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
- 2007 · Ee Bandhana as Harish Raj
- 2007 · Maathaad Maathaadu Mallige as Hoovaiah
- 2007 · Ekadanta as
- 2006 · Sirivantha as
- 2006 · Neenello Nanalle as
- 2005 · Vishnu Sena as
- 2005 · Varsha as
- 2004 · Jyeshta as
- 2004 · Sahukara as Sahukara Raja Mahendra Varma
- 2004 · Apthamitra as
- 2004 · Malla as Self - Narrator (voice)
- 2004 · Kadamba as Madhukeshawara Kadamba
- 2001 · Kotigobba as Nanjunda
- 2000 · Yajamana as Shankar/Ganesha (Dual Role)
- 2000 · Soorappa as Soorappa
- 2000 · Okkadu Chaalu as
- 1999 · Suryavamsha as Sathyamurthy/Kanakamurthy (Dual Role)
- 1999 · Habba as Vishnu
- 1998 · Yaare Neenu Cheluve as
- 1998 · Nishyabdha as Major Vishwanath
- 1997 · Laali as
- 1996 · Jeevanadi as
- 1996 · Baalina Jyothi as
- 1996 · Dhani as
- 1995 · Thumbida Mane as
- 1995 · Bangarada Kalasha as
- 1994 · Zaalim as Inspector Mohan
- 1994 · Kiladigalu as
- 1994 · Halunda Tavaru as
- 1993 · Ashaant as Vishnu
- 1993 · Vishnu Vijaya as
- 1993 · Raayaru Bandaru Maavana Manege as Vishnu
- 1993 · Nanendu Nimmavane as
- 1993 · Ithu Manjukaalam as Pauli
- 1993 · Nishkarsha as Ajay Kumar
- 1992 · Belliyappa Bangarappa as
- 1992 · Kauravar as Haridas I.P.S.
- 1991 · Inspector Dhanush as
- 1991 · Jagadeka Veera as
- 1990 · Mathe Hadithu Kogile as Anand
- 1990 · Muthina Haara as
- 1989 · Hrudaya Geethe as
- 1989 · Deva as
- 1988 · Daada as Daada
- 1988 · Krishna Rukmini as
- 1988 · Suprabhatha as Vijay Kumar
- 1986 · Viduthalai as Amar
- 1986 · Karna 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 · Prachanda Kulla as
- 1984 · Bandhana as Dr. Harish
- 1984 · Benki Birugali as Vishnu
- 1983 · Onde Guri as
- 1982 · Jimmy Gallu as
- 1982 · Pedda Gedda as
- 1982 · Karmika Kallanalla as
- 1981 · Snehithara Saval as
- 1980 · Bangarada Jinke as
- 1980 · Makkala Sainya as
- 1979 · Vijay Vikram as
- Future · Marudhanayagam as Wajid Khan
- 2009 · Bellary Naga as
- 2009 · Namyajamanru as
- 2003 · Hrudayavantha as
- 2003 · Raja Narasimha as
- 2002 · Simhadriya Simha as Narasimha Gowda and Chikka
- 2002 · Jameendarru as
- 2002 · Parva as
- 2001 · Diggajaru as Wodeya
- 2000 · Nan Hendthi Chennagiddale as
- 2000 · Deepavali as
- 1999 · Premotsava as
- 1999 · Veerappa Nayaka as
- 1998 · Hendithghelthini as
- 1998 · Simhada Guri as
- 1997 · Ellaranthalla Nanna Ganda as
- 1997 · Janani Janmabhoomi as
- 1997 · Mangala Suthra as
- 1996 · Karnataka Suputhra as
- 1996 · Appaji as
- 1996 · Hello Daddy as
- 1995 · Himapatha as
- 1995 · Karulina Kudi as
- 1995 · Mojugara Sogasugara as
- 1994 · Kotreshi Kanasu as
- 1994 · Mahakshathriya as
- 1994 · Samrat as
- 1994 · Kunthi Puthra as
- 1994 · Time Bomb as
- 1993 · Manikantana Mahime as
- 1993 · Sangharsha as
- 1992 · Harakeya Kuri as
- 1992 · Ravi Varma as
- 1991 · Police Matthu Dada as
- 1991 · Neenu Nakkare Haalu Sakkare as
- 1991 · Lion Jagapathi Rao as
- 1990 · Shivashankar as Shivu / Shankar
- 1990 · Ganeshana Maduve as Self
- 1988 · Jana Nayaka as
- 1988 · Nammoora Raja as
- 1987 · Shubha Milana as
- 1987 · Jeevana Jyothi as
- 1987 · Jayasimha as
- 1987 · Sowbhagya Lakshmi as Shyam / Chandru
- 1986 · Krishna Nee Begane Baaro as
- 1985 · Nee Thanda Kanike as
- 1984 · Khaidi as
- 1984 · Police Papanna as Guest Appearance
- 1983 · Simha Gharjane as
- 1982 · Sahasa Simha as Prathap
- 1981 · Maha Prachandaru as
- 1981 · Avala Hejje as
- 1981 · Mane Mane Kathe as
- 1980 · Driver Hanumanthu as
- 1980 · Rahasya Rathri as
- 1980 · Kalinga as Prabhakar/ Ranga
- 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"