Vishnuvardhan
Acting
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.
Movies(150)
Nagarahavu
King Nagaraja (created with CGI)
2016
Aptharakshaka
Dr. Vijay
2010
School Master
2010
Bellary Naga
2009
Namyajamanru
2009
Ee Bandhana
Harish Raj
2007
Maathaad Maathaadu Mallige
Hoovaiah
2007
Ekadanta
2007
Sirivantha
2006
Neenello Nanalle
2006
Vishnu Sena
2005
Varsha
2005
Jyeshta
2004
Sahukara
Sahukara Raja Mahendra Varma
2004
Apthamitra
2004
Malla
Self - Narrator (voice)
2004
Kadamba
Madhukeshawara Kadamba
2004
Hrudayavantha
2003
Raja Narasimha
2003
Simhadriya Simha
Narasimha Gowda and Chikka
2002
Jameendarru
2002
Parva
2002
Kotigobba
Nanjunda
2001
Diggajaru
Wodeya
2001
Yajamana
Shankar/Ganesha (Dual Role)
2000
Nan Hendthi Chennagiddale
2000
Deepavali
2000
Soorappa
Soorappa
2000
Okkadu Chaalu
2000
Premotsava
1999
Suryavamsha
Sathyamurthy/Kanakamurthy (Dual Role)
1999
Habba
Vishnu
1999
Veerappa Nayaka
1999
Hendithghelthini
1998
Simhada Guri
1998
Yaare Neenu Cheluve
1998
Nishyabdha
Major Vishwanath
1998
Laali
1997
Ellaranthalla Nanna Ganda
1997
Janani Janmabhoomi
1997
Mangala Suthra
1997
Jeevanadi
1996
Baalina Jyothi
1996
Dhani
1996
Karnataka Suputhra
1996
Appaji
1996
Hello Daddy
1996
Himapatha
1995
Karulina Kudi
1995
Thumbida Mane
1995
Bangarada Kalasha
1995
Mojugara Sogasugara
1995
Zaalim
Inspector Mohan
1994
Kiladigalu
1994
Halunda Tavaru
1994
Kotreshi Kanasu
1994
Mahakshathriya
1994
Samrat
1994
Kunthi Puthra
1994
Time Bomb
1994
Ashaant
Vishnu
1993
Vishnu Vijaya
1993
Manikantana Mahime
1993
Raayaru Bandaru Maavana Manege
Vishnu
1993
Nanendu Nimmavane
1993
Ithu Manjukaalam
Pauli
1993
Nishkarsha
Ajay Kumar
1993
Sangharsha
1993
Harakeya Kuri
1992
Belliyappa Bangarappa
1992
Ravi Varma
1992
Kauravar
Haridas I.P.S.
1992
Police Matthu Dada
1991
Inspector Dhanush
1991
Jagadeka Veera
1991
Neenu Nakkare Haalu Sakkare
1991
Lion Jagapathi Rao
1991
Mathe Hadithu Kogile
Anand
1990
Muthina Haara
1990
Shivashankar
Shivu / Shankar
1990
Ganeshana Maduve
Self
1990
Hrudaya Geethe
1989
Deva
1989
Daada
Daada
1988
Krishna Rukmini
1988
Jana Nayaka
1988
Nammoora Raja
1988
Suprabhatha
Vijay Kumar
1988
Shubha Milana
1987
Jeevana Jyothi
1987
Jayasimha
1987
Sowbhagya Lakshmi
Shyam / Chandru
1987
Krishna Nee Begane Baaro
1986
Viduthalai
Amar
1986
Karna
1986
Nee Thanda Kanike
1985
Sri Raghavendrar
Sri Yogenthra Tirtha
1985
Eetti
1985
Nee Bareda Kadambari
1985
Maduve Maadu Thamashe Nodu
Ganesha
1984
Aaradhane
Rajesh
1984
Huli Hejje
1984
Khaidi
1984
Police Papanna
Guest Appearance
1984
Prachanda Kulla
1984
Benki Birugali
Vishnu
1984
Bandhana
Dr. Harish
1984
Simha Gharjane
1983
Onde Guri
1983
Jimmy Gallu
1982
Sahasa Simha
Prathap
1982
Karmika Kallanalla
1982
Pedda Gedda
1982
Snehithara Saval
1981
Maha Prachandaru
1981
Avala Hejje
1981
Mane Mane Kathe
1981
Driver Hanumanthu
1980
Bangarada Jinke
1980
Rahasya Rathri
1980
Makkala Sainya
1980
Kalinga
Prabhakar/ Ranga
1980
Vijay Vikram
1979
Asadhya Aliya
Ashok
1979
Singaporenalli Raja Kulla
Raja
1978
Amarnath
Guest Appearance
1978
Vasantha Lakshmi
Chandru
1978
Kiladi Jodi
George
1978
Sneha Sedu
1978
Muyyige Muyyi
Sanjay
1978
Sirithanakke Saval
1978
Kiladi Kittu
Kittu
1978
Hombisilu
Dr. Nataraj
1978
Kittu Puttu
Kittu
1977
Sahodarara Savaal
Kiran
1977
Chinna Ninna Muddaduve
1977
Nagarahole
1977
Bangarada Gudi
Vijay
1976
Hosilu Mettida Hennu
1976
Bhagya Jyothi
1975
Naga Kanye
1975
Onde Roopa Eradu Guna
1975
Kalla Kulla
Mahesh aka Kalla
1975
Boothayyana Maga Ayyu
Gulla
1974
Gandhada Gudi
Anand
1973
Seetheyalla Savithri
1973
Alaigal
Inspector Raju
1973
Naagarahaavu
Ramachari
1972
Vamsha Vriksha
credited as "Kumar"
1971
Marudhanayagam
Wajid Khan