Vishnuvardhan
Acting • Born 1950-09-18 – Died 2009-12-30
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.
Filmography
150 credits
Benki Birugali
Movie • 1984
Vishnu
Suprabhatha
Movie • 1988
Vijay Kumar
Simhadriya Simha
Movie • 2002
Narasimha Gowda and Chikka
Muthina Haara
Movie • 1990
Kalinga
Movie • 1980
Prabhakar/ Ranga
Ganeshana Maduve
Movie • 1990
Self
Ithu Manjukaalam
Movie • 1993
Pauli
Sahukara
Movie • 2004
Sahukara Raja Mahendra Varma
Okkadu Chaalu
Movie • 2000
Sahasa Simha
Movie • 1982
Prathap
Karnataka Suputhra
Movie • 1996
Kauravar
Movie • 1992
Haridas I.P.S.
Aptharakshaka
Movie • 2010
Dr. Vijay
Boothayyana Maga Ayyu
Movie • 1974
Gulla
Bandhana
Movie • 1984
Dr. Harish
Diggajaru
Movie • 2001
Wodeya
Maathaad Maathaadu Mallige
Movie • 2007
Hoovaiah
Malla
Movie • 2004
Self - Narrator (voice)
Habba
Movie • 1999
Vishnu
Deva
Movie • 1989
Hombisilu
Movie • 1978
Dr. Nataraj
Ekadanta
Movie • 2007
Varsha
Movie • 2005
Vishnu Sena
Movie • 2005
Apthamitra
Movie • 2004
Nan Hendthi Chennagiddale
Movie • 2000
Yaare Neenu Cheluve
Movie • 1998
Krishna Nee Begane Baaro
Movie • 1986
Makkala Sainya
Movie • 1980
Sahodarara Savaal
Movie • 1977
Kiran
Bellary Naga
Movie • 2009
Kadamba
Movie • 2004
Madhukeshawara Kadamba
Manikantana Mahime
Movie • 1993
Nanendu Nimmavane
Movie • 1993
Halunda Tavaru
Movie • 1994
Naagarahaavu
Movie • 1972
Ramachari
Neenello Nanalle
Movie • 2006
Vamsha Vriksha
Movie • 1971
credited as "Kumar"
Karmika Kallanalla
Movie • 1982
Suryavamsha
Movie • 1999
Sathyamurthy/Kanakamurthy (Dual Role)
Kotreshi Kanasu
Movie • 1994
Kotigobba
Movie • 2001
Nanjunda
Alaigal
Movie • 1973
Inspector Raju
Jyeshta
Movie • 2004
Kiladi Kittu
Movie • 1978
Kittu
Yajamana
Movie • 2000
Shankar/Ganesha (Dual Role)
Ee Bandhana
Movie • 2007
Harish Raj
Kittu Puttu
Movie • 1977
Kittu
Gandhada Gudi
Movie • 1973
Anand
Nagarahavu
Movie • 2016
King Nagaraja (created with CGI)
Sri Raghavendrar
Movie • 1985
Sri Yogenthra Tirtha
Eetti
Movie • 1985
Zaalim
Movie • 1994
Inspector Mohan
Ashaant
Movie • 1993
Vishnu
Viduthalai
Movie • 1986
Amar
Belliyappa Bangarappa
Movie • 1992
Shivashankar
Movie • 1990
Shivu / Shankar
Nishkarsha
Movie • 1993
Ajay Kumar
Marudhanayagam
Movie
Wajid Khan
Asadhya Aliya
Movie • 1979
Ashok
Kalla Kulla
Movie • 1975
Mahesh aka Kalla
Bangarada Gudi
Movie • 1976
Vijay
Muyyige Muyyi
Movie • 1978
Sanjay
Vasantha Lakshmi
Movie • 1978
Chandru
Amarnath
Movie • 1978
Guest Appearance
Singaporenalli Raja Kulla
Movie • 1978
Raja
Kiladi Jodi
Movie • 1978
George
Mathe Hadithu Kogile
Movie • 1990
Anand
Nee Bareda Kadambari
Movie • 1985
Mane Mane Kathe
Movie • 1981
Raayaru Bandaru Maavana Manege
Movie • 1993
Vishnu
Nishyabdha
Movie • 1998
Major Vishwanath
Snehithara Saval
Movie • 1981
Onde Guri
Movie • 1983
Appaji
Movie • 1996
Daada
Movie • 1988
Daada
Soorappa
Movie • 2000
Soorappa
Simha Gharjane
Movie • 1983
Krishna Rukmini
Movie • 1988
Jimmy Gallu
Movie • 1982
Hrudaya Geethe
Movie • 1989
Jagadeka Veera
Movie • 1991
Bhagya Jyothi
Movie • 1975
Avala Hejje
Movie • 1981
Huli Hejje
Movie • 1984
Neenu Nakkare Haalu Sakkare
Movie • 1991
Khaidi
Movie • 1984
Bangarada Jinke
Movie • 1980
Veerappa Nayaka
Movie • 1999
Vijay Vikram
Movie • 1979
Jayasimha
Movie • 1987
Karna
Movie • 1986
Nammoora Raja
Movie • 1988
Maduve Maadu Thamashe Nodu
Movie • 1984
Ganesha
Sirivantha
Movie • 2006
Dhani
Movie • 1996
Mojugara Sogasugara
Movie • 1995
Lion Jagapathi Rao
Movie • 1991
Laali
Movie • 1997
Kiladigalu
Movie • 1994
Thumbida Mane
Movie • 1995
Kunthi Puthra
Movie • 1994
Samrat
Movie • 1994
Mahakshathriya
Movie • 1994
Parva
Movie • 2002
Jameendarru
Movie • 2002
Raja Narasimha
Movie • 2003
Hrudayavantha
Movie • 2003
Premotsava
Movie • 1999
Deepavali
Movie • 2000
Ellaranthalla Nanna Ganda
Movie • 1997
Janani Janmabhoomi
Movie • 1997
Mangala Suthra
Movie • 1997
Baalina Jyothi
Movie • 1996
Jeevanadi
Movie • 1996
Hello Daddy
Movie • 1996
Himapatha
Movie • 1995
Karulina Kudi
Movie • 1995
Bangarada Kalasha
Movie • 1995
Time Bomb
Movie • 1994
Vishnu Vijaya
Movie • 1993
Police Matthu Dada
Movie • 1991
Inspector Dhanush
Movie • 1991
Harakeya Kuri
Movie • 1992
Simhada Guri
Movie • 1998
Hendithghelthini
Movie • 1998
Ravi Varma
Movie • 1992
Sangharsha
Movie • 1993
Pedda Gedda
Movie • 1982
Prachanda Kulla
Movie • 1984
Police Papanna
Movie • 1984
Guest Appearance
Nee Thanda Kanike
Movie • 1985
Maha Prachandaru
Movie • 1981
Jeevana Jyothi
Movie • 1987
Sowbhagya Lakshmi
Movie • 1987
Shyam / Chandru
Seetheyalla Savithri
Movie • 1973
Naga Kanye
Movie • 1975
Jana Nayaka
Movie • 1988
School Master
Movie • 2010
Namyajamanru
Movie • 2009
Rahasya Rathri
Movie • 1980
Driver Hanumanthu
Movie • 1980
Sneha Sedu
Movie • 1978
Sirithanakke Saval
Movie • 1978
Nagarahole
Movie • 1977
Onde Roopa Eradu Guna
Movie • 1975
Hosilu Mettida Hennu
Movie • 1976
Chinna Ninna Muddaduve
Movie • 1977
Aaradhane
Movie • 1984
Rajesh
Shubha Milana
Movie • 1987