| Vinaya Prasad | |
| Birth Name: | Vinaya Bhat |
| Birth Place: | Udupi, Karnataka, India |
| Occupation: | Actress |
| Years Active: | 1986–present |
Vinaya Prakash (Bhat), (22 November 1967)[1] also credited as Vinaya Prasad, is an Indian actress who has featured primarily in Kannada, Malayalam and Tamil films and television series besides acting in Telugu language films.[2]
Vinaya Prasad hails from Udupi district of Karnataka state. Prasad made her film debut with a small role in G. V. Iyer's Madhwacharya in 1986. 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, Tamil and Telugu. 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 the all-time blockbuster Manichitrathazhu, opposite Mohanlal. In Tamil, Prasad has acted as the heroine in the hit movie Thaikulame Thaikulame with Pandiarajan and Urvashi starring. 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, Prasad switched over to character roles in South Indian films and remains a sought-after actress in Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu movies. Prasad is also an effective compere and singer. Prasad 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.[3]
In 2002, Vinaya married Jyotiprakash and 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.
| Year | Title | Roles | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Madhwacharya | ||
| 1990 | Ganeshana Maduve | Aadhi Lakshmi | |
| 1990 | Policena Hendthi | ||
| 1990 | College Hero | ||
| 1991 | Gauri Ganesha | Sarasu | |
| 1991 | Neenu Nakkare Haalu Sakkare | Ramya | |
| 1991 | Ide Police Belt | ||
| 1991 | Kiladi Gandu | Lakshmi | |
| 1991 | Shwethagni | ||
| 1991 | Gururayara Soththu | ||
| 1991 | Nayaka | ||
| 1992 | Mysore Jaana | Asha | |
| 1992 | Midida Shruthi | ||
| 1992 | Rajadhi Raja | ||
| 1992 | Police File | ||
| 1992 | Police Lockup | ||
| 1992 | Shakthi Yukthi | Seetha | |
| 1992 | Goonda Rajya | ||
| 1992 | Agni Panjara | Vinaya | |
| 1993 | Dakshayini | Sujatha | |
| 1993 | Bhavya Bharatha | ||
| 1993 | Gundana Maduve | ||
| 1993 | Sarkarakke Saval | ||
| 1993 | Aathanka | Vaani | |
| 1993 | Suryodaya | Pramila | |
| 1994 | Karulina Koogu | Sharada | |
| 1994 | Mouna Raga | Lavanya | |
| 1994 | Nanendu Nimmavane | ||
| 1994 | Samrat | Special appearance | |
| 1994 | Yarigu Helbedi | ||
| 1994 | Mahashakthi Maaye | Soubhagya | |
| 1994 | Anuraga Spandana | ||
| 1994 | Durga Pooje | ||
| 1995 | Kalyanotsava | ||
| 1995 | Kona Edaithe | Goddess of Justice | |
| 1995 | Shiva | ||
| 1995 | Thumbida Mane | ||
| 1995 | Thavaru Beegaru | Lakshmi | |
| 1995 | Muthinantha Hendathi | ||
| 1995 | Lady Police | ||
| 1996 | Mahathai | ||
| 1996 | Sowbhagya Devathe | ||
| 1996 | Central Jail | ||
| 1996 | Hrudaya kallaru | Vinaya | |
| 1996 | Sipayi | ||
| 1996 | Thali Pooje | Punya | |
| 1996 | Sathya Sangharsha | ||
| 1996 | Mouna Raga | ||
| 1996 | Balina Jyothi | Janaki | |
| 1996 | GodFather | ||
| 1996 | Anuraga Spandana | ||
| 1997 | Laali | Guest appearance | |
| 1997 | Kalla Banda Kalla | ||
| 1997 | Yuva Shakthi | ||
| 1997 | Baalida Mane | Archana | |
| 1997 | Bhoomi Geetha | ||
| 1997 | Mangala Sutra | Seetha | |
