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 · School Master as
- 2009 · Bellary Naga as
- 2004 · Sahukara as Sahukara Raja Mahendra Varma
- 2004 · Kadamba as Madhukeshawara Kadamba
- 2003 · Hrudayavantha as
- 2003 · Raja Narasimha as
- 2002 · Jameendarru as
- 2001 · Kotigobba as Nanjunda
- 2000 · Deepavali as
- 2000 · Okkadu Chaalu as
- 1999 · Premotsava as
- 1999 · Habba as Vishnu
- 1998 · Simhada Guri as
- 1998 · Nishyabdha as Major Vishwanath
- 1997 · Mangala Suthra as
- 1995 · Himapatha as
- 1995 · Bangarada Kalasha as
- 1994 · Zaalim as Inspector Mohan
- 1994 · Mahakshathriya as
- 1994 · Kunthi Puthra as
- 1993 · Vishnu Vijaya as
- 1993 · Ashaant as Vishnu
- 1993 · Sangharsha as
- 1992 · Kauravar as Haridas I.P.S.
- 1991 · Inspector Dhanush as
- 1991 · Police Matthu Dada as
- 1991 · Jagadeka Veera as
- 1988 · Daada as Daada
- 1988 · Nammoora Raja as
- 1988 · Suprabhatha as Vijay Kumar
- 1987 · Jeevana Jyothi as
- 1987 · Jayasimha as
- 1985 · Sri Raghavendrar as Sri Yogenthra Tirtha
- 1984 · Huli Hejje as
- 1984 · Benki Birugali as Vishnu
- 1980 · Makkala Sainya as
- 1979 · Vijay Vikram as
- 1978 · Kiladi Jodi as George
- 1975 · Naga Kanye as
- 1973 · Gandhada Gudi as Anand
- Future · Marudhanayagam as Wajid Khan
- 2016 · Nagarahavu as King Nagaraja (created with CGI)
- 2010 · Aptharakshaka as Dr. Vijay
- 2009 · Namyajamanru 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 · Apthamitra as
- 2004 · Malla as Self - Narrator (voice)
- 2002 · Simhadriya Simha as Narasimha Gowda and Chikka
- 2002 · Parva as
- 2001 · Diggajaru as Wodeya
- 2000 · Yajamana as Shankar/Ganesha (Dual Role)
- 2000 · Nan Hendthi Chennagiddale as
- 2000 · Soorappa as Soorappa
- 1999 · Suryavamsha as Sathyamurthy/Kanakamurthy (Dual Role)
- 1999 · Veerappa Nayaka as
- 1998 · Hendithghelthini as
- 1998 · Yaare Neenu Cheluve as
- 1997 · Laali as
- 1997 · Ellaranthalla Nanna Ganda as
- 1997 · Janani Janmabhoomi as
- 1996 · Jeevanadi as
- 1996 · Baalina Jyothi as
- 1996 · Dhani as
- 1996 · Appaji as
- 1996 · Karnataka Suputhra as
- 1996 · Hello Daddy as
- 1995 · Karulina Kudi as
- 1995 · Thumbida Mane as
- 1995 · Mojugara Sogasugara as
- 1994 · Kiladigalu as
- 1994 · Halunda Tavaru as
- 1994 · Kotreshi Kanasu as
- 1994 · Samrat 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 · Ithu Manjukaalam as Pauli
- 1992 · Harakeya Kuri as
- 1992 · Belliyappa Bangarappa as
- 1992 · Ravi Varma 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 · Krishna Rukmini as
- 1988 · Jana Nayaka as
- 1987 · Shubha Milana 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 · Aaradhane as Rajesh
- 1984 · Khaidi as
- 1984 · Police Papanna as Guest Appearance
- 1984 · Prachanda Kulla as
- 1984 · Bandhana as Dr. Harish
- 1983 · Simha Gharjane as
- 1983 · Onde Guri 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 · Driver Hanumanthu as
- 1980 · Bangarada Jinke 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 · 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 · Onde Roopa Eradu Guna as
- 1975 · Kalla Kulla as Mahesh aka Kalla
- 1974 · Boothayyana Maga Ayyu as Gulla
- 1973 · Seetheyalla Savithri as
- 1973 · Alaigal as Inspector Raju
- 1972 · Naagarahaavu as Ramachari
- 1971 · Vamsha Vriksha as credited as "Kumar"