Acting
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.
Filmography
Nagarahavu
Film · 2016
Aptharakshaka
Film · 2010
School Master
Film · 2010
Bellary Naga
Film · 2009
Namyajamanru
Film · 2009
Maathaad Maathaadu Mallige
Film · 2007
Ekadanta
Film · 2007
Ee Bandhana
Film · 2007
Neenello Nanalle
Film · 2006
Sirivantha
Film · 2006
Vishnu Sena
Film · 2005
Varsha
Film · 2005
Sahukara
Film · 2004
Malla
Film · 2004
Apthamitra
Film · 2004
Kadamba
Film · 2004
Jyeshta
Film · 2004
Raja Narasimha
Film · 2003
Hrudayavantha
Film · 2003
Simhadriya Simha
Film · 2002
Parva
Film · 2002
Jameendarru
Film · 2002
Diggajaru
Film · 2001
Kotigobba
Film · 2001
Okkadu Chaalu
Film · 2000
Nan Hendthi Chennagiddale
Film · 2000
Yajamana
Film · 2000
Soorappa
Film · 2000
Deepavali
Film · 2000
Habba
Film · 1999
Suryavamsha
Film · 1999
Veerappa Nayaka
Film · 1999
Premotsava
Film · 1999
Yaare Neenu Cheluve
Film · 1998
Nishyabdha
Film · 1998
Simhada Guri
Film · 1998
Hendithghelthini
Film · 1998
Laali
Film · 1997
Ellaranthalla Nanna Ganda
Film · 1997
Janani Janmabhoomi
Film · 1997
Mangala Suthra
Film · 1997
Karnataka Suputhra
Film · 1996
Appaji
Film · 1996
Dhani
Film · 1996
Baalina Jyothi
Film · 1996
Jeevanadi
Film · 1996
Hello Daddy
Film · 1996
Mojugara Sogasugara
Film · 1995
Thumbida Mane
Film · 1995
Himapatha
Film · 1995
Karulina Kudi
Film · 1995
Bangarada Kalasha
Film · 1995
Halunda Tavaru
Film · 1994
Kotreshi Kanasu
Film · 1994
Zaalim
Film · 1994
Kiladigalu
Film · 1994
Kunthi Puthra
Film · 1994
Samrat
Film · 1994
Mahakshathriya
Film · 1994
Time Bomb
Film · 1994
Ithu Manjukaalam
Film · 1993
Manikantana Mahime
Film · 1993
Nanendu Nimmavane
Film · 1993
Ashaant
Film · 1993
Nishkarsha
Film · 1993
Raayaru Bandaru Maavana Manege
Film · 1993
Vishnu Vijaya
Film · 1993
Sangharsha
Film · 1993
Kauravar
Film · 1992
Belliyappa Bangarappa
Film · 1992
Harakeya Kuri
Film · 1992
Ravi Varma
Film · 1992
Jagadeka Veera
Film · 1991
Neenu Nakkare Haalu Sakkare
Film · 1991
Lion Jagapathi Rao
Film · 1991
Police Matthu Dada
Film · 1991
Inspector Dhanush
Film · 1991
Muthina Haara
Film · 1990
Ganeshana Maduve
Film · 1990
Shivashankar
Film · 1990
Mathe Hadithu Kogile
Film · 1990
Deva
Film · 1989
Hrudaya Geethe
Film · 1989
Suprabhatha
Film · 1988
Daada
Film · 1988
Krishna Rukmini
Film · 1988
Nammoora Raja
Film · 1988
Jana Nayaka
Film · 1988
Jayasimha
Film · 1987
Jeevana Jyothi
Film · 1987
Sowbhagya Lakshmi
Film · 1987
Shubha Milana
Film · 1987
Malgudi Days
Series · 1987
Krishna Nee Begane Baaro
Film · 1986
Viduthalai
Film · 1986
Karna
Film · 1986
Sathya Jyothi
Film · 1986
Eetti
Film · 1985
Sri Raghavendrar
Film · 1985
Nee Bareda Kadambari
Film · 1985
Nee Thanda Kanike
Film · 1985
Veeradhi Veera
Film · 1985
Benki Birugali
Film · 1984
Bandhana
Film · 1984
Huli Hejje
Film · 1984
Khaidi
Film · 1984
Maduve Maadu Thamashe Nodu
Film · 1984
Prachanda Kulla
Film · 1984
Police Papanna
Film · 1984
Aaradhane
Film · 1984
Onde Guri
Film · 1983
Simha Gharjane
Film · 1983
Gandharva Giri
Film · 1983
Mutthaide Bhagya
Film · 1983
Sahasa Simha
Film · 1982
Karmika Kallanalla
Film · 1982
Jimmy Gallu
Film · 1982
Pedda Gedda
Film · 1982
Mane Mane Kathe
Film · 1981
Snehithara Saval
Film · 1981
Avala Hejje
Film · 1981
Maha Prachandaru
Film · 1981
Kalinga
Film · 1980
Makkala Sainya
Film · 1980
Bangarada Jinke
Film · 1980
Rahasya Rathri
Film · 1980
Driver Hanumanthu
Film · 1980
Rama Parushurama
Film · 1980
Asadhya Aliya
Film · 1979
Vijay Vikram
Film · 1979
Naniruvude Ninagagi
Film · 1979
Hombisilu
Film · 1978
Kiladi Kittu
Film · 1978
Muyyige Muyyi
Film · 1978
Vasantha Lakshmi
Film · 1978
Amarnath
Film · 1978
Singaporenalli Raja Kulla
Film · 1978
Kiladi Jodi
Film · 1978
Sneha Sedu
Film · 1978
Sirithanakke Saval
Film · 1978
Vamsha Jyothi
Film · 1978
Sahodarara Savaal
Film · 1977
Kittu Puttu
Film · 1977
Nagarahole
Film · 1977
Chinna Ninna Muddaduve
Film · 1977
Galaate Samsaara
Film · 1977
Bangarada Gudi
Film · 1976
Hosilu Mettida Hennu
Film · 1976
Kalla Kulla
Film · 1975
Bhagya Jyothi
Film · 1975
Naga Kanye
Film · 1975
Onde Roopa Eradu Guna
Film · 1975
Boothayyana Maga Ayyu
Film · 1974
Alaigal
Film · 1973
Gandhada Gudi
Film · 1973
Seetheyalla Savithri
Film · 1973
Naagarahaavu
Film · 1972
Vamsha Vriksha
Film · 1971
Marudhanayagam
Film