Vishnuvardhan
Sampath Kumar (18 September 1950 – 30 December 2009), known by his stage name Vishnuvardhan, was an Indian actor who worked predominantly in Kannada cinema besides also having sporadically appeared in Tamil, Hindi, Telugu and Malayalam language films. Vishnuvardhan has a prolific career spanning over four decades, during which he has acted in more than 220 films. A popular cultural icon of Karnataka, and holds the status of a matinée idol among the Kannada diaspora. He is popularly called as Sahasa Simha, Dada and The Angry Young Man of Kannada Cinema. Vishnuvardhan's contributions to Kannada cinema have been praised by his contemporaries in the Indian film industry. The Government of Karnataka honoured him with the highest civilian awards of Karnataka State, the Karnataka Ratna Award in 2025, Rajyothsava Prashasthi in 1990 and the Dr. Rajkumar Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007 for his contributions to Kannada cinema. He was called The Phoenix of Indian Cinema. In 2008, a poll conducted by CNN-IBN listed Vishnuvardhan as the most popular star in the Kannada film industry.
Known For
Credits
- 2016 · Nagarahavu as King Nagaraja (created with CGI)
- 2010 · Aptharakshaka as Dr. Vijay
- 2010 · School Master as
- 2009 · Namyajamanru as
- 2007 · Ee Bandhana as Harish Raj
- 2007 · Ekadanta as
- 2006 · Sirivantha as
- 2005 · Varsha as
- 2004 · Jyeshta as
- 2004 · Sahukara as Sahukara Raja Mahendra Varma
- 2003 · Raja Narasimha as
- 2002 · Jameendarru as
- 2002 · Parva as
- 2001 · Kotigobba as Nanjunda
- 2001 · Diggajaru as Wodeya
- 2000 · Yajamana as Shankar/Ganesha (Dual Role)
- 2000 · Deepavali as
- 2000 · Soorappa as Soorappa
- 1999 · Habba as Vishnu
- 1998 · Yaare Neenu Cheluve as
- 1998 · Nishyabdha as Major Vishwanath
- 1997 · Ellaranthalla Nanna Ganda as
- 1997 · Janani Janmabhoomi as
- 1996 · Dhani as
- 1996 · Karnataka Suputhra as
- 1994 · Zaalim as Inspector Mohan
- 1994 · Halunda Tavaru as
- 1994 · Kotreshi Kanasu as
- 1994 · Samrat as
- 1993 · Ashaant as Vishnu
- 1993 · Vishnu Vijaya as
- 1992 · Belliyappa Bangarappa as
- 1992 · Kauravar as Haridas I.P.S.
- Future · Marudhanayagam as Wajid Khan
- 2009 · Bellary Naga as
- 2007 · Maathaad Maathaadu Mallige as Hoovaiah
- 2006 · Neenello Nanalle as
- 2005 · Vishnu Sena as
- 2004 · Apthamitra as
- 2004 · Malla as Self - Narrator (voice)
- 2004 · Kadamba as Madhukeshawara Kadamba
- 2003 · Hrudayavantha as
- 2002 · Simhadriya Simha as Narasimha Gowda and Chikka
- 2000 · Nan Hendthi Chennagiddale as
- 2000 · Okkadu Chaalu as
- 1999 · Premotsava as
- 1999 · Suryavamsha as Sathyamurthy/Kanakamurthy (Dual Role)
- 1999 · Veerappa Nayaka as
- 1998 · Hendithghelthini as
- 1998 · Simhada Guri as
- 1997 · Laali as
- 1997 · Mangala Suthra as
- 1996 · Jeevanadi as
- 1996 · Baalina Jyothi as
- 1996 · Appaji as
- 1996 · Hello Daddy as
