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