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