Vinay Gowda (ವಿನಯ್ ಗೌಡ), also called Vini or Vinu, is an Indian actor born on 7 March 1979 in Sadhashivanagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka. He attended St. Ann's High School, Rajajinagar, Bengaluru, and graduated with a Bachelor of Business Management from KLE Society's S. Nijalingappa College. He has a brother, a sister, and a tattoo of Lord Shiva on his right arm - a tribute to the role that made him famous. His father, who worked in cinema, passed away in 2016. He married his childhood sweetheart Akshatha Gowda (herself an actress) on 16 June 2008; they have a son. At age 21, following a quarrel with his parents, he moved to Mumbai and worked as a hotel manager for several years before his sister-in-law Nishitha Gowda convinced him to try acting. He made his television debut with Chitte Hejje (2013) and appeared in CID Karnataka (2013), Ambari (2014), Amma (2016), Bayasade Bali Bande (2019, as producer for a few episodes), Nandini (2019), and Marali Manasagide (2021). His defining role came in 2016 when he was cast as Lord Shiva in Hara Hara Mahadeva (Star Suvarna), opposite Sangeetha Sringeri's Sati - he played the role for 421 episodes across 2016-2018 and even got a Lord Shiva tattoo. He went on to portray Ravana in Jai Hanumana (2018) and Lord Shiva again in Yediyuru Shri Siddhalingeshwara (2020). He has also played notable villain roles as Badrinath Chinni in Namma Lacchi (2023) and in Shambhavi (2023). In Telugu television, he appeared in Ravoyi Chandamama (2021). In cinema, he debuted in Rocket (2015) and appeared in ATM: Attempt to Murder (2018), Shivaji Surathkal (2020), the blockbuster Pogaru (2021, with Dhruva Sarja and Rashmika Mandanna), Khaimara (2023), Billa Ranga Baasha, and Martin. He and Akshatha also won the dance reality show Super Jodi (2016) and participated in Ismart Jodi (2022). In October 2023, he entered Bigg Boss Kannada Season 10. He survived the season despite controversy over aggressive behaviour in the early weeks, reaching the finale and finishing as the third runner-up on 28 January 2024.
Iconic portrayal of Lord Shiva in the Kannada mythological serial Hara Hara Mahadeva (Star Suvarna, 2016-2018, 421 episodes); villain role as Roshan Ravi in the film Shivaji Surathkal (2020); winning Super Jodi dance reality show (Star Suvarna, 2016) with wife Akshatha Gowda; films Pogaru (2021) and Martin (2022); finishing as third runner-up on Bigg Boss Kannada Season 10 (2024).