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