Vishnuvardhan

Person

Vishnuvardhan

Acting September 18, 1950

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 spo…

IMDb

Known for

Popular titles

Malgudi Days

Malgudi Days

7.9 1987 TV Show
Aptharakshaka

Aptharakshaka

6.7 2010 Movie
Sneha Sedu

Sneha Sedu

1978 Movie
Zaalim

Zaalim

5.8 1994 Movie
Halunda Tavaru

Halunda Tavaru

1994 Movie
Naagarahaavu

Naagarahaavu

6.4 1972 Movie
School Master

School Master

2010 Movie
Apthamitra

Apthamitra

8.2 2004 Movie
Bellary Naga

Bellary Naga

2009 Movie
Viduthalai

Viduthalai

5.5 1986 Movie
Bandhana

Bandhana

6.3 1984 Movie
Kauravar

Kauravar

6.8 1992 Movie

Biography

A closer look

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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

Movies and shows, newest first

  1. 2016
    Nagarahavu

    Movie King Nagaraja (created with CGI)

  2. 2010
    Aptharakshaka

    Movie Dr. Vijay

  3. 2010
    School Master

    Movie

  4. 2009
    Bellary Naga

    Movie

  5. 2009
    Namyajamanru

    Movie

  6. 2007
    Ee Bandhana

    Movie Harish Raj

  7. 2007
    Maathaad Maathaadu Mallige

    Movie Hoovaiah

  8. 2007
    Ekadanta

    Movie

  9. 2006
    Sirivantha

    Movie

  10. 2006
    Neenello Nanalle

    Movie

  11. 2005
    Vishnu Sena

    Movie

  12. 2005
    Varsha

    Movie

  13. 2004
    Jyeshta

    Movie

  14. 2004
    Sahukara

    Movie Sahukara Raja Mahendra Varma

  15. 2004
    Apthamitra

    Movie

  16. 2004
    Malla

    Movie Self - Narrator (voice)

More credits
  1. 2004
    Kadamba

    Movie Madhukeshawara Kadamba

  2. 2003
    Hrudayavantha

    Movie

  3. 2003
    Raja Narasimha

    Movie

  4. 2002
    Simhadriya Simha

    Movie Narasimha Gowda and Chikka

  5. 2002
    Jameendarru

    Movie

  6. 2002
    Parva

    Movie

  7. 2001
    Kotigobba

    Movie Nanjunda

  8. 2001
    Diggajaru

    Movie Wodeya

  9. 2000
    Yajamana

    Movie Shankar/Ganesha (Dual Role)

  10. 2000
    Nan Hendthi Chennagiddale

    Movie

  11. 2000
    Deepavali

    Movie

  12. 2000
    Soorappa

    Movie Soorappa

  13. 2000
    Okkadu Chaalu

    Movie

  14. 1999
    Premotsava

    Movie

  15. 1999
    Suryavamsha

    Movie Sathyamurthy/Kanakamurthy (Dual Role)

  16. 1999
    Habba

    Movie Vishnu

  17. 1999
    Veerappa Nayaka

    Movie

  18. 1998
    Hendithghelthini

    Movie

  19. 1998
    Simhada Guri

    Movie

  20. 1998
    Yaare Neenu Cheluve

    Movie

  21. 1998
    Nishyabdha

    Movie Major Vishwanath

  22. 1997
    Laali

    Movie

  23. 1997
    Ellaranthalla Nanna Ganda

    Movie

  24. 1997
    Janani Janmabhoomi

    Movie