • 2003 — Sthree — Indu — Kannada — Asianet Kaveri • 2004 — Nanda Gokula • 2005–2007 — Sthree (Sequel to Part 1) — Indu — Malayalam — Asianet • 2007–2008 — Priyamanasi — Manasi — Surya TV • 2009 — Sreemahabhagavatham — Kunti — Asianet • 2010 — Devimahatymam — Devamma • Anupama — Anupama — Kannada — Zee Kannada • 2010–2013 — Bangaara — Kanchana — Udaya TV • 2011 — Devimahatymam — Shivani — Malayalam — Asianet • 2013 — Nithyothsava — Pratibha Guntur — Kannada — Zee Kannada • 2014–2015 — Balamani — Sumangala a.k.a. Azhakathamma — Malayalam — Mazhavil Manorama • 2016 — Ponnambili — Appu mash's wife (Photo Presence) • Sundari — Nandhini — Kannada — Udaya TV • 2017–2018 — Ammuvinte Amma — Padmaja — Malayalam — Mazhavil Manorama • 2018–2024 — Paaru — Akhilandeshwari — Kannada — Zee Kannada • 2020 — Roja — Renuka Devi (cameo) — Tamil — Sun TV • Thinkalkalamaan — Kalamandalam Umadevi — Malayalam — Surya TV • 2020–2021 — Anbe Vaa — Annalakshmi — Tamil — Sun TV • 2024 — Snehapoorvam Shyama — Malayalam — Zee Keralam • Shows List of Vinaya Prasad television show credits • Year — Title — Role — Language — Channel • 2007, 2008, 2009 — Star Singer — Celebrity judge — Malayalam — Asianet • 2010 — Nanna Haadu Nannadu — Host — Kannada — Zee Kannada • 2011 — Hairomax Mrs.Kerala — Judge — Malayalam — UT TV • 2012 — Sakhiyare Sakath Maathu — Host — Kannada — Udaya TV • 2013 — Amma • 2015 — Kitchen Galatta — Contestant — Tamil — Sun TV • 2018 — Comedy Stars Season 2 — Judge — Malayalam — Asianet • Comedy Super Night — Herself — Flowers TV • 2019 — Weekend with Ramesh Season 4 — Guest — Kannada — Zee Kannada • 2020 — Thutta Mutta — Participant — Udaya TV • 2021 — Red Carpet — Mentor — Malayalam — Amrita TV • 2022 — Panam Tharum Padam — Participant — Malayalam — Mazhavil Manorama • Jodi No 1 — Akhilandeshwari — Kannada — Zee Kannada • 2022 — Flowers Oru Kodi — Participant — Malayalam — Flowers TV • 2023 — Enteamma Superaa — Judge — Malayalam — Mazhavil Manorama

List of Vinaya Prasad Kannada film credits • Year — Title — Roles — Notes • 1986 — Madhwacharya — Credited as Vinaya Bhat • 1990 — Ganeshana Maduve — Aadhi Lakshmi • Policena Hendthi • Baare Nanna Muddina Rani — Doctor • College Hero • 1991 — Gauri Ganesha — Sarasu • Neenu Nakkare Haalu Sakkare — Ramya • Ide Police Belt • Kiladi Gandu — Lakshmi • Shwethagni • Gururayara Soththu • Nayaka • 1992 — Mysore Jaana — Asha • Midida Shruthi • Rajadhi Raja • Police File • Police Lockup • Shakthi Yukthi — Seetha • Goonda Rajya • Agni Panjara — Vinaya • 1993 — Dakshayini — Sujatha • Bhavya Bharatha • Gundana Maduve • Sarkarakke Saval • Aathanka — Vaani • Suryodaya — Pramila • 1994 — Karulina Koogu — Sharada • Mouna Raga — Lavanya • Nanendu Nimmavane • Samrat — Special appearance • Yarigu Helbedi • Mahashakthi Maaye — Soubhagya • Anuraga Spandana • Durga Pooje • 1995 — Kalyanotsava • Kona Edaithe — Goddess of Justice • Shiva • Thumbida Mane • Thavaru Beegaru — Lakshmi • Mutthinantha Hendathi • Lady Police • 1996 — Mahathai • Sowbhagya Devathe • Central Jail • Hrudaya kallaru — Vinaya • Sipayi • Thali Pooje — Punya • Sathya Sangharsha • Mouna Raga • Balina Jyothi — Janaki • GodFather • Anuraga Spandana • 1997 — Laali — Guest appearance • Kalla Banda Kalla • Yuva Shakthi • Baalida Mane — Archana • Bhoomi Geetha • Mangala Sutra — Seetha • Raaja • Manava 2022 • 1998 — Andaman • Preethsod Thappa — Bhavani • Daayadi • Hoomale — Vinaya — Cameo • 1999 — Tuvvi Tuvvi Tuvvi • Maha Edabidangi — Vinaya • Chandrodaya — Lawyer • 2000 — Independence Day • 2001 — Bannada Hejje — Seetha • Baava Baamaida — Lekshmi • 2004 — Love • Nimma Preethiya Huduga • Srirampura Police Station • Monda • 2005 — Rishi — Lekshmi • Nenapirali • 2006 — Hatavadi • Dattha • Ashoka • Shree • Student • 2007 — Thayiya Madilu • Aa Dinagalu — Chethan's mother • Krishna — Anjali's mother • Ugadi • Ee Preethi Yeke Bhoomi Melide — Guest appearance • 2008 — Ravi Shastry • Honganasu • Ganesha Mathe Bandha • Satya in Love • Sangaathi • Chikkamagaloora Chikka Mallige • PUC • Hrudaya I Miss You • Huttidare Kannada Nadalli Huttabeku • Jnana Jyothi Sri Siddaganga — dubbing • Indra • Bombaat — Anand's mother • Shankara Punyakoti — Parvathy • 2009 — Ghauttham • 10th Class A Sec • Shivamani • 2010 — Aptharakshaka — Gowri's mother • Shankar IPS • Cheluveye Ninne Nodalu — Sumithra • Nee Bandu Ninthaga • Pareekshe • Parole • Modalasala • 2011 — Krishnan Marriage Story • Veera Babu • I Am Sorry Mathe Banni Preethsona • 2012 — Shakthi • 18th Cross • Paper Dhoni • Adhikara • Parie • Sagar • 2013 — Madarangi • Shravani Subramanya • Sri Aadiparashakthi • Hara • Sakkare — Vasundhara • 2014 — Preethi Geethi Ityadi • Central Jail • Abhimanyu — Nandhini's mother • 2015 — RX Soori • Geetha Bangle Store • Vamshodharaka • 2016 — Tyson • Shivalinga — Satya's mother • Madhura Swapna • Kalpana 2 — Mary • Akshathe • Vaishnavi — Saraswathi • Brahma Vishnu Maheshwara • 2017 — March 22 — Mumtaj • Dhvani • Lakshminarayanara Prapanchane Bere — Lekshmi — Also actor/director • 2018 — Rajaratha — Usha • Viraaj • 2019 — Khanana • 2020 — Kaanadante Maayavadanu — Nirupama • 2022 — Maaraya • September 13 — Dr. Shubha • Vijayanand — Chandramma • 2024 — Juni — Partha's mother • Jigar • Thamate • 2025 — Muruga S/o Kaanunu • GST • 2026 — Mother Promise — Sharadamma

