Vishnuvardhan
Acting
- Born:
- 1950-09-18
- Died:
- 2009-12-30
- Place of birth:
- Mysore, Karnataka, India
Biography
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
Filmography
Nagarahavu
Aptharakshaka
School Master
Bellary Naga
Namyajamanru
Ee Bandhana
Maathaad Maathaadu Mallige
Ekadanta
Sirivantha
Neenello Nanalle
Vishnu Sena
Varsha
Jyeshta
Sahukara
Apthamitra
Malla
Kadamba
Hrudayavantha
Raja Narasimha
Simhadriya Simha
Jameendarru
Parva
Kotigobba
Diggajaru
Yajamana
Nan Hendthi Chennagiddale
Deepavali
Soorappa
Okkadu Chaalu
Premotsava
Suryavamsha
Habba
Veerappa Nayaka
Hendithghelthini
Simhada Guri
Yaare Neenu Cheluve
Nishyabdha
Laali
Ellaranthalla Nanna Ganda
Janani Janmabhoomi
Mangala Suthra
Jeevanadi
Baalina Jyothi
Dhani
Karnataka Suputhra
Appaji
Hello Daddy
Himapatha
Karulina Kudi
Thumbida Mane
Bangarada Kalasha
Mojugara Sogasugara
Zaalim
Kiladigalu
Halunda Tavaru
Kotreshi Kanasu
Mahakshathriya
Samrat
Kunthi Puthra
Time Bomb
Ashaant
Vishnu Vijaya
Manikantana Mahime
Raayaru Bandaru Maavana Manege
Nanendu Nimmavane
Ithu Manjukaalam
Nishkarsha
Sangharsha
Harakeya Kuri
Belliyappa Bangarappa
Ravi Varma
Kauravar
Police Matthu Dada
Inspector Dhanush
Jagadeka Veera
Neenu Nakkare Haalu Sakkare
Lion Jagapathi Rao
Mathe Hadithu Kogile
Muthina Haara
Shivashankar
Ganeshana Maduve
Hrudaya Geethe
Deva
Daada
Krishna Rukmini
Jana Nayaka
Nammoora Raja
Suprabhatha
Shubha Milana
Jeevana Jyothi
Jayasimha
Malgudi Days
Sowbhagya Lakshmi
Krishna Nee Begane Baaro
Viduthalai
Karna
Sathya Jyothi
Nee Thanda Kanike
Sri Raghavendrar
Eetti
Nee Bareda Kadambari
Veeradhi Veera
Maduve Maadu Thamashe Nodu
Aaradhane
Huli Hejje
Khaidi
Police Papanna
Prachanda Kulla
Benki Birugali
Bandhana
Simha Gharjane
Mutthaide Bhagya
Onde Guri
Gandharva Giri
Jimmy Gallu
Sahasa Simha
Karmika Kallanalla
Pedda Gedda
Snehithara Saval
Maha Prachandaru
Avala Hejje
Mane Mane Kathe
Driver Hanumanthu
Bangarada Jinke
Rahasya Rathri
Makkala Sainya
Kalinga
Rama Parushurama
Naniruvude Ninagagi
Vijay Vikram
Asadhya Aliya
Singaporenalli Raja Kulla
Amarnath
Vasantha Lakshmi
Kiladi Jodi
Sneha Sedu
Muyyige Muyyi
Sirithanakke Saval
Kiladi Kittu
Vamsha Jyothi
Hombisilu
Kittu Puttu
Galaate Samsaara
Sahodarara Savaal
Chinna Ninna Muddaduve
Nagarahole
Bangarada Gudi
Hosilu Mettida Hennu
Bhagya Jyothi
Naga Kanye
Onde Roopa Eradu Guna
Kalla Kulla
Boothayyana Maga Ayyu
Gandhada Gudi
Seetheyalla Savithri
Alaigal
Naagarahaavu
Vamsha Vriksha
Marudhanayagam