# Avinash Yelandur

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 actors in the supporting category. He is one of the few actors to enjoy both critical and commercial success.

## 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 at Mysore and later at 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 had the privilege of playing 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. They have a son, Gaalav.

## Awards and recognition

* Karnataka State Film Award for Best Supporting Actor for Mathadana
* South Indian cinematographers association award for Best Supporting actor for Mathadana
* Film Fans Association award for Best Supporting Actor for Dweepa, Mathadana
* Jury's special mention for Dweepa, Singaaravva
* SIFA award for Best Supporting Actor for Aptharakshaka
* Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor – Kannada for Aptharakshaka
* Udaya TV award for excellence in cinema
* Suvarna TV award for Prithvi
* Aryabhata Award for Best Actor for TV series Shikari
* Rajyotsava Award of the Karnataka State Govt
* Kempegowda Award of the BBMP

## Partial filmography
### Kannada films

| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
| 1985 | Trishula | Damodar Rao | |
| 1986 | 27 Mavalli Circle | P. R. Arunkumar | |
| 1986 | Madhvacharya | Young Madhvacharya | |
| 1987 | Aapadbandhava | | |
| 1987 | Athiratha Maharatha | | |
| 1987 | Ravana Rajya | | |
| 1987 | Bandhamuktha | Prabhakar's friend | |
| 1987 | Sangrama | | |
| 1987 | Agni Parva | | |
| 1988 | Samyuktha | Gopal Rao | |
| 1988 | Krishna Mecchida Radhe | | |
| 1988 | Daada | Vishnu's friend | |
| 1988 | Mathru Vathsalya | Shekhar | |
| 1989 | Ondagi Balu | Thyagaraj | |
| 1989 | Tarka | Cowry | |
| 1989 | Yuddha Kaanda | Dr. Hegde | |
| 1989 | Onti Salaga | Ramesh | |
| 1989 | Deva | | |
| 1989 | Inspector Vikram | Rao | |
| 1989 | C.B.I. Shankar | Vikram | |
| 1990 | Ashwamedha | Muthanna | |
| 1990 | Kiladi Thatha | | |
| 1990 | Mathsara | Somashekhar | |
| 1990 | Poli Kitty | | |
| 1990 | Rudra Thandava | | |
| 1990 | S. P. Sangliyana Part 2 | Imposter of CBI officer | |
| 1990 | Swarna Samsara | | |
| 1990 | Utkarsha | Mahendra | |
| 1991 | Hathya Kanda | Prasad | |
| 1992 | Mannina Doni | Pradeep | |
| 1992 | Sangya Balya | Veeranna Setty | |
| 1993 | Chinnari Mutha | Saawanth | |
| 1993 | Aakasmika | Rijji | |
| 1994 | Nishkarsha | Ramakrishna | |
| 1994 | Lockup Death | Police Inspector | |
| 1994 | Kiladigalu | Chikkaraja | |
| 1996 | Huliya | Madagi | |
| 1997 | CBI Durga | | |
| 1998 | Karnataka Police | Captain | |
| 1999 | Om Namah Shivaya | | |
| 1999 | Drona | JD | |
| 1999 | Idu Entha Premavayya | Arun's brother | |
| 1999 | Hrudaya Hrudaya | | |
| 1999 | Nannaseya Hoove | | |
| 2000 | Yajamana | Devaraj | |
| 2001 | Lankesha | | |
| 2001 | Shaapa | Psychiatrist | |
| 2001 | Prema Rajya | | |
| 2001 | Huchcha | Kiccha's brother | |
| 2001 | Vishalakshammana Ganda | | |
| 2001 | Mathadana | Puttathammayya | Karnataka State Film Award for Best Supporting Actor |
| 2001 | Kotigobba | Keshava | |
| 2002 | Appu | Rajashekhar | |
| 2002 | Ninagagi | Dr. Subramanya | |
| 2002 | Karmugilu | Shankar | |
| 2002 | Balarama | Landlord | |
| 2002 | Dweepa | Ganapa | |
| 2003 | Don | Ramaswamy Iyengar | |
| 2003 | Singaaravva | Saragam Desai | |
| 2003 | Sri Ram | Lokayuktha DCP Kshetrapal | |
| 2003 | Raja Narasimha | | |
| 2003 | Thayi Illada Thabbali | Nanjappa | |
| 2003 | Chigurida Kanasu | Shanubhog | |
| 2003 | Khushi | Durga Prasad | |
| 2003 | Daasa | | |
| 2003 | Mani | | |
| 2004 | Apthamitra | Acharya Ramachandra Shastri | |
| 2004 | Durgi | | |
| 2004 | Kalasipalya | Seetharam | |
| 2004 | Veera Kannadiga | Vishwa | |
| 2005 | Valmiki | Deshpande | |
| 2005 | Sirichandana | | |
| 2005 | Aakash | Dayanand | |
| 2005 | Deadly Soma | | |
| 2005 | Siddu | | |
| 2005 | Sye | Sivaji | |
| 2005 | Aadi | Udayachandar | |
