
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

Kalinga
1980
as Prabhakar/ Ranga

Nammoora Raja
1988

Zaalim
1994
as Inspector Mohan

Yaare Neenu Cheluve
1998

Jyeshta
2004

Kauravar
1992
as Haridas I.P.S.

Kotigobba
2001
as Nanjunda

Ganeshana Maduve
1990
as Self

Neenu Nakkare Haalu Sakkare
1991

Hombisilu
1978
as Dr. Nataraj

Gandhada Gudi
1973
as Anand

Deva
1989

Naagarahaavu
1972
as Ramachari

Boothayyana Maga Ayyu
1974
as Gulla

Benki Birugali
1984
as Vishnu

Nishkarsha
1993
as Ajay Kumar

Eetti
1985

Bangarada Jinke
1980

Hrudaya Geethe
1989

Muyyige Muyyi
1978
as Sanjay

Parva
2002

Viduthalai
1986
as Amar

Suprabhatha
1988
as Vijay Kumar

Ashaant
1993
as Vishnu

Yajamana
2000
as Shankar/Ganesha (Dual Role)

Jeevana Jyothi
1987

Karnataka Suputhra
1996

Suryavamsha
1999
as Sathyamurthy/Kanakamurthy (Dual Role)

Ithu Manjukaalam
1993
as Pauli

Habba
1999
as Vishnu

Vasantha Lakshmi
1978
as Chandru

Jana Nayaka
1988

Nan Hendthi Chennagiddale
2000

Kadamba
2004
as Madhukeshawara Kadamba

Inspector Dhanush
1991

Namyajamanru
2009

Mathe Hadithu Kogile
1990
as Anand

Sahodarara Savaal
1977
as Kiran

Vishnu Sena
2005

Kittu Puttu
1977
as Kittu

Makkala Sainya
1980

Raja Narasimha
2003

Appaji
1996

Onde Guri
1983

Sneha Sedu
1978

Harakeya Kuri
1992

Sahasa Simha
1982
as Prathap

Aptharakshaka
2010
as Dr. Vijay

Kiladi Jodi
1978
as George

Nishyabdha
1998
as Major Vishwanath

Varsha
2005

Vijay Vikram
1979
Vamsha Vriksha
1971
as credited as "Kumar"

Krishna Rukmini
1988

Apthamitra
2004

Bandhana
1984
as Dr. Harish

Ravi Varma
1992

Maduve Maadu Thamashe Nodu
1984
as Ganesha

Alaigal
1973
as Inspector Raju

Jeevanadi
1996

Hrudayavantha
2003

Mane Mane Kathe
1981

Lion Jagapathi Rao
1991

Maathaad Maathaadu Mallige
2007
as Hoovaiah

Samrat
1994

Premotsava
1999

Sirivantha
2006

Police Matthu Dada
1991

Shivashankar
1990
as Shivu / Shankar

Nagarahole
1977

Neenello Nanalle
2006

Maha Prachandaru
1981

Daada
1988
as Daada

Hello Daddy
1996

Bangarada Gudi
1976
as Vijay

Belliyappa Bangarappa
1992

Sowbhagya Lakshmi
1987
as Shyam / Chandru

Jayasimha
1987

Pedda Gedda
1982

Soorappa
2000
as Soorappa

Ekadanta
2007

Hendithghelthini
1998

Jimmy Gallu
1982

Jameendarru
2002

Himapatha
1995

Muthina Haara
1990

Baalina Jyothi
1996

Karna
1986

Deepavali
2000

Krishna Nee Begane Baaro
1986

Kiladigalu
1994

Nagarahavu
2016
as King Nagaraja (created with CGI)

Laali
1997

Halunda Tavaru
1994

Janani Janmabhoomi
1997

Dhani
1996

School Master
2010

Singaporenalli Raja Kulla
1978
as Raja

Driver Hanumanthu
1980

Ee Bandhana
2007
as Harish Raj

Diggajaru
2001
as Wodeya

Kalla Kulla
1975
as Mahesh aka Kalla

Chinna Ninna Muddaduve
1977

Sirithanakke Saval
1978

Mangala Suthra
1997

Thumbida Mane
1995

Nee Bareda Kadambari
1985
Kiladi Kittu
1978
as Kittu

Manikantana Mahime
1993

Mojugara Sogasugara
1995

Huli Hejje
1984

Onde Roopa Eradu Guna
1975

Ellaranthalla Nanna Ganda
1997

Simhada Guri
1998

Sahukara
2004
as Sahukara Raja Mahendra Varma

Bangarada Kalasha
1995

Karulina Kudi
1995
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 CineFlixo, 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)
- Kalinga (1980) — as Prabhakar/ Ranga
- Nammoora Raja (1988)
Where to Watch Vishnuvardhan Films
Most Vishnuvardhan movies and series are available to stream on CineFlixo 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.