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)
Sri Raghavendrar
1985
as Sri Yogenthra Tirtha
Marudhanayagam
as Wajid Khan
Yaare Neenu Cheluve
1998
Kalinga
1980
as Prabhakar/ Ranga
Okkadu Chaalu
2000
Jyeshta
2004
Suprabhatha
1988
as Vijay Kumar
Kotigobba
2001
as Nanjunda
Ganeshana Maduve
1990
as Self
Naagarahaavu
1972
as Ramachari
Viduthalai
1986
as Amar
Mathe Hadithu Kogile
1990
as Anand
Kauravar
1992
as Haridas I.P.S.
Deva
1989
Benki Birugali
1984
as Vishnu
Nishkarsha
1993
as Ajay Kumar
Eetti
1985
Ekadanta
2007
Zaalim
1994
as Inspector Mohan
Suryavamsha
1999
as Sathyamurthy/Kanakamurthy (Dual Role)
Aptharakshaka
2010
as Dr. Vijay
Makkala Sainya
1980
Hombisilu
1978
as Dr. Nataraj
Namyajamanru
2009
Gandhada Gudi
1973
as Anand
Kittu Puttu
1977
as Kittu
Sahodarara Savaal
1977
as Kiran
Janani Janmabhoomi
1997
Varsha
2005
Vijay Vikram
1979
Nan Hendthi Chennagiddale
2000
Thumbida Mane
1995
Jeevana Jyothi
1987
Bangarada Jinke
1980
Muyyige Muyyi
1978
as Sanjay
Nammoora Raja
1988
Parva
2002
Boothayyana Maga Ayyu
1974
as Gulla
Habba
1999
as Vishnu
Police Matthu Dada
1991
Vasantha Lakshmi
1978
as Chandru
Bandhana
1984
as Dr. Harish
Jameendarru
2002
Soorappa
2000
as Soorappa
Ashaant
1993
as Vishnu
Apthamitra
2004
Appaji
1996
Jeevanadi
1996
Ithu Manjukaalam
1993
as Pauli
Deepavali
2000
Premotsava
1999
Yajamana
2000
as Shankar/Ganesha (Dual Role)
Ee Bandhana
2007
as Harish Raj
Krishna Rukmini
1988
Seetheyalla Savithri
1973
Harakeya Kuri
1992
Diggajaru
2001
as Wodeya
Simhada Guri
1998
Himapatha
1995
Chinna Ninna Muddaduve
1977
Nagarahavu
2016
as King Nagaraja (created with CGI)
Karnataka Suputhra
1996
Singaporenalli Raja Kulla
1978
as Raja
Inspector Dhanush
1991
Hrudaya Geethe
1989
Shivashankar
1990
as Shivu / Shankar
Driver Hanumanthu
1980
School Master
2010
Sirivantha
2006
Neenu Nakkare Haalu Sakkare
1991
Halunda Tavaru
1994
Kiladi Jodi
1978
as George
Vishnu Sena
2005
Neenello Nanalle
2006
Jana Nayaka
1988
Lion Jagapathi Rao
1991
Kalla Kulla
1975
as Mahesh aka Kalla
Raja Narasimha
2003
Bangarada Gudi
1976
as Vijay
Onde Guri
1983
Kadamba
2004
as Madhukeshawara Kadamba
Huli Hejje
1984
Hendithghelthini
1998
Sahasa Simha
1982
as Prathap
Maduve Maadu Thamashe Nodu
1984
as Ganesha
Nagarahole
1977
Kiladi Kittu
1978
as Kittu
Ellaranthalla Nanna Ganda
1997
Hrudayavantha
2003
Baalina Jyothi
1996
Muthina Haara
1990
Jayasimha
1987
Daada
1988
as Daada
Sneha Sedu
1978
Alaigal
1973
as Inspector Raju
Mojugara Sogasugara
1995
Kiladigalu
1994
Rahasya Rathri
1980
Manikantana Mahime
1993
Samrat
1994
Sowbhagya Lakshmi
1987
as Shyam / Chandru
Kotreshi Kanasu
1994
Mangala Suthra
1997
Asadhya Aliya
1979
as Ashok
Maathaad Maathaadu Mallige
2007
as Hoovaiah
Jimmy Gallu
1982
Khaidi
1984
Nishyabdha
1998
as Major Vishwanath
Vamsha Vriksha
1971
as credited as "Kumar"
Sahukara
2004
as Sahukara Raja Mahendra Varma
Maha Prachandaru
1981
Dhani
1996
Karulina Kudi
1995
Jagadeka Veera
1991
Police Papanna
1984
as Guest Appearance
Veerappa Nayaka
1999
Amarnath
1978
as Guest Appearance
Belliyappa Bangarappa
1992
Mane Mane Kathe
1981
Avala Hejje
1981
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 HinFlix, free and in HD, with no subscription required.
Most Popular Vishnuvardhan Movies
- Sri Raghavendrar (1985) — as Sri Yogenthra Tirtha
- Marudhanayagam — as Wajid Khan
- Yaare Neenu Cheluve (1998)
- Kalinga (1980) — as Prabhakar/ Ranga
- Okkadu Chaalu (2000)
Where to Watch Vishnuvardhan Films
Most Vishnuvardhan movies and series are available to stream on HinFlix 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.