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.