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