Avinash
Actor
December 22, 1959 (66 years)
**Avinash Yelandur** (born 22 December 1959), widely known simply as **Avinash**, is a highly acclaimed Indian actor who works predominantly in Kannada and Tamil cinema. Renowned for his authentic portrayals of complex characters, commanding screen presence, and incredible versatility, he is one of the most sought-after and respected supporting actors in South India.
Born in the town of Yelandur in the Chamarajanagar district of Karnataka, Avinash initially pursued a career in academia. After earning a Master's degree in English Literature from the University of Mysore, he taught English as a lecturer at the National Institute of Engineering in Mysore and MES College in Bangalore. However, his deep passion for the performing arts led him to train in acting at the Mermaid Theatre in London. Upon returning to India, he became a prominent figure in Kannada theatre, working closely with B. Jayashree's troupe "Spandana" and Shankar Nag's renowned "Sanketh".
Avinash transitioned to the silver screen in the mid-1980s and gradually built a monumental filmography of over 400 films across a career spanning nearly four decades. While he appeared in several films early on, he garnered immense critical acclaim for his nuanced performances in parallel and character-driven cinema. His exceptional performance in T. N. Seetharam's *Mathadana* (2001) won him the prestigious Karnataka State Film Award for Best Supporting Actor. He also earned widespread praise for his work in critically acclaimed classics like *Dweepa* (2002), *Singaaravva* (2003), and *Chigurida Kanasu* (2003).
In the mainstream space, Avinash achieved massive commercial success and broader popularity for his pivotal roles in P. Vasu's blockbuster horror franchise, playing the role of Acharya Ramachandra Shastri in the Kannada hit *Apthamitra* (2004) and its sequel *Aptharakshaka* (2010), as well as featuring in the Tamil phenomenon *Chandramukhi* (2005). His performance in *Aptharakshaka* earned him a Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor. He has consistently adapted to the changing eras of Sandalwood, delivering standout performances in modern hits like *Ugramm* (2014), *K.G.F: Chapter 1* (2018), and the emotional drama *Sapta Sagaradaache Ello* (2023).
Beyond cinema, he is a familiar face on television, most notably starring in the iconic Kannada soap opera *Mayamruga*. It was on the sets of this series that he met his future wife, popular actress and television personality Malavika Avinash, whom he married in 2001. In recognition of his immense contributions to cinema and culture, he was honored with the Rajyotsava Award by the Government of Karnataka.
Born in the town of Yelandur in the Chamarajanagar district of Karnataka, Avinash initially pursued a career in academia. After earning a Master's degree in English Literature from the University of Mysore, he taught English as a lecturer at the National Institute of Engineering in Mysore and MES College in Bangalore. However, his deep passion for the performing arts led him to train in acting at the Mermaid Theatre in London. Upon returning to India, he became a prominent figure in Kannada theatre, working closely with B. Jayashree's troupe "Spandana" and Shankar Nag's renowned "Sanketh".
Avinash transitioned to the silver screen in the mid-1980s and gradually built a monumental filmography of over 400 films across a career spanning nearly four decades. While he appeared in several films early on, he garnered immense critical acclaim for his nuanced performances in parallel and character-driven cinema. His exceptional performance in T. N. Seetharam's *Mathadana* (2001) won him the prestigious Karnataka State Film Award for Best Supporting Actor. He also earned widespread praise for his work in critically acclaimed classics like *Dweepa* (2002), *Singaaravva* (2003), and *Chigurida Kanasu* (2003).
In the mainstream space, Avinash achieved massive commercial success and broader popularity for his pivotal roles in P. Vasu's blockbuster horror franchise, playing the role of Acharya Ramachandra Shastri in the Kannada hit *Apthamitra* (2004) and its sequel *Aptharakshaka* (2010), as well as featuring in the Tamil phenomenon *Chandramukhi* (2005). His performance in *Aptharakshaka* earned him a Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor. He has consistently adapted to the changing eras of Sandalwood, delivering standout performances in modern hits like *Ugramm* (2014), *K.G.F: Chapter 1* (2018), and the emotional drama *Sapta Sagaradaache Ello* (2023).
