Hema Chaudhary, also known as Durga Prabha, is an Indian actress who has appeared in over 180 films in Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam, and Tamil. She was born on December 10, 1955 and has appeared in more than 60 films, including Gaali Maathu, Ganga, and Manmadha Leelai. She started her career as the lead actress in the 1976 Telugu film Pelli Kani Pelli, and then moved to supporting roles in the 1980s. She has also appeared in several television serials, including Nayaki. 

Chaudhary is also an accomplished Kuchipudi dancer who has performed over 700 times with her guru, Vempati Chinna Satyam. She previously served as a judge on the National Film Awards Committee for three years. 

In December 2023, Chaudhary was hospitalized after suffering a brain hemorrhage and placed in the intensive care unit at Apollo Hospital in Jayanagar, Bengaluru. Her family is awaiting the arrival of her son from abroad.