Vishnuvardhan
Acting
1950-09-18 · 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
Nagarahavu
2016 · Movie
Aptharakshaka
2010 · Movie
School Master
2010 · Movie
Bellary Naga
2009 · Movie
Namyajamanru
2009 · Movie
Ee Bandhana
2007 · Movie
Maathaad Maathaadu Mallige
2007 · Movie
Ekadanta
2007 · Movie
Sirivantha
2006 · Movie
Neenello Nanalle
2006 · Movie
Vishnu Sena
2005 · Movie
Varsha
2005 · Movie
Jyeshta
2004 · Movie
Sahukara
2004 · Movie
Apthamitra
2004 · Movie
Malla
2004 · Movie
Kadamba
2004 · Movie
Hrudayavantha
2003 · Movie
Raja Narasimha
2003 · Movie
Simhadriya Simha
2002 · Movie
Jameendarru
2002 · Movie
Parva
2002 · Movie
Kotigobba
2001 · Movie
Diggajaru
2001 · Movie
Yajamana
2000 · Movie
Nan Hendthi Chennagiddale
2000 · Movie
Deepavali
2000 · Movie
Soorappa
2000 · Movie
Okkadu Chaalu
2000 · Movie
Premotsava
1999 · Movie
Suryavamsha
1999 · Movie
Habba
1999 · Movie
Veerappa Nayaka
1999 · Movie
Hendithghelthini
1998 · Movie
Simhada Guri
1998 · Movie
Yaare Neenu Cheluve
1998 · Movie
Nishyabdha
1998 · Movie
Laali
1997 · Movie
Ellaranthalla Nanna Ganda
1997 · Movie
Janani Janmabhoomi
1997 · Movie
Mangala Suthra
1997 · Movie
Jeevanadi
1996 · Movie
Baalina Jyothi
1996 · Movie
Dhani
1996 · Movie
Appaji
1996 · Movie
Karnataka Suputhra
1996 · Movie
Hello Daddy
1996 · Movie
Himapatha
1995 · Movie
Karulina Kudi
1995 · Movie
Thumbida Mane
1995 · Movie
Bangarada Kalasha
1995 · Movie
Mojugara Sogasugara
1995 · Movie
Zaalim
1994 · Movie
Kiladigalu
1994 · Movie
Halunda Tavaru
1994 · Movie
Kotreshi Kanasu
1994 · Movie
Mahakshathriya
1994 · Movie
Samrat
1994 · Movie
Kunthi Puthra
1994 · Movie
Time Bomb
1994 · Movie
Ashaant
1993 · Movie
Vishnu Vijaya
1993 · Movie
Manikantana Mahime
1993 · Movie
Raayaru Bandaru Maavana Manege
1993 · Movie
Nanendu Nimmavane
1993 · Movie
Ithu Manjukaalam
1993 · Movie
Nishkarsha
1993 · Movie
Sangharsha
1993 · Movie
Harakeya Kuri
1992 · Movie
Belliyappa Bangarappa
1992 · Movie
Ravi Varma
1992 · Movie
Kauravar
1992 · Movie
Inspector Dhanush
1991 · Movie
Police Matthu Dada
1991 · Movie
Jagadeka Veera
1991 · Movie
Neenu Nakkare Haalu Sakkare
1991 · Movie
Lion Jagapathi Rao
1991 · Movie
Mathe Hadithu Kogile
1990 · Movie
Muthina Haara
1990 · Movie
Shivashankar
1990 · Movie
Ganeshana Maduve
1990 · Movie
Hrudaya Geethe
1989 · Movie
Deva
1989 · Movie
Daada
1988 · Movie
Krishna Rukmini
1988 · Movie
Jana Nayaka
1988 · Movie
Nammoora Raja
1988 · Movie
Suprabhatha
1988 · Movie
Shubha Milana
1987 · Movie
Jeevana Jyothi
1987 · Movie
Jayasimha
1987 · Movie
Sowbhagya Lakshmi
1987 · Movie
Krishna Nee Begane Baaro
1986 · Movie
Viduthalai
1986 · Movie
Karna
1986 · Movie
Sathya Jyothi
1986 · Movie
Nee Thanda Kanike
1985 · Movie
Sri Raghavendrar
1985 · Movie
Eetti
1985 · Movie
Nee Bareda Kadambari
1985 · Movie
Veeradhi Veera
1985 · Movie
Maduve Maadu Thamashe Nodu
1984 · Movie
Aaradhane
1984 · Movie
Huli Hejje
1984 · Movie
Khaidi
1984 · Movie
Police Papanna
1984 · Movie
Prachanda Kulla
1984 · Movie
Bandhana
1984 · Movie
Benki Birugali
1984 · Movie
Simha Gharjane
1983 · Movie
Onde Guri
1983 · Movie
Gandharva Giri
1983 · Movie
Jimmy Gallu
1982 · Movie
Pedda Gedda
1982 · Movie
Karmika Kallanalla
1982 · Movie
Sahasa Simha
1982 · Movie
Snehithara Saval
1981 · Movie
Maha Prachandaru
1981 · Movie
Avala Hejje
1981 · Movie
Mane Mane Kathe
1981 · Movie
Driver Hanumanthu
1980 · Movie
Bangarada Jinke
1980 · Movie
Rahasya Rathri
1980 · Movie
Makkala Sainya
1980 · Movie
Kalinga
1980 · Movie
Vijay Vikram
1979 · Movie
Asadhya Aliya
1979 · Movie
Singaporenalli Raja Kulla
1978 · Movie
Amarnath
1978 · Movie
Vasantha Lakshmi
1978 · Movie
Kiladi Jodi
1978 · Movie
Sneha Sedu
1978 · Movie
Muyyige Muyyi
1978 · Movie
Sirithanakke Saval
1978 · Movie
Kiladi Kittu
1978 · Movie
Hombisilu
1978 · Movie
Kittu Puttu
1977 · Movie
Galaate Samsaara
1977 · Movie
Sahodarara Savaal
1977 · Movie
Chinna Ninna Muddaduve
1977 · Movie
Nagarahole
1977 · Movie
Bangarada Gudi
1976 · Movie
Hosilu Mettida Hennu
1976 · Movie
Bhagya Jyothi
1975 · Movie
Naga Kanye
1975 · Movie
Onde Roopa Eradu Guna
1975 · Movie
Kalla Kulla
1975 · Movie
Boothayyana Maga Ayyu
1974 · Movie
Gandhada Gudi
1973 · Movie
Seetheyalla Savithri
1973 · Movie
Alaigal
1973 · Movie
Naagarahaavu
1972 · Movie
Vamsha Vriksha
1971 · Movie
Marudhanayagam
Movie