Vinaya Prasad hails from Udupi district of Karnataka state. Prasad made her film debut with a small role in G. V. Iyer's "Madhwacharya" in 1988. She worked in smaller character roles before playing the leading lady in "Ganeshana Maduve" opposite Anant Nag. The film was a huge success and she went on to act in more than 60 films in not only Kannada but also Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu. Some of her notable Kannada films include "Ganeshana Maduve", "Neenu Nakkare Haalu Sakkare", "Gauri Ganesha", "Mysore Jaana" and "Suryodaya". After a successful career as a lead actress, Prasad switched over to character roles in South Indian films and remains a sought-after actress in Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu movies. Prasad is also an effective compere and singer. Prasad has compered several important events like Vasantha Habba in Nrityagram and the annual Dasara procession in Mysore.