List of Vinaya Prasad Malayalam film credits • Year — Title — Roles — Notes • 1991 — Perunthachan — Bhargavi Thampuratti • Mookilla Rajyathu — Leena • 1993 — Manichitrathazhu — Sreedevi • 1994 — Pidakkozhi Koovunna Noottandu — Nancy Joseph • 1996 — Laalanam — Sasikala • Swantham Makalkku Snehapoorvam • 1997 — Krishnagudiyil Oru Pranayakalathu — Uma • 2001 — Bhadra — Bhadra • The Gift of God • 2009 — Oru Black And White Kudumbam — Lakshmi • 2010 — Marykkundoru Kunjaadu — Mary • 24 Hours — Leela Varma • 2011 — Aan Piranna Veedu — Jithin's mother • 2012 — Spanish Masala — Rahul's mother • Perinoru Makan — Bhanumathi • 2014 — Om Shanti Oshana — Rachel • Ulsaha Committee — Jhansi • Bangalore Days — Mrs Francis • Avatharam — Karimban John's wife • Villali Veeran — Geetha • Cousins — Theresa • 2015 — Two Countries — Revathy • 2016 — Shajahanum Pareekuttiyum — Nancy • Welcome to Central Jail — Janaki • 2017 — Sunday Holiday — Narayanankutty's wife — Cameo • 2018 — Aami — Sulochana Nalappat • Chanakya Thanthram — Arundhathi • Mottita Mullakal — Badhravathi • 2019 — Madhura Raja — Lillykutty teacher • 2022 — Kaypakka — Parvathi • Heaven — Mariyam • 2024 — Extra Decent — Lakshmi • 2025 — Thug — Rebecca • 2026 — Maduramee Jeevitham — Madhavikutty

List of Vinaya Prasad Telugu film credits • Year — Title — Roles — Notes • 1996 — Nayudu Gari Kutumbam • 2000 — Kalisundam Raa — Anasooya • 2002 — Indra • 2004 — Donga Dongadi • 2005 — Andhrudu — Munna's mother • Subash Chandra Bose • 2006 — Chinnodu • 2007 — Aadavari Matalaku Ardhalu Verule — Janaki • 2008 — Ready — Pooja's aunt • Souryam — Commissioner Sarath's wife • 2009 — Anjaneyulu — Lekshmi • Bangaru Babu • 2010 — Adhurs • Varudu — Deepti's mother • Namo Venkatesa — Pooja's aunt • Bava • 2011 — Oh My Friend • Dookudu — Tulasi • 2012 — Lovely — Lavanya's mother • Shirdi Sai — Baajiya Bai • 2013 — Sketch for Love • Doosukeltha — Alekhya's mother • Bhai • Shadow — Lakshmi's sister-in-law • 2014 — Power — Baldev's mother • Jaihind 2 — Nandhini's mother • 2016 — Sarrainodu — Gana's mother

List of Vinaya Prasad Tamil film credits • Year — Title — Roles — Notes • 1995 — Thaikulame Thaikulame — Monisha • 2000 — Independence Day • 2005 — Chandramukhi — Lakshmi Kandaswamy • Ambuttu Imbuttu Embuttu — Vijaya • 2008 — Vaitheeswaran — Saravanan's mother • 2014 — Jaihind 2 — Nandhini's mother • 2015 — Anegan — Madhumitha's mother • 2019 — Igloo — Jaya

List of Vinaya Prasad Tulu film credits • Year — Title — Roles — Notes • 2007 — Koti Chennaya • 2016 — Panoda Bodcha