
Vishnuvardhan
Known for Acting · 150 credits
- Born
- 1950-09-18
- Died
- 2009-12-30
- Place of birth
- Mysore, Karnataka, India
- Also known as
- Sampath Kumar · Vishnuvardhan
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.
Known For
Movies (150)

Marudhanayagam
as Wajid Khan

Sri Raghavendrar
1985
as Sri Yogenthra Tirtha

Okkadu Chaalu
2000

Kotigobba
2001
as Nanjunda

Kauravar
1992
as Haridas I.P.S.

Yaare Neenu Cheluve
1998

Nammoora Raja
1988

Neenu Nakkare Haalu Sakkare
1991

Kalinga
1980
as Prabhakar/ Ranga

Naagarahaavu
1972
as Ramachari

Muyyige Muyyi
1978
as Sanjay

Jyeshta
2004

Habba
1999
as Vishnu

Makkala Sainya
1980

Boothayyana Maga Ayyu
1974
as Gulla

Jeevana Jyothi
1987

Viduthalai
1986
as Amar

Mathe Hadithu Kogile
1990
as Anand

Suprabhatha
1988
as Vijay Kumar

Hombisilu
1978
as Dr. Nataraj

Nishyabdha
1998
as Major Vishwanath

Zaalim
1994
as Inspector Mohan

Yajamana
2000
as Shankar/Ganesha (Dual Role)

Apthamitra
2004

Aptharakshaka
2010
as Dr. Vijay

Ithu Manjukaalam
1993
as Pauli

Vasantha Lakshmi
1978
as Chandru

Suryavamsha
1999
as Sathyamurthy/Kanakamurthy (Dual Role)

Harakeya Kuri
1992

Benki Birugali
1984
as Vishnu

Nishkarsha
1993
as Ajay Kumar

Deva
1989

Parva
2002

Bandhana
1984
as Dr. Harish

Onde Guri
1983

Ganeshana Maduve
1990
as Self

Vijay Vikram
1979

Sahodarara Savaal
1977
as Kiran

Maathaad Maathaadu Mallige
2007
as Hoovaiah

Appaji
1996

Vishnu Sena
2005
Vamsha Vriksha
1971
as credited as "Kumar"

Bangarada Jinke
1980

Kadamba
2004
as Madhukeshawara Kadamba

Neenello Nanalle
2006

Varsha
2005

Premotsava
1999

Jana Nayaka
1988

Baalina Jyothi
1996

Kittu Puttu
1977
as Kittu

Namyajamanru
2009

Alaigal
1973
as Inspector Raju

Karna
1986

Police Matthu Dada
1991

Jameendarru
2002

Ashaant
1993
as Vishnu

Nagarahole
1977

Deepavali
2000

Ee Bandhana
2007
as Harish Raj

Janani Janmabhoomi
1997

Laali
1997

Eetti
1985

Hrudaya Geethe
1989

Raja Narasimha
2003

Belliyappa Bangarappa
1992

Gandhada Gudi
1973
as Anand

Hendithghelthini
1998

Diggajaru
2001
as Wodeya

Bangarada Gudi
1976
as Vijay

Himapatha
1995

Jayasimha
1987

Muthina Haara
1990

Shivashankar
1990
as Shivu / Shankar

Driver Hanumanthu
1980

Hello Daddy
1996

Sirivantha
2006

Halunda Tavaru
1994

Singaporenalli Raja Kulla
1978
as Raja

Nagarahavu
2016
as King Nagaraja (created with CGI)

Nan Hendthi Chennagiddale
2000

Maduve Maadu Thamashe Nodu
1984
as Ganesha

Jeevanadi
1996

Karmika Kallanalla
1982

Lion Jagapathi Rao
1991

Nee Bareda Kadambari
1985

Manikantana Mahime
1993

Sowbhagya Lakshmi
1987
as Shyam / Chandru

Mane Mane Kathe
1981

Dhani
1996

Raayaru Bandaru Maavana Manege
1993
as Vishnu

Kiladi Jodi
1978
as George

Karnataka Suputhra
1996

Soorappa
2000
as Soorappa

Krishna Nee Begane Baaro
1986

Sangharsha
1993

Samrat
1994

Sahukara
2004
as Sahukara Raja Mahendra Varma

Seetheyalla Savithri
1973

Onde Roopa Eradu Guna
1975

Jimmy Gallu
1982

Ekadanta
2007

Police Papanna
1984
as Guest Appearance

Daada
1988
as Daada

Mangala Suthra
1997

Kotreshi Kanasu
1994

Khaidi
1984

Krishna Rukmini
1988

Snehithara Saval
1981

Rahasya Rathri
1980

School Master
2010

Hrudayavantha
2003

Asadhya Aliya
1979
as Ashok

Sneha Sedu
1978

Kalla Kulla
1975
as Mahesh aka Kalla

Karulina Kudi
1995

Sahasa Simha
1982
as Prathap

Maha Prachandaru
1981
Kiladi Kittu
1978
as Kittu

Chinna Ninna Muddaduve
1977

Vishnu Vijaya
1993
About 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 Kannad… With 150 credits spanning from 1971 to 2016, Vishnuvardhan has appeared in 150 films and 0 TV shows.
Fans searching for Vishnuvardhan movies, Vishnuvardhan filmography, or the latest projects starring Vishnuvardhan can stream many of these titles on Bowood.TV, free and in HD, with no subscription required.
Most Popular Vishnuvardhan Movies
- Marudhanayagam — as Wajid Khan
- Sri Raghavendrar (1985) — as Sri Yogenthra Tirtha
- Okkadu Chaalu (2000)
- Kotigobba (2001) — as Nanjunda
- Kauravar (1992) — as Haridas I.P.S.
Where to Watch Vishnuvardhan Films
Most Vishnuvardhan movies and series are available to stream on Bowood.TV in full HD, completely free and without signup. Browse the complete filmography above to jump directly to any title. For more films and the latest web series featuring Vishnuvardhan, check our movies catalogue and browse page.