Vinaya Prasad, born on 22 November 1967 in Udupi, Karnataka, is a veteran Indian actress who has made a lasting mark across Kannada, Malayalam, Telugu, Tamil, and Tulu cinema as well as television. She began her career with a small role in Madhwacharya (1986) directed by G. V. Iyer, but her breakthrough came with the hit Kannada film Ganeshana Maduve (1990) opposite Anant Nag, which established her as a leading lady. Over the years, she became known for her versatility, effortlessly portraying both comedic and emotional roles in films such as Neenu Nakkare Haalu Sakkare, Gauri Ganesha, and Mysore Jaana. Beyond cinema, Vinaya has been a familiar face on television, appearing in popular serials and hosting shows, which further cemented her popularity among family audiences. On the personal front, she married V. R. K. Prasad in 1988, who passed away in 1995, and later married Jyotiprakash in 2002. With a career spanning nearly four decades, Vinaya Prasad continues to be admired for her graceful screen presence, her ability to connect with audiences across generations, and her enduring contribution to South Indian entertainment.