Vishnuvardhan
Known for Acting · 152 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 (152)
Galaate Samsaara
1977
as Vasudev Rao
Viduthalai
1986
as Amar
Driver Hanumanthu
1980
Aaradhane
1984
as Rajesh
Sirivantha
2006
Sneha Sedu
1978
Jimmy Gallu
1982
Suprabhatha
1988
as Vijay Kumar
Ganeshana Maduve
1990
as Self
Aptharakshaka
2010
as Dr. Vijay
Eetti
1985
Yaare Neenu Cheluve
1998
Kalinga
1980
as Prabhakar/ Ranga
Nishyabdha
1998
as Major Vishwanath
Marudhanayagam
as Wajid Khan
Ekadanta
2007
Halunda Tavaru
1994
Ee Bandhana
2007
as Harish Raj
Kadamba
2004
as Madhukeshawara Kadamba
Snehithara Saval
1981
Jyeshta
2004
Muyyige Muyyi
1978
as Sanjay
Sahodarara Savaal
1977
as Kiran
School Master
2010
Zaalim
1994
as Inspector Mohan
Kalla Kulla
1975
as Mahesh aka Kalla
Apthamitra
2004
Nagarahole
1977
Jana Nayaka
1988
Ravi Varma
1992
Makkala Sainya
1980
Varsha
2005
Neenu Nakkare Haalu Sakkare
1991
Nagarahavu
2016
as King Nagaraja (created with CGI)
Hendithghelthini
1998
Ashaant
1993
as Vishnu
Bellary Naga
2009
Nee Bareda Kadambari
1985
Hombisilu
1978
as Dr. Nataraj
Ellaranthalla Nanna Ganda
1997
Kauravar
1992
as Haridas I.P.S.
Kiladigalu
1994
Vamsha Vriksha
1971
as credited as "Kumar"
Deva
1989
Hosilu Mettida Hennu
1976
Sahasa Simha
1982
as Prathap
Amarnath
1978
as Guest Appearance
Onde Guri
1983
Mathe Hadithu Kogile
1990
as Anand
Bangarada Gudi
1976
as Vijay
Naagarahaavu
1972
as Ramachari
Thumbida Mane
1995
Laali
1997
Mane Mane Kathe
1981
Krishna Rukmini
1988
Vijay Vikram
1979
Sirithanakke Saval
1978
Parva
2002
Shivashankar
1990
as Shivu / Shankar
Bangarada Jinke
1980
Soorappa
2000
as Soorappa
Chinna Ninna Muddaduve
1977
Bandhana
1984
as Dr. Harish
Namyajamanru
2009
Maha Prachandaru
1981
Dhani
1996
Karmika Kallanalla
1982
Sahukara
2004
as Sahukara Raja Mahendra Varma
Neenello Nanalle
2006
Hello Daddy
1996
Raayaru Bandaru Maavana Manege
1993
as Vishnu
Jeevanadi
1996
Kittu Puttu
1977
as Kittu
Shubha Milana
1987
Seetheyalla Savithri
1973
Pedda Gedda
1982
Hrudaya Geethe
1989
Onde Roopa Eradu Guna
1975
Rahasya Rathri
1980
Karna
1986
Boothayyana Maga Ayyu
1974
as Gulla
Karnataka Suputhra
1996
Veeradhi Veera
1985
Asadhya Aliya
1979
as Ashok
Maathaad Maathaadu Mallige
2007
as Hoovaiah
Muthina Haara
1990
Yajamana
2000
as Shankar/Ganesha (Dual Role)
Kiladi Kittu
1978
as Kittu
Manikantana Mahime
1993
Sri Raghavendrar
1985
as Sri Yogenthra Tirtha
Benki Birugali
1984
as Vishnu
Jameendarru
2002
Prachanda Kulla
1984
Nan Hendthi Chennagiddale
2000
Vishnu Sena
2005
Nanendu Nimmavane
1993
Himapatha
1995
Lion Jagapathi Rao
1991
Hrudayavantha
2003
Nee Thanda Kanike
1985
Maduve Maadu Thamashe Nodu
1984
as Ganesha
Deepavali
2000
Samrat
1994
Inspector Dhanush
1991
Premotsava
1999
Jagadeka Veera
1991
Bhagya Jyothi
1975
Daada
1988
as Daada
Nishkarsha
1993
as Ajay Kumar
Raja Narasimha
2003
Suryavamsha
1999
as Sathyamurthy/Kanakamurthy (Dual Role)
Vishnu Vijaya
1993
Police Papanna
1984
as Guest Appearance
Malla
2004
as Self - Narrator (voice)
Baalina Jyothi
1996
Gandhada Gudi
1973
as Anand
Kotigobba
2001
as Nanjunda
Sowbhagya Lakshmi
1987
as Shyam / Chandru
Mangala Suthra
1997
Jeevana Jyothi
1987
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 152 credits spanning from 1971 to 2016, Vishnuvardhan has appeared in 152 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
- Galaate Samsaara (1977) — as Vasudev Rao
- Viduthalai (1986) — as Amar
- Driver Hanumanthu (1980)
- Aaradhane (1984) — as Rajesh
- Sirivantha (2006)
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.