Beyond cinema, he is a familiar face on television, most notably starring in the iconic Kannada soap opera *Mayamruga*. It was on the sets of this series that he met his future wife, popular actress and television personality Malavika Avinash, whom he married in 2001. In recognition of his immense contributions to cinema and culture, he was honored with the Rajyotsava Award by the Government of Karnataka.
Known For
Filmography
| 2026 | |
| 2026 | Sardar 2 · as Agent 'chetta' Victor |
| 2026 | |
| 2026 | Achyuta Avataaram · as Madan Master |
| 2026 | Ustaad Bhagat Singh · as Miya Bhai |
| 2026 | Alpha: Men Love Vengeance · as Cast |
| 2026 | |
| 2026 | Landlord · as Cast |
| 2025 | |
| 2025 | Akhanda 2 - Thaandavam · as Ramachandriah |
| 2025 | Rona · as Cast |
| 2025 | |
| 2025 | Aaryan · as Ravi Chakrapani |
| 2025 | |
| 2025 | |
| 2025 | Unlock Raghava · as Cast |
| 2025 | |
| 2025 | |
| 2025 | Dear Krishna · as Cast |
| 2025 | Choo Mantar · as Acharya Ramachandra |
| 2025 | Rajadrohi · as Gurugalu |
| 2025 | Flirt · as Cast |
| 2024 | Bhairathi Ranagal · as Khandre |
| 2024 | Bagheera · as Ramakanth Appayya |
| 2024 | |
| 2024 | Bootcut Balaraju · as Cast |
| 2024 | Hagga · as Cast |
| 2023 | Mayanagari · as Cast |
| 2023 | |
| 2023 | Sapta Sagaradaache Ello: Side B · as Cast |
| 2023 | Tantiram · as Adhiban |
| 2023 | Saptha Sagaradaache Ello - Side A · as Shankare Gowda |
| 2023 | |
| 2023 | Paramvah · as Cast |
| 2023 | IRavan · as Sathya Murthy |
| 2023 | Kather Basha Endra Muthuramalingam · as Cast |
| 2023 | Yadha Yadha Hi · as Avinash Bhat |
| 2023 | Mariguddada Gaddadharigalu · as Cast |
| 2023 | Suraari · as Chidanand |
| 2023 | |
| 2023 | |
| 2023 | |
| 2023 | Suvarna Sundari · as Raja Ram Bahadur |
| 2022 | Connect · as Father Alex |
| 2022 | Sardar · as Agent 'chetta' Victor |
| 2022 | Home Minister · as Cast |
| 2022 | |
| 2022 | Aghora · as Cast |
| 2021 | Akhanda · as Akhanda And Murali's Father |
| 2021 | |
| 2021 | Yuvarathnaa · as Jaipal |
| 2021 | Roberrt · as Omkar Shukla |
| 2020 | ACT 1978 · as Chief Minister |
| 2020 | |
| 2020 | Shivarjuna · as Cast |
| 2020 | College Kumar · as Cast |
| 2020 | Shivaji Surathkal · as Rajeev Ravi |
| 2020 | |
| 2020 | Shiva 143 · as Cast |
| 2020 | 3rd Class · as Cast |
| 2019 | |
| 2019 | Ayushmanbava · as Cast |
| 2019 | Bharaate · as Cast |
| 2019 | |
| 2019 | |
| 2019 | Pailwaan · as Rukmini's Father |
| 2019 | Kurukshetra · as Gandhara Raja Subala |
| 2019 | |
| 2019 | Arishadvarga · as Manjunath Bhat |
| 2019 | |
| 2019 | Kavaludaari · as Lakshman |
| 2019 | |
| 2018 | |
| 2018 | Victory 2 · as Cast |
| 2018 | Ambi Ning Vysaitho · as Young Nandini's Father |
| 2018 | |
| 2018 | |
