Vishnuvardhan
Photoplayd Industry Rating
Not enough rated films yet to compute a weighted score.
Roles are weighted by involvement: director 1.0, screenwriter 0.7, lead 0.8, supporting 0.4, crew 0.1.
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
Galaate Samsaara (1977)
as Vasudev Rao
Viduthalai (1986)
as Amar
Driver Hanumanthu (1980)
Actor
Aaradhane (1984)
as Rajesh
Sirivantha (2006)
Actor
Sneha Sedu (1978)
Actor
Jimmy Gallu (1982)
Actor
Suprabhatha (1988)
as Vijay Kumar
Ganeshana Maduve (1990)
as Self
Aptharakshaka (2010)
as Dr. Vijay
Eetti (1985)
Actor
Yaare Neenu Cheluve (1998)
Actor
Kalinga (1980)
as Prabhakar/ Ranga
Nishyabdha (1998)
as Major Vishwanath
Marudhanayagam (—)
as Wajid Khan
Ekadanta (2007)
Actor
Halunda Tavaru (1994)
Actor
Ee Bandhana (2007)
as Harish Raj
Kadamba (2004)
as Madhukeshawara Kadamba
Snehithara Saval (1981)
Actor
Jyeshta (2004)
Actor
Muyyige Muyyi (1978)
as Sanjay
Sahodarara Savaal (1977)
as Kiran
School Master (2010)
Actor
Zaalim (1994)
as Inspector Mohan
Kalla Kulla (1975)
as Mahesh aka Kalla
Apthamitra (2004)
Actor
Nagarahole (1977)
Actor
Jana Nayaka (1988)
Actor
Ravi Varma (1992)
Actor
Makkala Sainya (1980)
Actor
Varsha (2005)
Actor
Neenu Nakkare Haalu Sakkare (1991)
Actor
Nagarahavu (2016)
as King Nagaraja (created with CGI)
Hendithghelthini (1998)
Actor
Ashaant (1993)
as Vishnu
Bellary Naga (2009)
Actor
Nee Bareda Kadambari (1985)
Actor
Hombisilu (1978)
as Dr. Nataraj
Ellaranthalla Nanna Ganda (1997)
Actor
Kauravar (1992)
as Haridas I.P.S.
Kiladigalu (1994)
Actor
Vamsha Vriksha (1971)
as credited as "Kumar"
Deva (1989)
Actor
Hosilu Mettida Hennu (1976)
Actor
Sahasa Simha (1982)
as Prathap
Amarnath (1978)
as Guest Appearance
Onde Guri (1983)
Actor
Mathe Hadithu Kogile (1990)
as Anand
Bangarada Gudi (1976)
as Vijay
Naagarahaavu (1972)
as Ramachari
Thumbida Mane (1995)
Actor
Laali (1997)
Actor
Mane Mane Kathe (1981)
Actor
Krishna Rukmini (1988)
Actor
Vijay Vikram (1979)
Actor
Sirithanakke Saval (1978)
Actor
Parva (2002)
Actor
Shivashankar (1990)
as Shivu / Shankar
Bangarada Jinke (1980)
Actor
Soorappa (2000)
as Soorappa
Chinna Ninna Muddaduve (1977)
Actor
Bandhana (1984)
as Dr. Harish
Namyajamanru (2009)
Actor
Maha Prachandaru (1981)
Actor
Dhani (1996)
Actor
Karmika Kallanalla (1982)
Actor
Sahukara (2004)
as Sahukara Raja Mahendra Varma
Neenello Nanalle (2006)
Actor
Hello Daddy (1996)
Actor
Raayaru Bandaru Maavana Manege (1993)
as Vishnu
Jeevanadi (1996)
Actor
Kittu Puttu (1977)
as Kittu
Shubha Milana (1987)
Actor
Seetheyalla Savithri (1973)
Actor
Pedda Gedda (1982)
Actor
Hrudaya Geethe (1989)
Actor
Onde Roopa Eradu Guna (1975)
Actor
Rahasya Rathri (1980)
Actor
Karna (1986)
Actor
Boothayyana Maga Ayyu (1974)
as Gulla
Karnataka Suputhra (1996)
Actor
Veeradhi Veera (1985)
Actor
Asadhya Aliya (1979)
as Ashok
Maathaad Maathaadu Mallige (2007)
as Hoovaiah
Muthina Haara (1990)
Actor
Yajamana (2000)
as Shankar/Ganesha (Dual Role)
Kiladi Kittu (1978)
as Kittu
Manikantana Mahime (1993)
Actor
Sri Raghavendrar (1985)
as Sri Yogenthra Tirtha
Benki Birugali (1984)
as Vishnu
Jameendarru (2002)
Actor
Prachanda Kulla (1984)
Actor
Nan Hendthi Chennagiddale (2000)
Actor
Vishnu Sena (2005)
Actor
Nanendu Nimmavane (1993)
Actor
Himapatha (1995)
Actor
Lion Jagapathi Rao (1991)
Actor
Hrudayavantha (2003)
Actor
Nee Thanda Kanike (1985)
Actor
Maduve Maadu Thamashe Nodu (1984)
as Ganesha
Deepavali (2000)
Actor
Samrat (1994)
Actor
Inspector Dhanush (1991)
Actor
Premotsava (1999)
Actor
Jagadeka Veera (1991)
Actor
Bhagya Jyothi (1975)
Actor
Daada (1988)
as Daada
Nishkarsha (1993)
as Ajay Kumar
Raja Narasimha (2003)
Actor
Suryavamsha (1999)
as Sathyamurthy/Kanakamurthy (Dual Role)
Vishnu Vijaya (1993)
Actor
Police Papanna (1984)
as Guest Appearance
Malla (2004)
as Self - Narrator (voice)
Baalina Jyothi (1996)
Actor
Gandhada Gudi (1973)
as Anand
Kotigobba (2001)
as Nanjunda
Sowbhagya Lakshmi (1987)
as Shyam / Chandru
Mangala Suthra (1997)
Actor
Jeevana Jyothi (1987)
Actor
Karulina Kudi (1995)
Actor
Habba (1999)
as Vishnu
Simhada Guri (1998)
Actor
Veerappa Nayaka (1999)
Actor
Kunthi Puthra (1994)
Actor
Time Bomb (1994)
Actor
Naga Kanye (1975)
Actor
Simhadriya Simha (2002)
as Narasimha Gowda and Chikka
Mahakshathriya (1994)
Actor
Khaidi (1984)
Actor
Huli Hejje (1984)
Actor
Mojugara Sogasugara (1995)
Actor
Appaji (1996)
Actor
Ithu Manjukaalam (1993)
as Pauli
Belliyappa Bangarappa (1992)
Actor
Sangharsha (1993)
Actor
Police Matthu Dada (1991)
Actor
Kiladi Jodi (1978)
as George
Vasantha Lakshmi (1978)
as Chandru
Janani Janmabhoomi (1997)
Actor
Harakeya Kuri (1992)
Actor
Kotreshi Kanasu (1994)
Actor
Simha Gharjane (1983)
Actor
Bangarada Kalasha (1995)
Actor
Nammoora Raja (1988)
Actor
Avala Hejje (1981)
Actor
Jayasimha (1987)
Actor
Okkadu Chaalu (2000)
Actor
Diggajaru (2001)
as Wodeya
Krishna Nee Begane Baaro (1986)
Actor
Singaporenalli Raja Kulla (1978)
as Raja
Alaigal (1973)
as Inspector Raju