Vishnuvardhan
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.
Movies 160
Viduthalai
as Amar
1986
Apthamitra
2004
Ithu Manjukaalam
as Pauli
1993
Zaalim
as Inspector Mohan
1994
Marudhanayagam
as Wajid Khan
Aptharakshaka
as Dr. Vijay
2010
Kittu Puttu
as Kittu
1977
Asadhya Aliya
as Ashok
1979
Muthina Haara
1990
Neenu Nakkare Haalu Sakkare
1991
Nishyabdha
as Major Vishwanath
1998
Ashaant
as Vishnu
1993
Thumbida Mane
1995
Vijay Vikram
1979
Deva
1989
Kiladi Jodi
as George
1978
Karna
1986
Kauravar
as Haridas I.P.S.
1992
School Master
2010
Kiladi Kittu
as Kittu
1978
Maathaad Maathaadu Mallige
as Hoovaiah
2007
Muyyige Muyyi
as Sanjay
1978
Aaradhane
as Rajesh
1984
Mathe Hadithu Kogile
as Anand
1990
Galaate Samsaara
as Vasudev Rao
1977
Singaporenalli Raja Kulla
as Raja
1978
Bangarada Jinke
1980
Kiladigalu
1994
Shivashankar
as Shivu / Shankar
1990
Suryavamsha
as Sathyamurthy/Kanakamurthy (Dual Role)
1999
Varsha
2005
Eetti
as Inspector Prasad
1985
Ee Bandhana
as Harish Raj
2007
Suprabhatha
as Vijay Kumar
1988
Driver Hanumanthu
1980
Raja Narasimha
2003
Kalinga
as Prabhakar/ Ranga
1980
Halunda Tavaru
1994
Nagarahavu
as King Nagaraja (created with CGI)
2016
Maha Prachandaru
1981
Rahasya Rathri
1980
Dhani
1996
Yaare Neenu Cheluve
1998
Sahukara
as Sahukara Raja Mahendra Varma
2004
Hello Daddy
1996
Malla
as Self - Narrator (voice)
2004
Ganeshana Maduve
as Self
1990
Premotsava
1999
Neenello Nanalle
2006
Kadamba
as Madhukeshawara Kadamba
2004
Ravi Varma
1992
Yajamana
as Shankar/Ganesha (Dual Role)
2000
Sri Raghavendrar
as Sri Yogenthra Tirtha
1985
Jana Nayaka
1988
Vamsha Vriksha
as credited as "Kumar"
1971
Boothayyana Maga Ayyu
as Gulla
1974
Raayaru Bandaru Maavana Manege
as Vishnu
1993
Snehithara Saval
1981
Hrudaya Geethe
1989
Vishnu Sena
2005
Naagarahaavu
as Ramachari
1972
Lion Jagapathi Rao
1991
Jimmy Gallu
1982
Bangarada Kalasha
1995
Parva
2002
Nagarahole
1977
Krishna Nee Begane Baaro
1986
Jyeshta
2004
Sahodarara Savaal
as Kiran
1977
Onde Guri
1983
Shubha Milana
1987
Daada
as Daada
1988
Kalla Kulla
as Mahesh'Kalla'
1975
Ekadanta
2007
Okkadu Chaalu
2000
Vishnu Vijaya
1993
Jayasimha
1987
Bellary Naga
2009
Onde Roopa Eradu Guna
1975
Mojugara Sogasugara
1995
Naniruvude Ninagagi
as Vijay
1979
Bandhana
as Dr. Harish
1984
Ellaranthalla Nanna Ganda
1997
Hombisilu
as Dr. Nataraj
1978
Mane Mane Kathe
1981
Sahasa Simha
as Prathap
1982
Seetheyalla Savithri
1973
Bangarada Gudi
as Vijay
1976
Laali
1997
Karulina Kudi
1995
Kotigobba
as Nanjunda
2001
Pedda Gedda
1982
Nishkarsha
as Ajay Kumar
1993
Sneha Sedu
1978
Jameendarru
2002
Makkala Sainya
1980
Simha Gharjane
1983
Samrat
1994
Sowbhagya Lakshmi
as Shyam / Chandru
1987
Gandharva Giri
1983
Gandhada Gudi
as Anand
1973
Veeradhi Veera
1985
Sathya Jyothi
as Ravi Varma
1986
Baalina Jyothi
1996
Jeevanadi
1996
Simhada Guri
1998
Amarnath
as Guest Appearance
1978
Karmika Kallanalla
1982
Belliyappa Bangarappa
1992
Rama Parushurama
1980
Hosilu Mettida Hennu
1976
Huli Hejje
1984
Vasantha Lakshmi
as Chandru
1978
Sangharsha
1993
Veerappa Nayaka
1999
Prachanda Kulla
1984
Time Bomb
1994
Mahakshathriya
1994
Kunthi Puthra
1994
Krishna Rukmini
1988
Himapatha
1995
Mutthaide Bhagya
1983
Jagadeka Veera
1991
Nee Bareda Kadambari
1985
Nee Thanda Kanike
1985
Sirithanakke Saval
1978
Naga Kanye
1975
Hendithghelthini
1998
Kotreshi Kanasu
1994
Karnataka Suputhra
1996
Khaidi
1984
Soorappa
as Soorappa
2000
Nammoora Raja
1988
Alaigal
as Inspector Raju
1973
Chinna Ninna Muddaduve
1977
Simhadriya Simha
as Narasimha Gowda and Chikka
2002
Namyajamanru
2009
Maduve Maadu Thamashe Nodu
as Ganesha
1984
Jeevana Jyothi
1987
Inspector Dhanush
1991
Bhagya Jyothi
1975
Benki Birugali
as Vishnu
1984
Diggajaru
as Wodeya
2001
Avala Hejje
1981
Nan Hendthi Chennagiddale
2000
Sirivantha
2006
Vamsha Jyothi
as Mahesh
1978
Nanendu Nimmavane
1993
Hrudayavantha
2003
Habba
as Vishnu
1999
Harakeya Kuri
1992
Appaji
1996
Police Matthu Dada
1991
Deepavali
2000
Mangala Suthra
1997
Manikantana Mahime
1993
Janani Janmabhoomi
1997
Police Papanna
as Guest Appearance
1984
Olavina Aasare
1988
