Avinash

Yelandur Narayan Ravindra (born 22 December 1959), known mononymously by his stage name Avinash, is an Indian actor who appears predominantly in Kannada and Tamil films. He has been working in films for more than three decades. Known for his authentic portrayal of complex characters and versatility, Avinash is one of the most sought after actors for supporting roles.

Early life Avinash was born in the town of Yelandur in Mysore district (now in Chamarajanagar district), in the Mysore State (now Karnataka), to Indira and B. K. Narayana Rao, a lawyer. After completing his education at Mysore's Hardwick High School and College, Avinash went on to attend University of Mysore, where he obtained his master's degree in English literature. Drawn to theatre and cinema from a young age, he had an active theater life in Mysore and later in Bangalore. During the time, he taught English at the National Institute of Engineering, Mysore, and later at the MES college in Bangalore.

Career Theatre His first job after his M.Phil. was that of an English lecturer in National Institute of Engineering, Mysore. He continued to teach at MES College Bangalore as one of the most popular lecturers of the college. However, soon his passion for theatre took him abroad to train in acting at Mermaid Theatre, London. On returning home, he worked in Kannada theatre as part of the renowned B Jayashree's troupe "Spandana" and with the Shankar Nag as part of his "Sanketh" for many years.

Films Films were a natural choice for Avinash after his debut in G. V. Iyer's Madhvacharya (1986) based on the life and times of the twelfth-century enlightened master as the protagonist Madhvacharya, a film that won several National and State Awards. His debut in mainstream cinema however, was with Shivarajkumar's Samyuktha (1988), which went in to become a hit with audiences, ushering him into the world of South Indian Cinema. He has worked with more than 200 directors such as K. Balachander, Girish Kasaravalli, T. N. Seetharam, A. R. Murugadoss, Puri Jagannadh, P. Vasu, Vetrimaaran, Siva, Suseenthiran, Duniya Suri, Prashanth Neel, Gautham Vasudev Menon and T. S. Nagabharana.

His other notable performances were in Girish Kasaravalli's Dweepa (2002), in which he played the lead opposite Soundarya, T. S. Nagabharana's Chinnari Mutha (1993) and T. N. Seetharam's Mathadana (2001), all three of which won National Award. He also lists Singaaravva (2003) and Chigurida Kanasu (2003) among his most memorable films.

P. Vasu's hit horror series Apthamitra (2004), Chandramukhi (2005) and Aptharakshaka (2010) were high points in his career. 5Ters, an experimental (computer graphics) children's film in Hindi gave him the opportunity of playing good and evil characters and he considers the film to be a high point of his career.

Apart from his diverse repertoire, he has played major roles alongside doyens such as Rajkumar, Vishnuvardhan, Rajinikanth, Mammootty, stars such as Nagarjuna, Nandamuri Balakrishna, Venkatesh, Shiva Rajkumar, Vijay, Ajith Kumar, Vikram, Suriya, Puneeth Rajkumar, Kiccha Sudeep, Yash, Arya, Karthi, Mahesh Babu, Prithviraj Sukumaran and several of the younger stars of South Indian Cinema.

Personal life Avinash married Malavika, who was his co-star in the soap opera Mayamruga, in 2001. 2011 Filmfare Awards South Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor – Kannada Aptharakshaka 2018 Rajyotsava Award Lifetime Achievement — Partial filmography Kannada films