| 2005 | Amrithadhare | Puru's Father | |
| 2005 | News | Umesh | |
| 2005 | Swamy | Desai | |
| 2005 | Green Signal | | |
| 2006 | Mandya | Bhoopayya | |
| 2006 | Chellata | Chandrasekhar | |
| 2006 | Cyanide | Kempaiah IPS | |
| 2006 | Gandugali Kumararama | | |
| 2006 | Sirivantha | Mastan Bhai | |
| 2006 | Tananam Tananam | Gowda | |
| 2006 | Kallarali Hoovagi | Parashuramappa | |
| 2006 | Shree | | |
| 2007 | Hudugaata | S. K. Ananth Rao | |
| 2007 | Gunavantha | | |
| 2008 | Manasugula Mathu Madhura | | |
| 2008 | Bombaat | Ananthakrishnan | |
| 2008 | Baa Bega Chandamama | Poonacha | |
| 2008 | Chikkamagaloora Chikka Mallige | | |
| 2009 | Kabaddi | | |
| 2009 | Bellary Naga | Vishwanath Gowda | |
| 2010 | Police Quarters | Vishwanna | |
| 2010 | School Master | | |
| 2010 | Porki | Satya Narayan Murthy | |
| 2010 | Aptharakshaka | Acharya Ramachandra Shastri | Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor – Kannada |
| 2010 | Prithvi | Narasimha Nayak | |
| 2010 | Preethi Hangama | Geetha's boss | |
| 2011 | Karthik | | |
| 2011 | Hudugaru | Paramashiva Murthy | |
| 2011 | Paramathma | Srinivas | |
| 2011 | Putra | Narasimha | |
| 2012 | Shakti | | |
| 2012 | Anna Bond | Major Chandrakanth | |
| 2012 | Romeo | | |
| 2013 | Sandalwood Sa Re Ga Ma | | |
| 2013 | CID Eesha | | |
| 2013 | Jataayu | | |
| 2013 | Victory | DCP Rajendra | |
| 2013 | Kaddipudi | ACP Vijaya Prasad | |
| 2013 | Madarangi | Deepu's father | |
| 2014 | Angaaraka | | |
| 2014 | Ninnindale | Lakshmi Venkatesh | |
| 2014 | Ugramm | Shivarudra Lingaiah | |
| 2014 | Shivajinagara | Dayanand | |
| 2014 | Kalyanamasthu | | |
| 2014 | Ragini IPS | Hiremath | |
| 2014 | Huchudugaru | | |
| 2014 | Maryade | | |
| 2014 | Veera Pulikeshi | | |
| 2014 | Maanikya | | |
| 2014 | Hara | | |
| 2014 | Jasmine.5 | | |
| 2014 | Aakramana | | |
| 2014 | Power | | |
| 2015 | Mrugashira | | |
| 2015 | Vajrakaya | Viraj's adoptive father | |
| 2015 | Preethiyinda | Amar Kumar Pandey | |
| 2015 | Lodde | | |
| 2015 | Mr. Airavata | Police Commissioner | |
| 2015 | Goolihatti | | |
| 2015 | Dove | | |
| 2015 | 7 | | |
| 2015 | Ring Road Suma | | |
| 2015 | Bettanagere | | |
| 2015 | Alone | | |
| 2016 | Khanana | | |
| 2016 | Jaguar | College Principal | |
| 2016 | Kotigobba 2 | Landlord | |
| 2017 | Hebbuli | ACP Prathap | |
| 2017 | Raajakumara | Jagadeesh | |
| 2017 | Rogue | | |
| 2017 | Dandupalya 2 | Police Officer | |
| 2018 | Prema Baraha | Ram | |
| 2018 | Idam Premam Jeevanam | | |
| 2018 | Ambi Ning Vayassaytho | Nandini's father | |
| 2018 | Gultoo | Inspector Avinash | |
| 2018 | Vaasu Naan Pakka Commercial | | |
| 2018 | Victory 2 | DCP Rajendra | |
| 2018 | Orange | Huli Veeraiah | |
| 2019 | Natasaarvabhowma | Avinash | |
| 2019 | Dasharatha | | |
| 2019 | Akhaada | | Only dubbed versions released |
| 2019 | Pailwaan | Rukumini's father | |
| 2019 | Katha Sangama | | |
| 2020 | Arishadvarga | Manjunath Bhat | |
| 2020 | Shivarjuna | Rayappa | |
| 2020 | Law | Nandini's father | |
| 2020 | Act 1978 | Chief Minister of Karnataka | |
| 2021 | Roberrt | Omkar Shukla | |
| 2021 | Yuvarathnaa | Jayapal | |
| 2021 | Mugilpete | | |
| 2022 | James | Army officer | |
| 2022 | Home Minister | Renuka's father | |
| 2022 | Shiva 143 | Narasimha | |
| 2023 | Love Birds | | |
| 2023 | Vidhi (Article) 370 | | |
| 2023 | 19.20.21 | | |
| 2023 | Mariguddada Gaddadharigalu | | |
| 2023 | Suraari | | |
| 2023 | Siren | Police Commissioner Ashok Kumar | |
| 2023 | Yadha Yadha Hi | Avinash Bhat | |
| 2023 | Iravan | Dr Satya Murthy | |
| 2023 | Aparoopa | | |
| 2023 | David | | |
| 2023 | Sheela | | |
| 2023 | Sapta Saagaradaache Ello – Side A | Shankare Gowda | |
| 2023 | Mayanagari | | |
| 2023 | Kaatera | Shanubogha | |
| 2024 | Juni | Partha's father | |
| 2024 | Abbabba | Gopal Reddy | |
| 2024 | Bagheera | Ramakanth Appayya | |
| 2024 | Bhairathi Ranagal | | |
| 2025 | Forest | | |

