**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.