| 1997 | Raaja | ||
| 1997 | Manava 2022 | ||
| 1998 | Andaman | ||
| 1998 | Preethsod Thappa | Bhavani | |
| 1998 | Daayadi | ||
| 1998 | Hoomale | Vinaya | Cameo |
| 1999 | Tuvvi Tuvvi Tuvvi | ||
| 1999 | Maha Edabidangi | Vinaya | |
| 1999 | Chandrodaya | Lawyer | |
| 2000 | Independence Day | ||
| 2001 | Bannada Hejje | Seetha | |
| 2001 | Baava Baamaida | Lekshmi | |
| 2004 | Love | ||
| 2004 | Nimma Preethiya Huduga | ||
| 2004 | Srirampura Police Station | ||
| 2004 | Monda | ||
| 2005 | Rishi | Lekshmi | |
| 2005 | Nenapirali | ||
| 2006 | Hatavadi | ||
| 2006 | Dattha | ||
| 2006 | Ashoka | ||
| 2006 | Shree | ||
| 2006 | Student | ||
| 2007 | Thayiya Madilu | ||
| 2007 | Aa Dinagalu | Chethan's mother | |
| 2007 | Krishna | Anjali's mother | |
| 2007 | Ugadi | ||
| 2007 | Ee Preethi Yeke Bhoomi Melide | Guest appearance | |
| 2008 | Ravi Shastry | ||
| 2008 | Honganasu | ||
| 2008 | Ganesha Mathe Bandha | ||
| 2008 | Satya in Love | ||
| 2008 | Sangaathi | ||
| 2008 | Chikkamagaloora Chikka Mallige | ||
| 2008 | PUC | ||
| 2008 | Hrudaya I Miss You | ||
| 2008 | Huttidare Kannada Nadalli Huttabeku | ||
| 2008 | Jnana Jyothi Sri Siddaganga | dubbing | |
| 2008 | Indra | ||
| 2008 | Bombaat | ||
| 2008 | Shankara Punyakoti | Parvathy | |
| 2009 | Ghauttham | ||
| 2009 | 10th Class A Sec | ||
| 2009 | Shivamani | ||
| 2010 | Aptharakshaka | Gowri's mother | |
| 2010 | Shankar IPS | ||
| 2010 | Cheluveye Ninne Nodalu | Sumithra | |
| 2010 | Nee Bandu Ninthaga | ||
| 2010 | Pareekshe | ||
| 2010 | Parole | ||
| 2010 | Modalasala | ||
| 2011 | Krishnan Marriage Story | ||
| 2011 | Veera Babu | ||
| 2011 | I Am Sorry Mathe Banni Preethsona | ||
| 2012 | Shakthi | ||
| 2012 | 18th Cross | ||
| 2012 | Paper Dhoni | ||
| 2012 | Adhikara | ||
| 2012 | Parie | ||
| 2012 | Sagar | ||
| 2013 | Madarangi | ||
| 2013 | Shravani Subramanya | ||
| 2013 | Sri Aadiparashakthi | ||
| 2013 | Hara | ||
| 2013 | Sakkare | Vasundhara | |
| 2014 | Preethi Geethi Ityadi | ||
| 2014 | Central Jail | ||
| 2014 | Abhimanyu | ||
| 2014 | Abhimanyu | Nandhini's mother | |
| 2015 | RX Soori | ||
| 2015 | Geetha Bangle Store | ||
| 2015 | Vamshodharaka | ||
| 2016 | Tyson | ||
| 2016 | Shivalinga | Satya's mother | |
| 2016 | Madhura Swapna | ||
| 2016 | Kalpana 2 | Mary | |
| 2016 | Akshathe | ||
| 2016 | Vaishnavi | Saraswathi | |
| 2016 | Brahma Vishnu Maheshwara | ||
| 2017 | March 22 | Mumtaj | |
| 2017 | Dhvani | ||
| 2017 | Lakshminarayanara Prapanchane Bere | Lekshmi | Also actor/director |
| 2018 | Rajaratha | Usha | |
| 2018 | Viraaj | ||
| 2019 | Khanana | ||
| 2020 | Kaanadante Maayavadanu | Nirupama | |
| 2022 | Maaraya | ||
| 2022 | September 13 | Dr. Shubha | |
| 2022 | Vijayanand | ||
| 2024 | Juni | Partha's mother | |
| Year | Title | Roles | Language | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Perunthachan | Bhargavi Thampuratti | ||
| 1991 | Mookilla Rajyathu | Leena | Malayalam | |
| 1993 | Manichitrathazhu | Sreedevi | Malayalam | |
| 1994 | Pidakkozhi Koovunna Noottandu | Nancy Joseph | Malayalam | |
| 1995 | Thaikulame Thaikulame | Monisha | ||
