Vishnuvardhan
Born: 1950-09-18 in Mysore, Karnataka, India
Died: 2009-12-30
Known For: Acting
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
2016
- Nagarahavu as King Nagaraja (created with CGI)
2010
- Aptharakshaka as Dr. Vijay
- School Master
2009
2007
- Ekadanta
- Ee Bandhana as Harish Raj
- Maathaad Maathaadu Mallige as Hoovaiah
2005
2004
- Jyeshta
- Apthamitra
- Kadamba as Madhukeshawara Kadamba
- Sahukara as Sahukara Raja Mahendra Varma
- Malla as Self - Narrator (voice)
2002
- Parva
- Jameendarru
- Simhadriya Simha as Narasimha Gowda and Chikka
2000
- Soorappa as Soorappa
- Yajamana as Shankar/Ganesha (Dual Role)
- Nan Hendthi Chennagiddale
- Okkadu Chaalu
- Deepavali
1999
- Habba as Vishnu
- Premotsava
- Suryavamsha as Sathyamurthy/Kanakamurthy (Dual Role)
- Veerappa Nayaka
1998
- Yaare Neenu Cheluve
- Nishyabdha as Major Vishwanath
- Simhada Guri
- Hendithghelthini
1994
- Zaalim as Inspector Mohan
- Halunda Tavaru
- Kiladigalu
- Samrat
- Kunthi Puthra
- Time Bomb
- Mahakshathriya
- Kotreshi Kanasu
1993
- Vishnu Vijaya
- Nishkarsha as Ajay Kumar
- Ashaant as Vishnu
- Raayaru Bandaru Maavana Manege as Vishnu
- Ithu Manjukaalam as Pauli
- Sangharsha
- Nanendu Nimmavane
- Manikantana Mahime
1992
- Ravi Varma
- Harakeya Kuri
- Kauravar as Haridas I.P.S.
- Belliyappa Bangarappa
1991
1990
- Ganeshana Maduve as Self
- Muthina Haara
- Shivashankar as Shivu / Shankar
- Mathe Hadithu Kogile as Anand
1989
1988
- Suprabhatha as Vijay Kumar
- Krishna Rukmini
- Jana Nayaka
- Nammoora Raja
- Daada as Daada
1987
- Shubha Milana
- Jayasimha
- Sowbhagya Lakshmi as Shyam / Chandru
- Jeevana Jyothi
1986
- Viduthalai as Amar
- Karna
- Sathya Jyothi as Ravi Varma
- Krishna Nee Begane Baaro
1985
- Eetti
- Veeradhi Veera
- Nee Bareda Kadambari
- Sri Raghavendrar as Sri Yogenthra Tirtha
- Nee Thanda Kanike
1984
- Aaradhane as Rajesh
- Bandhana as Dr. Harish
- Prachanda Kulla
- Khaidi
- Benki Birugali as Vishnu
- Maduve Maadu Thamashe Nodu as Ganesha
- Police Papanna as Guest Appearance
- Huli Hejje
1982
- Jimmy Gallu
- Sahasa Simha as Prathap
- Pedda Gedda
- Karmika Kallanalla
1980
- Kalinga as Prabhakar/ Ranga
- Driver Hanumanthu
- Makkala Sainya
- Bangarada Jinke
- Rahasya Rathri
1979
- Vijay Vikram
- Asadhya Aliya as Ashok
1978
- Sneha Sedu
- Kiladi Kittu as Kittu
- Sirithanakke Saval
- Muyyige Muyyi as Sanjay
- Amarnath as Guest Appearance
- Hombisilu as Dr. Nataraj
- Singaporenalli Raja Kulla as Raja
- Kiladi Jodi as George
- Vasantha Lakshmi as Chandru
1977
- Nagarahole
- Galaate Samsaara as Vasudev Rao
- Kittu Puttu as Kittu
- Chinna Ninna Muddaduve
- Sahodarara Savaal as Kiran
1976
- Hosilu Mettida Hennu
- Bangarada Gudi as Vijay
1975
- Kalla Kulla as Mahesh aka Kalla
- Onde Roopa Eradu Guna
- Naga Kanye
- Bhagya Jyothi
1974
- Boothayyana Maga Ayyu as Gulla
1973
- Seetheyalla Savithri
- Gandhada Gudi as Anand
- Alaigal as Inspector Raju
1972
- Naagarahaavu as Ramachari
1971
- Vamsha Vriksha as credited as "Kumar"