| 2018 | Kumari 21F · as Cast |
| 2018 | Gultoo · as Circle Inspector Avinash |
| 2018 | Krishnarjuna Yudham · as Cast |
| 2018 | Huccha 2 · as Cast |
| 2017 | |
| 2017 | Upendra Matte Baa · as Rudraraju |
| 2017 | Nishyabda 2 · as Cast |
| 2017 | Raju Gari Gadhi 2 · as Priest |
| 2017 | Tarak · as Cast |
| 2017 | |
| 2017 | Krishna S/O C M · as Cast |
| 2017 | Tiger · as Cast |
| 2017 | |
| 2017 | Rogue · as Sanju's Father |
| 2017 | Raajakumara · as Jagadish |
| 2017 | |
| 2017 | Hebbuli · as Acp Prathap |
| 2016 | Mukunda Murari · as Siddeshwara Swamy |
| 2016 | Santhu Straight Forward · as Ananya's Father |
| 2016 | Jaguar · as College Principal |
| 2016 | Doddmane Hudga · as Cast |
| 2016 | Kotigobba 2 · as Land Owner |
| 2016 | Santheyalli Nintha Kabira · as Kabir's Father |
| 2016 | Brahmana · as Cast |
| 2016 | |
| 2016 | |
| 2016 | |
| 2016 | Bullet Rani · as Rajesh |
| 2016 | U the end A · as Cast |
| 2016 | Shivalinga · as Krishna Bhatta, Sangeetha's Father |
| 2016 | Moondraam Ullaga Por · as Subramaniam |
| 2016 | Gethu · as Craig's Boss |
| 2015 | Master Piece · as Police Commissioner |
| 2015 | Ouija: Game Never Ends · as Iliyas |
| 2015 | Betthanagere · as Cast |
| 2015 | Mr. Airavata · as Commissioner |
| 2015 | RX Suri · as Cast |
| 2015 | |
| 2015 | |
| 2015 | Ranna · as Udaya Chandra |
| 2015 | Rana Vikrama · as Kusti Ranganna |
| 2015 | |
| 2015 | Yennai Arindhaal · as Hemanika's Father |
| 2015 | Killadi · as Sp Easwarapandiyan |
| 2015 | Shivam · as Siddanna |
| 2015 | Rebel · as Cast |
| 2014 | Meagamann · as Avinash Bhote (knight) |
| 2014 | |
| 2014 | Neenade Naa · as Cast |
| 2014 | Bahaddur · as Cast |
| 2014 | Power · as Bharath's Higher Officer And Prasanthi's Father |
| 2014 | |
| 2014 | Ragini IPS · as Hiremath |
| 2014 | Ugramm · as Shivarudra Lingaiah |
| 2014 | Ninnindale · as Venktaesh |
| 2014 | Veeram · as Aavudaiyappan |
| 2013 | Shravani Subramanya · as Kempegouda |
| 2013 | Chaddi Dosth · as Cast |
| 2013 | Dasavala · as Cast |
| 2013 | Victory · as Dcp Rajendra |
| 2013 | Kaddipudi · as Vijaya Prasad |
| 2013 | |
| 2013 | Udhayam NH4 · as Avinash Patel |
| 2013 | Lakshmi · as Cast |
| 2012 | Kranthiveera Sangolli Rayanna · as Balappa Kulkarni |
| 2012 | |
| 2012 | |
| 2012 | Paper Dhoni · as Cast |
| 2012 | Crazy Loka · as Ganapathi |
| 2012 | Daruvu · as Shantaram |
| 2012 | Anna Bond · as Major Chandrakanth |
| 2012 | |
| 2011 | Rajapattai · as Dakshinamoorthy's Son |
| 2011 | Aata · as Rajashekhar, Swathi's Father |
| 2011 | 7 Aum Arivu · as Cast |
| 2011 | Putra · as Cast |
| 2011 | |
| 2011 | Banna Bannada Loka · as Cast |
| 2011 | Hudugaru · as Paramashiva Murthy |
| 2011 | Double Decker · as Cast |
| 2011 | Doubles · as Louie |
