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.
Acted in 151
2010s
- 2016
Nagarahavu
King Nagaraja (created with CGI)
- 2010
School Master
Movie
2000s
- 2009
Bellary Naga
Movie
Namyajamanru
Movie
- 2007
Ee Bandhana
Harish Raj
Maathaad Maathaadu Mallige
Hoovaiah
Ekadanta
Movie
- 2006
Sirivantha
Movie
Neenello Nanalle
Movie
- 2005
Vishnu Sena
Movie
Varsha
Movie
- 2004
Jyeshta
Movie
Sahukara
Sahukara Raja Mahendra Varma
Apthamitra
Movie
Kadamba
Madhukeshawara Kadamba
- 2003
Hrudayavantha
Movie
Raja Narasimha
Movie
- 2002
Simhadriya Simha
Narasimha Gowda and Chikka
Jameendarru
Movie
Parva
Movie
- 2001
Kotigobba
Nanjunda
Diggajaru
Wodeya
- 2000
Yajamana
Shankar/Ganesha (Dual Role)
Nan Hendthi Chennagiddale
Movie
Deepavali
Movie
Soorappa
Soorappa
Okkadu Chaalu
Movie
1990s
- 1999
Premotsava
Movie
Suryavamsha
Sathyamurthy/Kanakamurthy (Dual Role)
Habba
Vishnu
Veerappa Nayaka
Movie
- 1998
Hendithghelthini
Movie
Simhada Guri
Movie
Yaare Neenu Cheluve
Movie
- 1997
Laali
Movie
Ellaranthalla Nanna Ganda
Movie
Janani Janmabhoomi
Movie
Mangala Suthra
Movie
- 1996
Jeevanadi
Movie
Baalina Jyothi
Movie
Dhani
Movie
Karnataka Suputhra
Movie
Appaji
Movie
Hello Daddy
Movie
- 1995
Himapatha
Movie
Karulina Kudi
Movie
Thumbida Mane
Movie
Bangarada Kalasha
Movie
Mojugara Sogasugara
Movie
- 1994
Zaalim
Inspector Mohan
Kiladigalu
Movie
Halunda Tavaru
Movie
Kotreshi Kanasu
Movie
Mahakshathriya
Movie
Samrat
Movie
Kunthi Puthra
Movie
Time Bomb
Movie
- 1993
Ashaant
Vishnu
Vishnu Vijaya
Movie
Manikantana Mahime
Movie
Raayaru Bandaru Maavana Manege
Vishnu
Nanendu Nimmavane
Movie
Ithu Manjukaalam
Pauli
Nishkarsha
Ajay Kumar
Sangharsha
Movie
- 1992
Harakeya Kuri
Movie
Belliyappa Bangarappa
Movie
Ravi Varma
Movie
Kauravar
Haridas I.P.S.
- 1991
Police Matthu Dada
Movie
Inspector Dhanush
Movie
Jagadeka Veera
Movie
Neenu Nakkare Haalu Sakkare
Movie
Lion Jagapathi Rao
Movie
- 1990
Mathe Hadithu Kogile
Anand
Muthina Haara
Movie
Shivashankar
Shivu / Shankar
1980s
- 1989
Hrudaya Geethe
Movie
Deva
Movie
- 1988
Daada
Daada
Krishna Rukmini
Movie
Jana Nayaka
Movie
Nammoora Raja
Movie
Suprabhatha
Vijay Kumar
Olavina Aasare
Movie
- 1987
Shubha Milana
Movie
Jeevana Jyothi
Movie
Jayasimha
Movie
Malgudi Days
Venkat / Venkat Rao · 12 episodes
Sowbhagya Lakshmi
Shyam / Chandru
- 1986
Krishna Nee Begane Baaro
Movie
Viduthalai
Amar
Karna
Movie
- 1985
Nee Thanda Kanike
Movie
Sri Raghavendrar
Sri Yogenthra Tirtha
Eetti
Inspector Prasad
Nee Bareda Kadambari
Movie
- 1984
Maduve Maadu Thamashe Nodu
Ganesha
Aaradhane
Rajesh
Huli Hejje
Movie
Khaidi
Movie
Police Papanna
Guest Appearance
Prachanda Kulla
Movie
Benki Birugali
Vishnu
Bandhana
Dr. Harish
- 1983
Simha Gharjane
Movie
Onde Guri
Movie
Gandharva Giri
Movie
- 1982
Jimmy Gallu
Movie
Sahasa Simha
Prathap
Karmika Kallanalla
Movie
Pedda Gedda
Movie
- 1981
Snehithara Saval
Movie
Maha Prachandaru
Movie
Avala Hejje
Movie
Mane Mane Kathe
Movie
- 1980
Driver Hanumanthu
Movie
Bangarada Jinke
Movie
Rahasya Rathri
Movie
Makkala Sainya
Movie
Kalinga
Prabhakar/ Ranga
1970s
- 1979
Vijay Vikram
Movie
Asadhya Aliya
Ashok
- 1978
Singaporenalli Raja Kulla
Raja
Amarnath
Guest Appearance
Vasantha Lakshmi
Chandru
Kiladi Jodi
George
Sneha Sedu
Movie
Muyyige Muyyi
Sanjay
Sirithanakke Saval
Movie
Vamsha Jyothi
Mahesh
Hombisilu
Dr. Nataraj
- 1977
Kittu Puttu
Kittu
Sahodarara Savaal
Kiran
Chinna Ninna Muddaduve
Movie
Nagarahole
Movie
- 1976
Bangarada Gudi
Vijay
Hosilu Mettida Hennu
Movie
- 1975
Bhagya Jyothi
Movie
Naga Kanye
Movie
Onde Roopa Eradu Guna
Movie
Kalla Kulla
Mahesh'Kalla'
- 1974
Boothayyana Maga Ayyu
Gulla
- 1973
Gandhada Gudi
Anand
Seetheyalla Savithri
Movie
Alaigal
Inspector Raju
- 1972
Naagarahaavu
Ramachari
- 1971
Vamsha Vriksha
credited as "Kumar"
No release date
Marudhanayagam
Wajid Khan
Wrote 1
1990s
- 1991
Lion Jagapathi Rao
Screenplay
Appearances2
2000s
- 2004
Malla
Self - Narrator (voice)
1990s
- 1990
Ganeshana Maduve
Self