Vishnuvardhan
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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
Bellary Naga (2009)
Actor
Galaate Samsaara (1977)
as Vasudev Rao
Driver Hanumanthu (1980)
Actor
Sneha Sedu (1978)
Actor
Halunda Tavaru (1994)
Actor
Aptharakshaka (2010)
as Dr. Vijay
Kiladi Kittu (1978)
as Kittu
Nishyabdha (1998)
as Major Vishwanath
Aaradhane (1984)
as Rajesh
Sirivantha (2006)
Actor
Rama Parushurama (1980)
Actor
Varsha (2005)
Actor
Sathya Jyothi (1986)
as Ravi Varma
Jimmy Gallu (1982)
Actor
Nagarahavu (2016)
as King Nagaraja (created with CGI)
Dhani (1996)
Actor
Nagarahole (1977)
Actor
Soorappa (2000)
as Soorappa
Suprabhatha (1988)
as Vijay Kumar
Apthamitra (2004)
Actor
School Master (2010)
Actor
Makkala Sainya (1980)
Actor
Marudhanayagam (—)
as Wajid Khan
Naagarahaavu (1972)
as Ramachari
Ravi Varma (1992)
Actor
Karna (1986)
Actor
Muthina Haara (1990)
Actor
Shubha Milana (1987)
Actor
Bangarada Jinke (1980)
Actor
Vijay Vikram (1979)
Actor
Zaalim (1994)
as Inspector Mohan
Bandhana (1984)
as Dr. Harish
Sahodarara Savaal (1977)
as Kiran
Neenu Nakkare Haalu Sakkare (1991)
Actor
Deva (1989)
Actor
Maha Prachandaru (1981)
Actor
Kalinga (1980)
as Prabhakar/ Ranga
Kadamba (2004)
as Madhukeshawara Kadamba
Muyyige Muyyi (1978)
as Sanjay
Yaare Neenu Cheluve (1998)
Actor
Ee Bandhana (2007)
as Harish Raj
Hombisilu (1978)
as Dr. Nataraj
Ashaant (1993)
as Vishnu
Eetti (1985)
Actor
Viduthalai (1986)
as Amar
Boothayyana Maga Ayyu (1974)
as Gulla
Hosilu Mettida Hennu (1976)
Actor
Pedda Gedda (1982)
Actor
Jyeshta (2004)
Actor
Sirithanakke Saval (1978)
Actor
Ekadanta (2007)
Actor
Gandharva Giri (1983)
Actor
Ganeshana Maduve (1990)
as Self
Kalla Kulla (1975)
as Mahesh'Kalla'
Jeevanadi (1996)
Actor
Parva (2002)
Actor
Mane Mane Kathe (1981)
Actor
Neenello Nanalle (2006)
Actor
Chinna Ninna Muddaduve (1977)
Actor
Hendithghelthini (1998)
Actor
Hrudaya Geethe (1989)
Actor
Raayaru Bandaru Maavana Manege (1993)
as Vishnu
Seetheyalla Savithri (1973)
Actor
Thumbida Mane (1995)
Actor
Onde Guri (1983)
Actor
Kiladigalu (1994)
Actor
Nee Bareda Kadambari (1985)
Actor
Asadhya Aliya (1979)
as Ashok
Bangarada Gudi (1976)
as Vijay
Kittu Puttu (1977)
as Kittu
Krishna Rukmini (1988)
Actor
Onde Roopa Eradu Guna (1975)
Actor
Shivashankar (1990)
as Shivu / Shankar
Namyajamanru (2009)
Actor
Yajamana (2000)
as Shankar/Ganesha (Dual Role)
Laali (1997)
Actor
Sahukara (2004)
as Sahukara Raja Mahendra Varma
Benki Birugali (1984)
as Vishnu
Prachanda Kulla (1984)
Actor
Jana Nayaka (1988)
Actor
Kotigobba (2001)
as Nanjunda
Veeradhi Veera (1985)
Actor
Sahasa Simha (1982)
as Prathap
Amarnath (1978)
as Guest Appearance
Mathe Hadithu Kogile (1990)
as Anand
Nee Thanda Kanike (1985)
Actor
Kauravar (1992)
as Haridas I.P.S.
Hello Daddy (1996)
Actor
Ellaranthalla Nanna Ganda (1997)
Actor
Karmika Kallanalla (1982)
Actor
Vamsha Vriksha (1971)
as credited as "Kumar"
Gandhada Gudi (1973)
as Anand
Sri Raghavendrar (1985)
as Sri Yogenthra Tirtha
Rahasya Rathri (1980)
Actor
Ithu Manjukaalam (1993)
as Pauli
Maathaad Maathaadu Mallige (2007)
as Hoovaiah
Time Bomb (1994)
Actor
Malla (2004)
as Self - Narrator (voice)
Belliyappa Bangarappa (1992)
Actor
Vishnu Sena (2005)
Actor
Jagadeka Veera (1991)
Actor
Mojugara Sogasugara (1995)
Actor
Jameendarru (2002)
Actor
Police Matthu Dada (1991)
Actor
Habba (1999)
as Vishnu
Himapatha (1995)
Actor
Sowbhagya Lakshmi (1987)
as Shyam / Chandru
Mutthaide Bhagya (1983)
Actor
Raja Narasimha (2003)
Actor
Daada (1988)
as Daada
Maduve Maadu Thamashe Nodu (1984)
as Ganesha
Mangala Suthra (1997)
Actor
Okkadu Chaalu (2000)
Actor
Nishkarsha (1993)
as Ajay Kumar
Vishnu Vijaya (1993)
Actor
Hrudayavantha (2003)
Actor
Krishna Nee Begane Baaro (1986)
Actor
Nan Hendthi Chennagiddale (2000)
Actor
Kiladi Jodi (1978)
as George
Karulina Kudi (1995)
Actor
Kunthi Puthra (1994)
Actor
Suryavamsha (1999)
as Sathyamurthy/Kanakamurthy (Dual Role)
Samrat (1994)
Actor
Alaigal (1973)
as Inspector Raju
Lion Jagapathi Rao (1991)
Actor
Inspector Dhanush (1991)
Actor
Bangarada Kalasha (1995)
Actor
Avala Hejje (1981)
Actor
Snehithara Saval (1981)
Actor
Deepavali (2000)
Actor
Simha Gharjane (1983)
Actor
Karnataka Suputhra (1996)
Actor
Premotsava (1999)
Actor
Singaporenalli Raja Kulla (1978)
as Raja
Nammoora Raja (1988)
Actor
Harakeya Kuri (1992)
Actor
Police Papanna (1984)
as Guest Appearance
Nanendu Nimmavane (1993)
Actor
Huli Hejje (1984)
Actor
Sangharsha (1993)
Actor
Vasantha Lakshmi (1978)
as Chandru
Baalina Jyothi (1996)
Actor
Naniruvude Ninagagi (1979)
as Vijay
Naga Kanye (1975)
Actor
Jayasimha (1987)
Actor
Simhada Guri (1998)
Actor
Veerappa Nayaka (1999)
Actor
Manikantana Mahime (1993)
Actor
Bhagya Jyothi (1975)
Actor
Mahakshathriya (1994)
Actor
Kotreshi Kanasu (1994)
Actor
Diggajaru (2001)
as Wodeya
Janani Janmabhoomi (1997)
Actor
Khaidi (1984)
Actor
Jeevana Jyothi (1987)
Actor
Simhadriya Simha (2002)
as Narasimha Gowda and Chikka
Appaji (1996)
Actor
Vamsha Jyothi (1978)
as Mahesh