| 2011 | |
| 2011 | Prince · as Hemanth |
| 2011 | Police Quarters · as Cast |
| 2011 | Manasina Maathu · as Cast |
| 2011 | Siruthai · as Bavuji |
| 2011 | Karthik · as Cast |
| 2011 | Aacharya · as Cast |
| 2010 | Modalasala · as Karthik's Father |
| 2010 | Huli · as Cast |
| 2010 | Nagavalli · as Acharya Ramachandra |
| 2010 | Preeti Hungama · as Cast |
| 2010 | Shourya · as Cast |
| 2010 | Jayahe · as Father Of Jaya (ayesha) |
| 2010 | |
| 2010 | |
| 2010 | |
| 2010 | Shankar IPS · as Saklej |
| 2010 | |
| 2010 | Premism · as Srinivas |
| 2010 | Aaptharakshaka · as Ramachand Acharya |
| 2010 | Just Maath Maathalli · as Cast |
| 2010 | Aparadhi · as Cast |
| 2010 | |
| 2010 | |
| 2010 | Jugaari · as Cast |
| 2009 | Nirudyogi · as Cast |
| 2009 | |
| 2009 | Parichaya · as Cast |
| 2009 | Bellary Naga · as Vishwanatha |
| 2009 | |
| 2009 | |
| 2009 | Kalaakaar · as Father Of Hari (harish Raj) |
| 2009 | Thaakath · as Cast |
| 2009 | Anjadiru · as Cast |
| 2009 | Rajakumari · as Cast |
| 2009 | Shivamani · as Cast |
| 2009 | |
| 2009 | Kempa · as Shetty |
| 2009 | Gulama · as Vijay Kumar Singh The Police Commisioner |
| 2008 | Janumada Gelathi · as Cast |
| 2008 | Baa Bega Chandamama · as Poonacha |
| 2008 | Vamshi · as Cast |
| 2008 | Bombaat · as Cast |
| 2008 | |
| 2008 | Zindagi · as Cast |
| 2008 | Meravanige · as Cast |
| 2008 | |
| 2008 | Aramane · as Prakash |
| 2008 | Nanda Loves Nanditha · as Cast |
| 2008 | Shivani · as Cast |
| 2008 | Beladingalagi Baa · as A Police Inspector Who Is Father Of Vasu |
| 2007 | |
| 2007 | Road Romeo · as Cast |
| 2007 | |
| 2007 | |
| 2007 | Dadagiri · as Cast |
| 2007 | Madurai Veeran · as Vishvanathan |
| 2007 | Lakshmi Kalyanam · as Chalamayya |
| 2007 | Vidyarthi · as Cast |
| 2007 | |
| 2006 | Poi · as Valluvan |
| 2006 | Neelakanta · as Cast |
| 2006 | Kallarali Hoovagi · as Parashuramappa |
| 2006 | Vattaram · as Karuppusamy |
| 2006 | Thangigagi · as Acp Chandrashekhar |
| 2006 | |
| 2006 | |
| 2006 | Mohini 9886788888 · as Aadi |
| 2006 | Gandugali Kumara Rama · as Cast |
| 2006 | |
| 2006 | |
| 2006 | Paramasivan · as Dgp Rajasekar |
| 2006 | |
| 2006 | Mandya · as Bhoopayya |
| 2005 | Nammanna · as Cast |
| 2005 | |
| 2005 | Swamy · as Aravinda Desai |
| 2005 | |
| 2005 | |
| 2005 | |
| 2005 | Sye · as Sivaji |
| 2005 | Akash · as Cast |
| 2005 | Chandramukhi · as Ramachandra Acharya |
| 2005 | |
| 2005 | |
| 2005 | |
| 2005 | Maharaja · as Vishakantayya |
| 2005 | Shambu · as Cast |
| 2004 | |
| 2004 | Jyeshta · as Cast |
| 2004 | Aapthamitra · as Cast |
| 2004 | Durgi · as Teacher |
| 2004 | Kadamba · as Deputy Chief Minister |
| 2004 | |
| 2004 | |
| 2003 | |
| 2003 | Thirumalai · as Shwetha Father |