Year Film Role Notes 1985 Trishula Damodar Rao 1986 27 Mavalli Circle P. R. Arunkumar Madhvacharya Young Madhvacharya 1987 Aapadbandhava Athiratha Maharatha Ravana Rajya Bandhamuktha Prabhakar's friend Sangrama Agni Parva 1988 Samyuktha Gopal Rao Krishna Mecchida Radhe Daada Vishnu's friend Mathru Vathsalya Shekhar 1989 Ondagi Balu Thyagaraj Tarka Cowry Yuddha Kaanda Dr. Hegde Onti SalagaRamesh Deva Inspector Vikram Rao C.B.I. Shankar Vikram 1990 Ashwamedha Muthanna Kiladi Thatha Mathsara Somashekhar Poli Kitty Rudra Thandava S. P. Sangliyana Part 2 Imposter of CBI officer Swarna Samsara Diwakar Utkarsha Mahendra 1991 Hathya Kanda Prasad CBI Vijay S.I. Harischandra1992 Pruthviraj Inspector Rajashekar Mannina Doni Pradeep Sangya Balya Veeranna Setty 1993 Chinnari Mutha Saawanth Aakasmika Rijji 1994 NishkarshaRamakrishna Lockup Death Police Inspector Kiladigalu Chikkaraja 1996 Huliya Madagi 1997 CBI Durga 1998 Karnataka Police Captain 1999 Aryabhata Drona JD Idu Entha Premavayya Arun's brother Hrudaya Hrudaya Nannaseya Hoove Om Namah Shivaya 2000 Yajamana Devaraj 2001 Lankesha Shaapa Psychiatrist Prema Rajya Huchcha Kiccha's brother Vishalakshammana Ganda Mathadana Puttathammayya Karnataka State Film Award for Best Supporting ActorKotigobba Keshava 2002 Appu Rajashekhar Ninagagi Dr. Subramanya Karmugilu Shankar Balarama Landlord Kitty Kitty's brother Dweepa Ganapa 2003 Don Ramaswamy Iyengar SingaaravvaSaragam Desai Sri Ram Lokayuktha DCP Kshetrapal Raja Narasimha Thayi Illada Thabbali Nanjappa Chigurida KanasuShanubhog KhushiDurga Prasad Daasa Mani Mooru Manasu Nooru Kanasu Anand's father 2004Veera Kannadiga Vishwa Durgi Apthamitra Acharya Ramachandra Shastri Kalasipalya Seetharam Jennifer Basha 2005 Valmiki Deshpande Sirichandana Aakash Dayanand Deadly Soma Chinnaswamy Siddu Sye Sivaji Aadi Udayachandar Amrithadhare Puru's Father News Umesh Swamy Desai Green Signal 2006 Mandya Bhoopayya Chellata Chandrasekhar Cyanide Kempaiah IPS Gandugali Kumararama Sirivantha Mastan Bhai Tananam Tananam Gowda Kallarali Hoovagi Parashuramappa Shree 2007 Hudugaata S. K. Ananth Rao Gunavantha 2008 Manasugula Mathu Madhura Bombaat Ananthakrishnan Baa Bega Chandamama Poonacha Chikkamagaloora Chikka Mallige 2009 Kabaddi Bellary Naga Vishwanath Gowda 2010 Police Quarters Vishwanna School Master Porki Satya Narayan Murthy Aptharakshaka Acharya Ramachandra Shastri Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor – KannadaPrithvi Narasimha Nayak Jayahe Sushilkumar Preethi Hangama Geetha's boss 2011 Karthik Double Decker Hudugaru Paramashiva Murthy Paramathma Srinivas Putra Narasimha 2012 Shakti Anna Bond Major Chandrakanth Romeo 2013 Sandalwood Sa Re Ga Ma CID Eesha Jataayu Victory DCP Rajendra Kaddipudi ACP Vijaya Prasad Madarangi Deepu's father 2014 Angaaraka Ninnindale Lakshmi Venkatesh Ugramm Shivarudra Lingaiah Shivajinagara Dayanand Kalyanamasthu Ragini IPS Hiremath Huchudugaru Maryade Veera Pulikeshi Maanikya Hara Jasmine.5 Aakramana Power 2015 Katte Nagu's father Mrugashira Vajrakaya Viraj's adoptive father Preethiyinda Amar Kumar Pandey Lodde Mr. Airavata Police Commissioner Goolihatti Dove 7 Ring Road Suma Bettanagere Alone 2016 Bullet Rani Bilingual film Jaguar College Principal Bilingual film Kotigobba 2 Landlord 2017 Hebbuli ACP Prathap Raajakumara Jagadeesh Rogue Bilingual film Dandupalya 2 Police Officer 2018 Prema Baraha Ram Idam Premam Jeevanam Ambi Ning Vayassaytho Nandini's father Gultoo Inspector Avinash Vaasu Naan Pakka Commercial Victory 2 DCP Rajendra Orange Huli Veeraiah 2019 Natasaarvabhowma Avinash Dasharatha Akhaada Only dubbed versions released Pailwaan Rukumini's father Katha Sangama 2020 Mounam Arishadvarga Manjunath BhatShivarjuna Rayappa Law Nandini's father Act 1978 Chief Minister of Karnataka 2021 Roberrt Omkar Shukla Yuvarathnaa Jayapal Mugilpete 2022 James Army officer Home Minister Renuka's father Shiva 143 Narasimha 2023 Love Birds Vidhi (Article) 370 19.20.21 Mariguddada Gaddadharigalu Suraari Siren Police Commissioner Ashok Kumar Yadha Yadha Hi Avinash Bhat Iravan Dr Satya Murthy Aparoopa David Sheela Sapta Saagaradaache Ello – Side A Shankare Gowda Mayanagari Kaatera Shanubogha 2024 Juni Partha's father Abbabba Gopal ReddyBagheera Ramakanth AppayyaBhairathi Ranagal Khandre 2025 Guns and Roses Choo Mantar Acharya Ramachandra Cameo appearance Forest Mani Rudra Garuda Purana Unlock Raghava Vaamana Kothalavadi Commissioner Ananta Padmanabha Jambu Circus I Am God Jai Gadakesari Flirt

Tamil films

Telugu films Year Film Role Notes 2003 Golmaal Abdullah 2007 Lakshmi Kalyanam Chalamaiah 2008 Sangamam Raghava Rao 2009 Aa Okkadu Swamy 2010 Nagavalli Acharya Ramachandra Siddhanthi 2012 Daruvu Shantaram Damarukam Kaapaalika's chief 2016 Bullet Rani Bilingual film

Other activities Avinash is the founder member of Sneha Loka, a club to promote sporting activity among the film fraternity.