### Tamil films

| Year | Film | Role |
| 2003 | Thirumalai | Ashok |
| 2005 | Chandramukhi | Ramachandra Acharya |
| 2006 | Paramasivan | DGP Rajasekar |
| 2006 | Vattaram | Karuppusamy |
| 2006 | Poi | Valluvanar |
| 2007 | Madurai Veeran | Vishvanathan |
| 2008 | Velli Thirai | Reddy |
| 2008 | Satyam | Sathyam's father |
| 2008 | Aegan | John's friend |
| 2010 | Kanagavel Kaaka | Vel's Father |
| 2010 | Siddhu +2 | Pavithra's father |
| 2011 | Siruthai | Bavuji |
| 2011 | 7aum Arivu | Pallava King |
| 2011 | Rajapattai | Chidambaram |
| 2013 | Udhayam NH4 | Avinash Gowda |
| 2014 | Veeram | Aavudayappan |
| 2014 | Meaghamann | Avinash Bhote |
| 2015 | Killadi | SP Easwarapandiyan |
| 2015 | Yennai Arindhaal | Hemanika's father |
| 2015 | Sandamarutham | |
| 2015 | Vedalam | Rahul's assistant |
| 2016 | Gethu | Craig's boss |
| 2016 | Moondraam Ullaga Por | Subramaniam |
| 2018 | Sollividava | Ram |
| 2019 | Neeya 2 | Ananda Siddhar |
| 2020 | College Kumar | Kaliyamurthy |
| 2022 | Sardar | Victor (Chetta) |
| 2022 | Connect | Father Alex |
| 2023 | Theedhum Soodhum Endhan Mugavari | |

### Telugu films

| Year | Film | Role |
| 2003 | Golmaal | Abdullah |
| 2007 | Lakshmi Kalyanam | Chalamaiah |
| 2008 | Sangamam | Raghava Rao |
| 2009 | Aa Okkadu | Swamy |
| 2010 | Nagavalli | Acharya Ramachandra Siddhanthi |
| 2012 | Daruvu | Shantaram |
| 2012 | Damarukam | Kaapaalika's chief |
| 2016 | Jaguar | College Principal |
| 2017 | Rogue | |
| 2017 | Raju Gari Gadhi 2 | Priest |
| 2020 | College Kumar | |
| 2021 | Akhanda | Akhanda's father |
| 2023 | Tantiram | Adhiban |
| 2025 | Dear Krishna | Balakrishna |

### Other language films

| Year | Film | Role | Language |
| 1998 | Jungle Boy | Sanjay | English |
| 2011 | Doubles | Louie | Malayalam |
| 2011 | 5ters: Castle of Dark Master | | Hindi |

## Other activities

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