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
- Maathaad Maathaadu Mallige as Hoovaiah
- Ee Bandhana as Harish Raj
- Ekadanta
2005
2004
- Sahukara as Sahukara Raja Mahendra Varma
- Kadamba as Madhukeshawara Kadamba
- Jyeshta
- Apthamitra
- Malla as Self - Narrator (voice)
2002
- Parva
- Simhadriya Simha as Narasimha Gowda and Chikka
- Jameendarru
2000
- Nan Hendthi Chennagiddale
- Okkadu Chaalu
- Yajamana as Shankar/Ganesha (Dual Role)
- Deepavali
- Soorappa as Soorappa
1999
- Habba as Vishnu
- Suryavamsha as Sathyamurthy/Kanakamurthy (Dual Role)
- Veerappa Nayaka
- Premotsava
1998
- Yaare Neenu Cheluve
- Nishyabdha as Major Vishwanath
- Hendithghelthini
- Simhada Guri
1994
- Zaalim as Inspector Mohan
- Samrat
- Mahakshathriya
- Halunda Tavaru
- Kunthi Puthra
- Kiladigalu
- Kotreshi Kanasu
- Time Bomb
1993
- Nishkarsha as Ajay Kumar
- Ithu Manjukaalam as Pauli
- Vishnu Vijaya
- Ashaant as Vishnu
- Raayaru Bandaru Maavana Manege as Vishnu
- Nanendu Nimmavane
- Sangharsha
- Manikantana Mahime
1992
- Kauravar as Haridas I.P.S.
- Harakeya Kuri
- Ravi Varma
- Belliyappa Bangarappa
1991
1990
- Shivashankar as Shivu / Shankar
- Ganeshana Maduve as Self
- Mathe Hadithu Kogile as Anand
- Muthina Haara
1989
1988
- Daada as Daada
- Jana Nayaka
- Suprabhatha as Vijay Kumar
- Nammoora Raja
- Krishna Rukmini
1987
- Jayasimha
- Sowbhagya Lakshmi as Shyam / Chandru
- Jeevana Jyothi
- Shubha Milana
1986
- Viduthalai as Amar
- Karna
- Krishna Nee Begane Baaro
1985
- Sri Raghavendrar as Sri Yogenthra Tirtha
- Nee Thanda Kanike
- Nee Bareda Kadambari
- Eetti
1984
- Maduve Maadu Thamashe Nodu as Ganesha
- Aaradhane as Rajesh
- Bandhana as Dr. Harish
- Benki Birugali as Vishnu
- Prachanda Kulla
- Police Papanna as Guest Appearance
- Khaidi
- Huli Hejje
1983
1982
- Pedda Gedda
- Jimmy Gallu
- Karmika Kallanalla
- Sahasa Simha as Prathap
1980
- Makkala Sainya
- Kalinga as Prabhakar/ Ranga
- Driver Hanumanthu
- Rahasya Rathri
- Bangarada Jinke
1979
- Vijay Vikram
- Asadhya Aliya as Ashok
1978
- Amarnath as Guest Appearance
- Kiladi Jodi as George
- Hombisilu as Dr. Nataraj
- Vasantha Lakshmi as Chandru
- Kiladi Kittu as Kittu
- Singaporenalli Raja Kulla as Raja
- Muyyige Muyyi as Sanjay
- Sneha Sedu
- Sirithanakke Saval
1977
- Sahodarara Savaal as Kiran
- Kittu Puttu as Kittu
- Chinna Ninna Muddaduve
- Nagarahole
1976
- Bangarada Gudi as Vijay
- Hosilu Mettida Hennu
1975
- Kalla Kulla as Mahesh aka Kalla
- Naga Kanye
- Bhagya Jyothi
- Onde Roopa Eradu Guna
1974
- Boothayyana Maga Ayyu as Gulla
1973
- Gandhada Gudi as Anand
- Alaigal as Inspector Raju
- Seetheyalla Savithri
1972
- Naagarahaavu as Ramachari
1971
- Vamsha Vriksha as credited as "Kumar"