Vishnuvardhan
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.
Fotos
Filmes (159)

Nagarahavu
2016 · King Nagaraja (created with CGI)

Aptharakshaka
2010 · Dr. Vijay

School Master
2010

Bellary Naga
2009

Namyajamanru
2009

Ee Bandhana
2007 · Harish Raj

Maathaad Maathaadu Mallige
2007 · Hoovaiah

Ekadanta
2007

Sirivantha
2006

Neenello Nanalle
2006

Vishnu Sena
2005

Varsha
2005

Jyeshta
2004

Sahukara
2004 · Sahukara Raja Mahendra Varma

Apthamitra
2004

Malla
2004 · Self - Narrator (voice)

Kadamba
2004 · Madhukeshawara Kadamba

Hrudayavantha
2003

Raja Narasimha
2003

Simhadriya Simha
2002 · Narasimha Gowda and Chikka

Jameendarru
2002

Parva
2002

Kotigobba
2001 · Nanjunda

Diggajaru
2001 · Wodeya

Yajamana
2000 · Shankar/Ganesha (Dual Role)

Nan Hendthi Chennagiddale
2000

Deepavali
2000

Soorappa
2000 · Soorappa

Okkadu Chaalu
2000

Premotsava
1999

Suryavamsha
1999 · Sathyamurthy/Kanakamurthy (Dual Role)

Habba
1999 · Vishnu

Veerappa Nayaka
1999

Hendithghelthini
1998

Simhada Guri
1998

Yaare Neenu Cheluve
1998

Nishyabdha
1998 · Major Vishwanath

Laali
1997

Ellaranthalla Nanna Ganda
1997

Janani Janmabhoomi
1997

Mangala Suthra
1997

Jeevanadi
1996

Baalina Jyothi
1996

Dhani
1996

Karnataka Suputhra
1996

Appaji
1996

Hello Daddy
1996

Himapatha
1995

Karulina Kudi
1995

Thumbida Mane
1995

Bangarada Kalasha
1995

Mojugara Sogasugara
1995

Zaalim
1994 · Inspector Mohan

Kiladigalu
1994

Halunda Tavaru
1994

Kotreshi Kanasu
1994

Mahakshathriya
1994

Samrat
1994

Kunthi Puthra
1994

Time Bomb
1994

Ashaant
1993 · Vishnu

Vishnu Vijaya
1993

Manikantana Mahime
1993

Raayaru Bandaru Maavana Manege
1993 · Vishnu

Nanendu Nimmavane
1993

Ithu Manjukaalam
1993 · Pauli

Nishkarsha
1993 · Ajay Kumar

Sangharsha
1993

Harakeya Kuri
1992

Belliyappa Bangarappa
1992

Ravi Varma
1992

Kauravar
1992 · Haridas I.P.S.

Police Matthu Dada
1991

Inspector Dhanush
1991

Jagadeka Veera
1991

Neenu Nakkare Haalu Sakkare
1991

Lion Jagapathi Rao
1991 · Screenplay

Mathe Hadithu Kogile
1990 · Anand

Muthina Haara
1990

Shivashankar
1990 · Shivu / Shankar

Ganeshana Maduve
1990 · Self

Hrudaya Geethe
1989

Deva
1989

Daada
1988 · Daada

Krishna Rukmini
1988

Jana Nayaka
1988

Nammoora Raja
1988

Suprabhatha
1988 · Vijay Kumar

Olavina Aasare
1988

Shubha Milana
1987

Jeevana Jyothi
1987

Jayasimha
1987

Sowbhagya Lakshmi
1987 · Shyam / Chandru

Krishna Nee Begane Baaro
1986

Viduthalai
1986 · Amar

Karna
1986
Sathya Jyothi
1986 · Ravi Varma

Nee Thanda Kanike
1985

Sri Raghavendrar
1985 · Sri Yogenthra Tirtha

Eetti
1985 · Inspector Prasad

Nee Bareda Kadambari
1985
Veeradhi Veera
1985

Maduve Maadu Thamashe Nodu
1984 · Ganesha

Aaradhane
1984 · Rajesh

Huli Hejje
1984

Khaidi
1984

Police Papanna
1984 · Guest Appearance

Prachanda Kulla
1984

Benki Birugali
1984 · Vishnu

Bandhana
1984 · Dr. Harish

Simha Gharjane
1983
Mutthaide Bhagya
1983

Onde Guri
1983

Gandharva Giri
1983

Jimmy Gallu
1982

Sahasa Simha
1982 · Prathap

Karmika Kallanalla
1982

Pedda Gedda
1982

Snehithara Saval
1981

Maha Prachandaru
1981

Avala Hejje
1981

Mane Mane Kathe
1981

Driver Hanumanthu
1980

Bangarada Jinke
1980

Rahasya Rathri
1980

Makkala Sainya
1980

Kalinga
1980 · Prabhakar/ Ranga
Rama Parushurama
1980
Naniruvude Ninagagi
1979 · Vijay

Vijay Vikram
1979

Asadhya Aliya
1979 · Ashok

Singaporenalli Raja Kulla
1978 · Raja

Amarnath
1978 · Guest Appearance

Vasantha Lakshmi
1978 · Chandru

Kiladi Jodi
1978 · George

Sneha Sedu
1978

Muyyige Muyyi
1978 · Sanjay

Sirithanakke Saval
1978
Kiladi Kittu
1978 · Kittu

Vamsha Jyothi
1978 · Mahesh

Hombisilu
1978 · Dr. Nataraj

Kittu Puttu
1977 · Kittu
Galaate Samsaara
1977 · Vasudev Rao

Sahodarara Savaal
1977 · Kiran

Chinna Ninna Muddaduve
1977

Nagarahole
1977

Bangarada Gudi
1976 · Vijay

Hosilu Mettida Hennu
1976

Bhagya Jyothi
1975

Naga Kanye
1975

Onde Roopa Eradu Guna
1975

Kalla Kulla
1975 · Mahesh'Kalla'

Boothayyana Maga Ayyu
1974 · Gulla

Gandhada Gudi
1973 · Anand

Seetheyalla Savithri
1973

Alaigal
1973 · Inspector Raju

Naagarahaavu
1972 · Ramachari

Vamsha Vriksha
1971 · credited as "Kumar"

Marudhanayagam
· Wajid Khan

