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.