Vishnuvardhan
Actor
Born September 18, 1950 in Mysore, Karnataka, India
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
Marudhanayagam
Wajid Khan
Nagarahavu
King Nagaraja (created with CGI)
Aptharakshaka
Dr. Vijay
School Master
Bellary Naga
Namyajamanru
Ee Bandhana
Harish Raj
Maathaad Maathaadu Mallige
Hoovaiah
Ekadanta
Sirivantha
Neenello Nanalle
Vishnu Sena
Varsha
Jyeshta
Sahukara
Sahukara Raja Mahendra Varma
Apthamitra
Malla
Self - Narrator (voice)
Kadamba
Madhukeshawara Kadamba
Hrudayavantha
Raja Narasimha
Simhadriya Simha
Narasimha Gowda and Chikka
Jameendarru
Parva
Kotigobba
Nanjunda
Diggajaru
Wodeya
Yajamana
Shankar/Ganesha (Dual Role)
Nan Hendthi Chennagiddale
Deepavali
Soorappa
Soorappa
Okkadu Chaalu
Premotsava
Suryavamsha
Sathyamurthy/Kanakamurthy (Dual Role)
Habba
Vishnu
Veerappa Nayaka
Hendithghelthini
Simhada Guri
Yaare Neenu Cheluve
Nishyabdha
Major Vishwanath
Laali
Ellaranthalla Nanna Ganda
Janani Janmabhoomi
Mangala Suthra
Jeevanadi
Baalina Jyothi
Dhani
Karnataka Suputhra
Appaji
Hello Daddy
Himapatha
Karulina Kudi
Thumbida Mane
Bangarada Kalasha
Mojugara Sogasugara
Zaalim
Inspector Mohan
Kiladigalu
Halunda Tavaru
Kotreshi Kanasu
Mahakshathriya
Samrat
Kunthi Puthra
Time Bomb
Ashaant
Vishnu
Vishnu Vijaya
Manikantana Mahime
Raayaru Bandaru Maavana Manege
Vishnu
Nanendu Nimmavane
Ithu Manjukaalam
Pauli
Nishkarsha
Ajay Kumar
Sangharsha
Harakeya Kuri
Belliyappa Bangarappa
Ravi Varma
Kauravar
Haridas I.P.S.
Police Matthu Dada
Inspector Dhanush
Jagadeka Veera
Neenu Nakkare Haalu Sakkare
Lion Jagapathi Rao
Mathe Hadithu Kogile
Anand
Muthina Haara
Shivashankar
Shivu / Shankar
Ganeshana Maduve
Self
Hrudaya Geethe
Deva
Daada
Daada
Krishna Rukmini
Jana Nayaka
Nammoora Raja
Suprabhatha
Vijay Kumar
Shubha Milana
Jeevana Jyothi
Jayasimha
Sowbhagya Lakshmi
Shyam / Chandru
Krishna Nee Begane Baaro
Viduthalai
Amar
Karna
Nee Thanda Kanike
Sri Raghavendrar
Sri Yogenthra Tirtha
Eetti
Nee Bareda Kadambari
Maduve Maadu Thamashe Nodu
Ganesha
Aaradhane
Rajesh
Huli Hejje
Khaidi
Police Papanna
Guest Appearance
Prachanda Kulla
Benki Birugali
Vishnu
Bandhana
Dr. Harish
Simha Gharjane
Onde Guri
Jimmy Gallu
Sahasa Simha
Prathap
Karmika Kallanalla
Pedda Gedda
Snehithara Saval
Maha Prachandaru
Avala Hejje
Mane Mane Kathe
Driver Hanumanthu
Bangarada Jinke
Rahasya Rathri
Makkala Sainya
Kalinga
Prabhakar/ Ranga
Vijay Vikram
Asadhya Aliya
Ashok
Singaporenalli Raja Kulla
Raja
Amarnath
Guest Appearance
Vasantha Lakshmi
Chandru
Kiladi Jodi
George
Sneha Sedu
Muyyige Muyyi
Sanjay
Sirithanakke Saval
Hombisilu
Dr. Nataraj
Kittu Puttu
Kittu
Sahodarara Savaal
Kiran
Chinna Ninna Muddaduve
Nagarahole
Bangarada Gudi
Vijay
Hosilu Mettida Hennu
Bhagya Jyothi
Naga Kanye
Onde Roopa Eradu Guna
Kalla Kulla
Mahesh aka Kalla
Boothayyana Maga Ayyu
Gulla
Gandhada Gudi
Anand
Seetheyalla Savithri
Alaigal
Inspector Raju
Naagarahaavu
Ramachari