| 1996 | Laalanam | Sasikala | Malayalam | |
| 1996 | Swantham Makalkku Snehapoorvam | Malayalam | ||
| 1996 | Nayudu Gari Kutumbam | Telugu | ||
| 1997 | Krishnagudiyil Oru Pranayakalathu | Uma | Malayalam | |
| 2000 | Kalisundam Raa | Anasooya | Telugu | |
| 2000 | Independence Day | Tamil | ||
| 2001 | Bhadra | Bhadra | Malayalam | |
| 2001 | The Gift of God | Malayalam | ||
| 2002 | Indra | Telugu | ||
| 2004 | Donga Dongadi | Telugu | ||
| 2005 | Chandramukhi | Lakshmi Kandaswamy | Tamil | |
| 2005 | Ambuttu Imbuttu Embuttu | Vijaya | Tamil | |
| 2005 | Andhrudu | Munna's mother | Telugu | |
| 2005 | Subash Chandra Bose | Telugu | ||
| 2006 | Chinnodu | Telugu | ||
| 2007 | Aadavari Matalaku Ardhalu Verule | Janaki | Telugu | |
| 2007 | Koti Chennaya | |||
| 2008 | Ready | Pooja's aunt | Telugu | |
| 2008 | Vaitheeswaran | Saravanan's mother | Tamil | |
| 2008 | Souryam | Commissioner Sarath's wife | Telugu | |
| 2009 | Oru Black And White Kudumbam | Lakshmi | Malayalam | |
| 2009 | Anjaneyulu | Lekshmi | Telugu | |
| 2009 | Bangaru Babu | Telugu | ||
| 2010 | Adhurs | Telugu | ||
| 2010 | Varudu | Deepti's mother | Telugu | |
| 2010 | Namo Venkatesa | Pooja's aunt | Telugu | |
| 2010 | Marykkundoru Kunjaadu | Mary | Malayalam | |
| 2010 | 24 Hours | Leela Varma | Malayalam | |
| 2010 | Bava | Telugu | ||
| 2011 | Aan Piranna Veedu | Jithin's mother | Malayalam | |
| 2011 | Oh My Friend | Telugu | ||
| 2011 | Dookudu | Tulasi | Telugu | |
| 2012 | Lovely | Lavanya's mother | Telugu | |
| 2012 | Spanish Masala | Rahul's mother | Malayalam | |
| 2012 | Shirdi Sai | Baajiya Bai | Telugu | |
| 2012 | Perinoru Makan | Bhanumathi | Malayalam | |
| 2013 | Sketch for Love | Telugu | ||
| 2013 | Doosukeltha | Alekhya's mother | Telugu | |
| 2013 | Bhai | Telugu | ||
| 2013 | Shadow | Lakshmi's sister-in-law | Telugu | |
| 2014 | Om Shanti Oshana | Rachel | Malayalam | |
| 2014 | Ulsaha Committee | Jhansi | Malayalam | |
| 2014 | Bangalore Days | Mrs Francis | Malayalam | |
| 2014 | Avatharam | Karimban John's wife | Malayalam | |
| 2014 | Villali Veeran | Geetha | Malayalam | |
| 2014 | Cousins | Theresa | Malayalam | |
| 2014 | Power | Baldev's mother | Telugu | |
| 2014 | Jaihind 2 | Nandhini's mother | Tamil/Telugu | |
| 2015 | Anegan | Madhumitha's mother | Tamil | |
| 2015 | Two Countries | Revathy | Malayalam | |
| 2016 | Sarrainodu | Gana's mother | Telugu | |
| 2016 | Shajahanum Pareekuttiyum | Nancy | Malayalam | |
| 2016 | Welcome to Central Jail | Janaki | Malayalam | |
| 2016 | Panoda Bodcha | Tulu | ||
| 2017 | Sunday Holiday | Narayanankutty's wife | Malayalam | Cameo |
| 2018 | Aami | Sulochana Nalappat | Malayalam | |
| 2018 | Chanakya Thanthram | Arundhathi | Malayalam | |
| 2019 | Madhura Raja | Lillykutty teacher | Malayalam | |
| 2019 | Igloo | Jaya | Tamil | |
| 2022 | Kaypakka | Parvathi | Malayalam | |
| 2022 | Heaven | Mariyam | Malayalam | |
| 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 |
| 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 | 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[4] | Judge | Malayalam | Mazhavil Manorama |