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 · School Master as
- 2009 · Bellary Naga as
- 2009 · Namyajamanru as
- 2007 · Maathaad Maathaadu Mallige as Hoovaiah
- 2007 · Ekadanta as
- 2005 · Vishnu Sena as
- 2005 · Varsha as
- 2004 · Jyeshta as
- 2004 · Sahukara as Sahukara Raja Mahendra Varma
- 2004 · Malla as Self - Narrator (voice)
- 2004 · Kadamba as Madhukeshawara Kadamba
- 2003 · Hrudayavantha as
- 2003 · Raja Narasimha as
- 2002 · Simhadriya Simha as Narasimha Gowda and Chikka
- 2002 · Jameendarru as
- 2001 · Kotigobba as Nanjunda
- 2001 · Diggajaru as Wodeya
- 2000 · Yajamana as Shankar/Ganesha (Dual Role)
- 2000 · Nan Hendthi Chennagiddale as
- 2000 · Deepavali as
- 2000 · Soorappa as Soorappa
- 2000 · Okkadu Chaalu as
- 1999 · Premotsava as
- 1999 · Habba as Vishnu
- 1999 · Veerappa Nayaka as
- 1998 · Hendithghelthini as
- 1998 · Simhada Guri as
- 1998 · Yaare Neenu Cheluve as
- 1998 · Nishyabdha as Major Vishwanath
- 1997 · Janani Janmabhoomi as
- 1997 · Mangala Suthra as
- 1996 · Baalina Jyothi as
- 1996 · Appaji as
- 1996 · Hello Daddy as
- 1995 · Himapatha as
- 1995 · Karulina Kudi as
- 1995 · Bangarada Kalasha as
- 1995 · Mojugara Sogasugara as
- 1994 · Zaalim as Inspector Mohan
- 1994 · Kotreshi Kanasu as
- 1994 · Mahakshathriya as
- 1994 · Kunthi Puthra as
- 1994 · Time Bomb as
- 1994 · Halunda Tavaru as
- 1993 · Ashaant as Vishnu
- 1993 · Vishnu Vijaya as
- 1993 · Manikantana Mahime as
- 1993 · Nanendu Nimmavane as
- 1993 · Ithu Manjukaalam as Pauli
- 1993 · Sangharsha as
- 1992 · Kauravar as Haridas I.P.S.
- 1991 · Inspector Dhanush as
- 1991 · Police Matthu Dada as
- 1991 · Jagadeka Veera as
- 1990 · Mathe Hadithu Kogile as Anand
- 1990 · Muthina Haara as
- 1990 · Ganeshana Maduve as Self
- 1989 · Hrudaya Geethe as
- 1988 · Daada as Daada
- 1988 · Krishna Rukmini as
- 1988 · Nammoora Raja as
- 1988 · Suprabhatha as Vijay Kumar
- 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 · Eetti as
- 1985 · Nee Bareda Kadambari as
- 1984 · Maduve Maadu Thamashe Nodu as Ganesha
- 1984 · Khaidi as
- 1984 · Prachanda Kulla as
- 1984 · Bandhana as Dr. Harish
- 1983 · Simha Gharjane as
- 1982 · Karmika Kallanalla as
- 1982 · Sahasa Simha as Prathap
- 1981 · Snehithara Saval as
- 1981 · Maha Prachandaru as
- 1981 · Avala Hejje as
- 1981 · Mane Mane Kathe as
- 1980 · Bangarada Jinke as
- 1980 · Rahasya Rathri as
- 1980 · Makkala Sainya as
- 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 · Sneha Sedu as
- 1978 · Muyyige Muyyi as Sanjay
- 1977 · Sahodarara Savaal as Kiran
- 1977 · Nagarahole as
- 1976 · Bangarada Gudi as Vijay
- 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 · Alaigal as Inspector Raju
- Future · Marudhanayagam as Wajid Khan
- 2010 · Aptharakshaka as Dr. Vijay
- 2007 · Ee Bandhana as Harish Raj
- 2006 · Sirivantha as
- 2006 · Neenello Nanalle as
- 2004 · Apthamitra as
- 2002 · Parva as
- 1999 · Suryavamsha as Sathyamurthy/Kanakamurthy (Dual Role)
- 1997 · Laali as
- 1997 · Ellaranthalla Nanna Ganda as
- 1996 · Jeevanadi as
- 1996 · Dhani as
- 1996 · Karnataka Suputhra as
- 1995 · Thumbida Mane as
- 1994 · Kiladigalu as
- 1994 · Samrat as
- 1993 · Nishkarsha as Ajay Kumar
- 1992 · Belliyappa Bangarappa as
- 1992 · Ravi Varma as
- 1991 · Neenu Nakkare Haalu Sakkare as
- 1991 · Lion Jagapathi Rao as
- 1990 · Shivashankar as Shivu / Shankar
- 1989 · Deva as
- 1988 · Jana Nayaka as
- 1985 · Sri Raghavendrar as Sri Yogenthra Tirtha
- 1984 · Huli Hejje as
- 1984 · Benki Birugali as Vishnu
- 1983 · Onde Guri as
- 1982 · Jimmy Gallu as
- 1982 · Pedda Gedda as
- 1980 · Kalinga as Prabhakar/ Ranga
- 1978 · Kiladi Kittu as Kittu
- 1978 · Hombisilu as Dr. Nataraj
- 1977 · Kittu Puttu as Kittu
- 1977 · Chinna Ninna Muddaduve as
- 1975 · Bhagya Jyothi as
- 1972 · Naagarahaavu as Ramachari
- Future · Raayaru Bandaru Maavana Manege as Vishnu
- 1971 · Vamsha Vriksha as credited as "Kumar"
- Future · Harakeya Kuri as
- 1984 · Police Papanna as Guest Appearance
- 1980 · Driver Hanumanthu as
- 1978 · Kiladi Jodi as George
- 1978 · Sirithanakke Saval as
- 1976 · Hosilu Mettida Hennu as
- 1975 · Naga Kanye as
- 1973 · Seetheyalla Savithri as