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
- School Master
- Aptharakshaka as Dr. Vijay
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
- Simhadriya Simha as Narasimha Gowda and Chikka
- Jameendarru
2000
- Soorappa as Soorappa
- Nan Hendthi Chennagiddale
- Yajamana as Shankar/Ganesha (Dual Role)
- Deepavali
- Okkadu Chaalu
1999
- Suryavamsha as Sathyamurthy/Kanakamurthy (Dual Role)
- Habba as Vishnu
- Veerappa Nayaka
- Premotsava
1998
- Nishyabdha as Major Vishwanath
- Yaare Neenu Cheluve
- Hendithghelthini
- Simhada Guri
1994
- Zaalim as Inspector Mohan
- Halunda Tavaru
- Kiladigalu
- Samrat
- Time Bomb
- Kunthi Puthra
- Mahakshathriya
- Kotreshi Kanasu
1993
- Ashaant as Vishnu
- Raayaru Bandaru Maavana Manege as Vishnu
- Nanendu Nimmavane
- Manikantana Mahime
- Vishnu Vijaya
- Ithu Manjukaalam as Pauli
- Sangharsha
- Nishkarsha as Ajay Kumar
1992
- Ravi Varma
- Kauravar as Haridas I.P.S.
- Belliyappa Bangarappa
- Harakeya Kuri
1991
1990
- Ganeshana Maduve as Self
- Shivashankar as Shivu / Shankar
- Muthina Haara
- Mathe Hadithu Kogile as Anand
1989
1988
- Suprabhatha as Vijay Kumar
- Krishna Rukmini
- Jana Nayaka
- Daada as Daada
- Nammoora Raja
1987
- Shubha Milana
- Sowbhagya Lakshmi as Shyam / Chandru
- Jayasimha
- Jeevana Jyothi
1986
- Viduthalai as Amar
- Karna
- Krishna Nee Begane Baaro
1985
- Eetti
- Nee Bareda Kadambari
- Veeradhi Veera
- Sri Raghavendrar as Sri Yogenthra Tirtha
- Nee Thanda Kanike
1984
- Aaradhane as Rajesh
- Bandhana as Dr. Harish
- Benki Birugali as Vishnu
- Prachanda Kulla
- Maduve Maadu Thamashe Nodu as Ganesha
- Khaidi
- Huli Hejje
- Police Papanna as Guest Appearance
1983
1982
- Jimmy Gallu
- Pedda Gedda
- Sahasa Simha as Prathap
- Karmika Kallanalla
1980
- Driver Hanumanthu
- Kalinga as Prabhakar/ Ranga
- Makkala Sainya
- Bangarada Jinke
- Rahasya Rathri
1979
- Vijay Vikram
- Asadhya Aliya as Ashok
1978
- Sneha Sedu
- Sirithanakke Saval
- Hombisilu as Dr. Nataraj
- Muyyige Muyyi as Sanjay
- Amarnath as Guest Appearance
- Kiladi Kittu as Kittu
- Singaporenalli Raja Kulla as Raja
- Vasantha Lakshmi as Chandru
- Kiladi Jodi as George
1977
- Nagarahole
- Sahodarara Savaal as Kiran
- Chinna Ninna Muddaduve
- Kittu Puttu as Kittu
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"