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
- 2010 · Aptharakshaka as Dr. Vijay
- 2010 · School Master as
- 2009 · Bellary Naga as
- 2009 · Namyajamanru as
- 2007 · Ee Bandhana as Harish Raj
- 2007 · Maathaad Maathaadu Mallige as Hoovaiah
- 2007 · Ekadanta as
- 2005 · Varsha 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
- 2002 · Parva as
- 2001 · Kotigobba as Nanjunda
- 2001 · Diggajaru as Wodeya
- 2000 · Nan Hendthi Chennagiddale as
- 2000 · Deepavali as
- 2000 · Soorappa as Soorappa
- 2000 · Okkadu Chaalu as
- 1999 · Premotsava as
- 1999 · Veerappa Nayaka as
- 1998 · Hendithghelthini as
- 1998 · Simhada Guri as
- 1997 · Laali as
- 1997 · Ellaranthalla Nanna Ganda as
- 1997 · Janani Janmabhoomi as
- 1997 · Mangala Suthra as
- 1996 · Jeevanadi as
- 1996 · Baalina Jyothi as
- 1996 · Dhani as
- 1996 · Appaji as
- 1996 · Karnataka Suputhra 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 · Halunda Tavaru as
- 1994 · Kotreshi Kanasu as
- 1994 · Mahakshathriya as
- 1994 · Samrat as
- 1994 · Kunthi Puthra as
- 1994 · Time Bomb as
- 1993 · Vishnu Vijaya as
- 1993 · Ashaant as Vishnu
- 1993 · Manikantana Mahime as
- 1993 · Raayaru Bandaru Maavana Manege as Vishnu
- 1993 · Nanendu Nimmavane as
- 1993 · Nishkarsha as Ajay Kumar
- 1993 · Sangharsha as
- 1992 · Ravi Varma 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
- 1988 · Daada as Daada
- 1988 · Krishna Rukmini as
- 1988 · Jana Nayaka as
- 1988 · Suprabhatha as Vijay Kumar
- 1987 · Shubha Milana as
- 1987 · Jeevana Jyothi as
- 1987 · Jayasimha as
- 1986 · Krishna Nee Begane Baaro as
- 1986 · Karna as
- 1985 · Nee Thanda Kanike as
- 1985 · Nee Bareda Kadambari as
- 1985 · Veeradhi Veera 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 · Benki Birugali as Vishnu
- 1983 · Simha Gharjane as
- 1982 · Jimmy Gallu as
- 1982 · Pedda Gedda 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 · 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 · Kiladi Jodi as George
- 1978 · Sneha Sedu as
- 1978 · Sirithanakke Saval as
- 1978 · Kiladi Kittu as Kittu
- 1977 · Sahodarara Savaal as Kiran
- Future · Marudhanayagam as Wajid Khan
- 2016 · Nagarahavu as King Nagaraja (created with CGI)
- 2006 · Sirivantha as
- 2006 · Neenello Nanalle as
- 2005 · Vishnu Sena as
- 2004 · Jyeshta as
- 2004 · Apthamitra as
- 2000 · Yajamana as Shankar/Ganesha (Dual Role)
- 1999 · Suryavamsha as Sathyamurthy/Kanakamurthy (Dual Role)
- 1999 · Habba as Vishnu
- 1998 · Yaare Neenu Cheluve as
- 1998 · Nishyabdha as Major Vishwanath
- 1994 · Zaalim as Inspector Mohan
- 1993 · Ithu Manjukaalam as Pauli
- 1992 · Harakeya Kuri as
- 1992 · Belliyappa Bangarappa as
- 1992 · Kauravar as Haridas I.P.S.
- 1991 · Inspector Dhanush as
- 1989 · Hrudaya Geethe as
- 1989 · Deva as
- 1988 · Nammoora Raja as
- 1987 · Sowbhagya Lakshmi as Shyam / Chandru
- 1986 · Viduthalai as Amar
- 1985 · Sri Raghavendrar as Sri Yogenthra Tirtha
- 1985 · Eetti as
- 1984 · Bandhana as Dr. Harish
- 1983 · Onde Guri as
- 1980 · Driver Hanumanthu as
- 1980 · Makkala Sainya as
- 1978 · Vasantha Lakshmi as Chandru
- 1978 · Muyyige Muyyi as Sanjay
- 1978 · Hombisilu as Dr. Nataraj
- 1977 · Kittu Puttu as Kittu
- 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"