- 1995 · Himapatha as
- 1995 · Karulina Kudi as
- 1995 · Thumbida Mane as
- 1995 · Bangarada Kalasha as
- 1995 · Mojugara Sogasugara as
- 1994 · Kiladigalu as
- 1994 · Mahakshathriya as
- 1994 · Kunthi Puthra as
- 1994 · Time Bomb as
- 1993 · Manikantana Mahime as
- 1993 · Raayaru Bandaru Maavana Manege as Vishnu
- 1993 · Nanendu Nimmavane as
- 1993 · Nishkarsha as Ajay Kumar
- 1993 · Sangharsha as
- 1993 · Ithu Manjukaalam as Pauli
- 1992 · Harakeya Kuri as
- 1992 · Ravi Varma as
- 1991 · Inspector Dhanush as
- 1991 · Police Matthu Dada as
- 1991 · Jagadeka Veera as
- 1991 · Neenu Nakkare Haalu Sakkare as
- 1991 · Lion Jagapathi Rao as
- 1990 · Mathe Hadithu Kogile as Anand
- 1990 · Muthina Haara as
- 1990 · Shivashankar as Shivu / Shankar
- 1990 · Ganeshana Maduve as Self
- 1989 · Hrudaya Geethe as
- 1989 · Deva as
- 1988 · Daada as Daada
- 1988 · Krishna Rukmini as
- 1988 · Jana Nayaka as
- 1988 · Nammoora Raja as
- 1988 · Suprabhatha as Vijay Kumar
- 1987 · Shubha Milana as
- 1987 · Jeevana Jyothi as
- 1987 · Jayasimha as
- 1987 · Sowbhagya Lakshmi as Shyam / Chandru
- 1986 · Krishna Nee Begane Baaro as
- 1986 · Viduthalai as Amar
- 1986 · Karna as
- 1985 · Nee Thanda Kanike as
- 1985 · Sri Raghavendrar as Sri Yogenthra Tirtha
- 1985 · Eetti as
- 1985 · Nee Bareda Kadambari as
- 1984 · Maduve Maadu Thamashe Nodu as Ganesha
- 1984 · Aaradhane as Rajesh
- 1984 · Huli Hejje as
- 1984 · Khaidi as
- 1984 · Police Papanna as Guest Appearance
- 1984 · Prachanda Kulla as
- 1984 · Bandhana as Dr. Harish
- 1984 · Benki Birugali as Vishnu
- 1983 · Simha Gharjane as
- 1983 · Onde Guri as
- 1982 · Jimmy Gallu as
- 1982 · Karmika Kallanalla as
- 1982 · Pedda Gedda as
- 1982 · Sahasa Simha as Prathap
- 1981 · Snehithara Saval as
- 1981 · Maha Prachandaru as
- 1981 · Avala Hejje as
- 1981 · Mane Mane Kathe as
- 1980 · Driver Hanumanthu as
- 1980 · Bangarada Jinke as
- 1980 · Rahasya Rathri as
- 1980 · Makkala Sainya as
- 1980 · Kalinga as Prabhakar/ Ranga
- 1979 · Vijay Vikram as
- 1979 · Asadhya Aliya as Ashok
- 1978 · Singaporenalli Raja Kulla as Raja
- 1978 · Amarnath as Guest Appearance
- 1978 · Vasantha Lakshmi as Chandru
- 1978 · Kiladi Jodi as George
- 1978 · Sneha Sedu as
- 1978 · Muyyige Muyyi as Sanjay
- 1978 · Sirithanakke Saval as
- 1978 · Kiladi Kittu as Kittu
- 1978 · Hombisilu as Dr. Nataraj
- 1977 · Kittu Puttu as Kittu
- 1977 · Sahodarara Savaal as Kiran
- 1977 · Chinna Ninna Muddaduve as
- 1977 · Nagarahole as
- 1976 · Bangarada Gudi as Vijay
- 1976 · Hosilu Mettida Hennu as
- 1975 · Bhagya Jyothi as
- 1975 · Naga Kanye as
- 1975 · Onde Roopa Eradu Guna as
- 1975 · Kalla Kulla as Mahesh aka Kalla
- 1974 · Boothayyana Maga Ayyu as Gulla
- 1973 · Gandhada Gudi as Anand
- 1973 · Seetheyalla Savithri as
- 1973 · Alaigal as Inspector Raju
- 1972 · Naagarahaavu as Ramachari
- 1971 · Vamsha Vriksha as credited as "Kumar"