Vishnuvardhan
September 18, 1950 (75 years old) 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.
Known For
Credits
- 2016 · Nagarahavu as King Nagaraja (created with CGI)
- 2010 · Aptharakshaka as Dr. Vijay
- 2007 · Ekadanta as
- 2006 · Sirivantha as
- 2005 · Vishnu Sena as
- 2004 · Jyeshta as
- 2004 · Sahukara as Sahukara Raja Mahendra Varma
- 2004 · Apthamitra as
- 2004 · Malla as Self - Narrator (voice)
- 2003 · Hrudayavantha as
- 2003 · Raja Narasimha as
- 2002 · Jameendarru as
- 2001 · Kotigobba as Nanjunda
- 2001 · Diggajaru as Wodeya
- 2000 · Yajamana as Shankar/Ganesha (Dual Role)
- 2000 · Deepavali as
- 2000 · Okkadu Chaalu as
- 1999 · Premotsava as
- 1999 · Suryavamsha as Sathyamurthy/Kanakamurthy (Dual Role)
- 1999 · Habba as Vishnu
- 1999 · Veerappa Nayaka as
- 1998 · Simhada Guri as
- 1998 · Yaare Neenu Cheluve as
- 1998 · Nishyabdha as Major Vishwanath
- 1997 · Janani Janmabhoomi as
- 1997 · Mangala Suthra as
- 1996 · Baalina Jyothi as
- 1996 · Appaji as
- 1995 · Himapatha as
- 1995 · Karulina Kudi as
- 1995 · Bangarada Kalasha as
- 1995 · Mojugara Sogasugara as
- 1994 · Zaalim as Inspector Mohan
- 1994 · Kotreshi Kanasu as
- 1994 · Mahakshathriya as
- 1994 · Samrat as
- 1994 · Kunthi Puthra as
- 1994 · Time Bomb as
- 1993 · Vishnu Vijaya as
- 1993 · Sangharsha as
- 1993 · Nishkarsha as Ajay Kumar
- 1992 · Harakeya Kuri as
- 1992 · Belliyappa Bangarappa as
- 1992 · Kauravar as Haridas I.P.S.
- 1991 · Inspector Dhanush as
- 1991 · Police Matthu Dada as
- 1991 · Jagadeka Veera as
- 1990 · Ganeshana Maduve as Self
- 1989 · Deva as
- 1988 · Daada as Daada
- 1988 · Nammoora Raja as
- 1988 · Suprabhatha as Vijay Kumar
- 1987 · Jeevana Jyothi as
- 1987 · Jayasimha as
- 1987 · Sowbhagya Lakshmi as Shyam / Chandru
- 1986 · Krishna Nee Begane Baaro as
- 1985 · Sri Raghavendrar as Sri Yogenthra Tirtha
- 1985 · Eetti as
- 1984 · Maduve Maadu Thamashe Nodu as Ganesha
- 1984 · Huli Hejje as
- 1984 · Khaidi as
- 1984 · Police Papanna as Guest Appearance
- 1984 · Prachanda Kulla as
- 1984 · Benki Birugali as Vishnu
- 1984 · Bandhana as Dr. Harish
- 1983 · Simha Gharjane as
- 1981 · Avala Hejje as
- 1980 · Makkala Sainya as
- 1980 · Kalinga as Prabhakar/ Ranga
- 1978 · Vasantha Lakshmi as Chandru
- 1978 · Kiladi Jodi as George
- 1975 · Naga Kanye as
- 1973 · Gandhada Gudi as Anand
- Future · Marudhanayagam as Wajid Khan
- 2010 · School Master as
- 2009 · Bellary Naga as
- 2009 · Namyajamanru as
- 2007 · Ee Bandhana as Harish Raj
- 2007 · Maathaad Maathaadu Mallige as Hoovaiah
- 2006 · Neenello Nanalle as
- 2005 · Varsha as
- 2004 · Kadamba as Madhukeshawara Kadamba
- 2002 · Simhadriya Simha as Narasimha Gowda and Chikka
- 2002 · Parva as
- 2000 · Nan Hendthi Chennagiddale as
- 2000 · Soorappa as Soorappa
- 1998 · Hendithghelthini as
- 1997 · Laali as
- 1997 · Ellaranthalla Nanna Ganda as
- 1996 · Jeevanadi as
- 1996 · Dhani as
- 1996 · Karnataka Suputhra as
- 1996 · Hello Daddy as
- 1995 · Thumbida Mane as
- 1994 · Kiladigalu as
- 1994 · Halunda Tavaru as
- 1993 · Ashaant as Vishnu
- 1993 · Manikantana Mahime as
- 1993 · Raayaru Bandaru Maavana Manege as Vishnu
- 1993 · Nanendu Nimmavane as
- 1993 · Ithu Manjukaalam as Pauli
- 1992 · Ravi Varma as
- 1991 · Neenu Nakkare Haalu Sakkare as
- 1991 · Lion Jagapathi Rao as
- 1990 · Mathe Hadithu Kogile as Anand
- 1990 · Muthina Haara as
- 1990 · Shivashankar as Shivu / Shankar
- 1989 · Hrudaya Geethe as
- 1988 · Krishna Rukmini as
- 1988 · Jana Nayaka as
- 1987 · Shubha Milana as
- 1986 · Viduthalai as Amar
- 1986 · Karna as
- 1985 · Nee Thanda Kanike as
- 1985 · Nee Bareda Kadambari as
- 1984 · Aaradhane as Rajesh
- 1983 · Onde Guri as
- 1982 · Jimmy Gallu as
- 1982 · Pedda Gedda as
- 1982 · Karmika Kallanalla as
- 1982 · Sahasa Simha as Prathap
- 1981 · Snehithara Saval as
- 1981 · Maha Prachandaru as
- 1981 · Mane Mane Kathe as
- 1980 · Driver Hanumanthu as
- 1980 · Bangarada Jinke as
- 1980 · Rahasya Rathri as
- 1979 · Vijay Vikram as
- 1979 · Asadhya Aliya as Ashok
- 1978 · Singaporenalli Raja Kulla as Raja
- 1978 · Amarnath as Guest Appearance
- 1978 · Sneha Sedu as
- 1978 · Muyyige Muyyi as Sanjay
- 1978 · Sirithanakke Saval as
- 1978 · Kiladi Kittu as Kittu
- 1978 · Hombisilu as Dr. Nataraj
- 1977 · Kittu Puttu as Kittu
- 1977 · Sahodarara Savaal as Kiran
- 1977 · Chinna Ninna Muddaduve as
- 1977 · Nagarahole as
- 1976 · Bangarada Gudi as Vijay
- 1976 · Hosilu Mettida Hennu as
- 1975 · Bhagya Jyothi as
- 1975 · Onde Roopa Eradu Guna as
- 1975 · Kalla Kulla as Mahesh aka Kalla
- 1974 · Boothayyana Maga Ayyu as Gulla
- 1973 · Seetheyalla Savithri as
- 1973 · Alaigal as Inspector Raju
- 1972 · Naagarahaavu as Ramachari
- 1971 · Vamsha Vriksha as credited as "Kumar"