| 2003 | Khushi · as Durga Prasad |
| 2003 | Chigurida Kanasu · as Shanubhoga Rangaraya |
| 2003 | Anka · as Cast |
| 2003 | |
| 2003 | |
| 2003 | |
| 2003 | |
| 2003 | Kiccha · as Chief Minister |
| 2003 | Don · as Cast |
| 2003 | Bangalore Bandh · as Cast |
| 2003 | Mooru Manasu Nooru Kanasu · as Anand's Father |
| 2002 | Dweepa · as Ganapa |
| 2002 | Kitty · as Kitty's Brother |
| 2002 | |
| 2002 | Chandu · as Swathi's Father |
| 2002 | Appu · as Police Comisssioner / Suchithra's Father |
| 2002 | Balarama · as Cast |
| 2002 | Annayya Thammayya · as Cast |
| 2002 | Dil · as Cast |
| 2001 | |
| 2001 | Yuvaraja · as Coach Of Vetri & Yuvaraja |
| 2001 | Hoo Anthiya Uhoo Anthiya · as Cast |
| 2001 | |
| 2001 | Kanoonu · as Cast |
| 2001 | Huccha · as Kiccha's Brother |
| 2001 | Lankesha · as Cast |
| 2001 | Shaapa · as A Psychiatrist |
| 2001 | Mathadana · as Puttathammayya |
| 2001 | Vande Mataram · as Cast |
| 2001 | Chitte · as Cast |
| 2000 | Yajamana · as Devaraj |
| 2000 | |
| 2000 | Indradhanush · as Cast |
| 2000 | Khadga · as Cast |
| 1999 | |
| 1999 | Prathyartha · as Home Minister's Pa |
| 1999 | Chandrodaya · as Cop |
| 1999 | Drona · as Cast |
| 1999 | Nannaseya Hoove · as Cast |
| 1998 | Gadibidi Krishna · as Cast |
| 1998 | Suvvi Suvvalali · as Cast |
| 1998 | Mr Puttaswamy · as Cast |
| 1998 | Jungle Boy · as Sanjay |
| 1998 | Mayamruga · as Krishna Prasad |
| 1998 | Karnataka Police · as Cast |
| 1997 | Thaayavva · as Cast |
| 1997 | Raaja · as Cast |
| 1997 | Simhada Mari · as Cast |
| 1997 | |
| 1997 | CBI Durga · as Cast |
| 1997 | O Mallige · as Father Of Karishma |
| 1996 | Nammoora Mandaara Hoove · as Cast |
| 1996 | Rambha Rajyadalli Rowdy · as Cast |
| 1996 | Boss · as Cast |
| 1995 | Beladingala Baale · as Prabhakaran |
| 1995 | Shravana Sanje · as Shambhanna |
| 1994 | |
| 1994 | Samrat · as Cast |
| 1993 | Chinnari Mutha · as Saavanth |
| 1993 | Akasmika · as Reggie |
| 1993 | Nishkarsha · as Ramakrishna |
| 1993 | Mahendra Varma · as Cast |
| 1992 | Kaliyuga Seethe · as Cast |
| 1992 | Gopi Krishna · as Cast |
| 1992 | |
| 1992 | Mannina Doni · as Pradeep |
| 1991 | |
| 1991 | Kaun Kare Kurbanie · as Cast |
| 1991 | |
| 1991 | Sundara Kanda · as Editor, Shanthidevi Husband |
| 1990 | S.P. Sangliana II · as Imposter Of A Cbi Officer |
| 1990 | |
| 1990 | |
| 1990 | Swarna Samsara · as Diwakar |
| 1989 | Onti Salaga · as Cast |
| 1989 | Inspector Vikram · as Cast |
| 1989 | |
| 1989 | C.B.I. Shankar · as Vikram |
| 1989 | Tarka · as Inspector Cowry |
| 1988 | |
| 1988 | Samyuktha · as Gopal Rao |
| 1987 | Athiratha Maharatha · as Cast |
| 1986 | 27 Mavalli Circle · as P. R. Arun Kumar |
| 2013 | Bigg Boss Kannada · as Self |