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 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.
Benki Birugali
(Vishnu)
Suprabhatha
(Vijay Kumar)
Simhadriya Simha
(Narasimha Gowda and Chikka)
Muthina Haara
Kalinga
(Prabhakar/ Ranga)
Ganeshana Maduve
(Self)
Ithu Manjukaalam
(Pauli)
Sahukara
(Sahukara Raja Mahendra Varma)
Okkadu Chaalu
Sahasa Simha
(Prathap)
Karnataka Suputhra
Kauravar
(Haridas I.P.S.)
Aptharakshaka
(Dr. Vijay)
Boothayyana Maga Ayyu
(Gulla)
Bandhana
(Dr. Harish)
Diggajaru
(Wodeya)
Maathaad Maathaadu Mallige
(Hoovaiah)
Malla
(Self - Narrator (voice))
Habba
(Vishnu)
Deva
Hombisilu
(Dr. Nataraj)
Ekadanta
Varsha
Vishnu Sena
Apthamitra
Nan Hendthi Chennagiddale
Yaare Neenu Cheluve
Krishna Nee Begane Baaro
Makkala Sainya
Sahodarara Savaal
(Kiran)
Bellary Naga
Kadamba
(Madhukeshawara Kadamba)
Manikantana Mahime
Nanendu Nimmavane
Halunda Tavaru
Naagarahaavu
(Ramachari)
Neenello Nanalle
Vamsha Vriksha
(credited as "Kumar")
Karmika Kallanalla
Suryavamsha
(Sathyamurthy/Kanakamurthy (Dual Role))
Kotreshi Kanasu
Kotigobba
(Nanjunda)
Alaigal
(Inspector Raju)
Jyeshta
Kiladi Kittu
(Kittu)
Yajamana
(Shankar/Ganesha (Dual Role))
Ee Bandhana
(Harish Raj)
Kittu Puttu
(Kittu)
Gandhada Gudi
(Anand)
Nagarahavu
(King Nagaraja (created with CGI))
Sri Raghavendrar
(Sri Yogenthra Tirtha)
Eetti
Zaalim
(Inspector Mohan)
Ashaant
(Vishnu)
Viduthalai
(Amar)
Belliyappa Bangarappa
Shivashankar
(Shivu / Shankar)
Nishkarsha
(Ajay Kumar)
Marudhanayagam
(Wajid Khan)
Asadhya Aliya
(Ashok)
Kalla Kulla
(Mahesh aka Kalla)
Bangarada Gudi
(Vijay)
Muyyige Muyyi
(Sanjay)
Vasantha Lakshmi
(Chandru)
Amarnath
(Guest Appearance)
Singaporenalli Raja Kulla
(Raja)
Kiladi Jodi
(George)
Mathe Hadithu Kogile
(Anand)
Nee Bareda Kadambari
Mane Mane Kathe
Raayaru Bandaru Maavana Manege
(Vishnu)
Nishyabdha
(Major Vishwanath)
Snehithara Saval
Onde Guri
Appaji
Daada
(Daada)
Soorappa
(Soorappa)
Simha Gharjane
Krishna Rukmini
Jimmy Gallu
Hrudaya Geethe
Jagadeka Veera
Bhagya Jyothi
Avala Hejje
Huli Hejje
Neenu Nakkare Haalu Sakkare
Khaidi
Bangarada Jinke
Veerappa Nayaka
Vijay Vikram
Jayasimha
Karna
Nammoora Raja
Maduve Maadu Thamashe Nodu
(Ganesha)
Sirivantha
Dhani
Mojugara Sogasugara
Lion Jagapathi Rao
Laali
Kiladigalu
Thumbida Mane
Kunthi Puthra
Samrat
Mahakshathriya
Parva
Jameendarru
Raja Narasimha
Hrudayavantha
Premotsava
Deepavali
Ellaranthalla Nanna Ganda
Janani Janmabhoomi
Mangala Suthra
Baalina Jyothi
Jeevanadi
Hello Daddy
Himapatha
Karulina Kudi
Bangarada Kalasha
Time Bomb
Vishnu Vijaya
Police Matthu Dada
Inspector Dhanush
Harakeya Kuri
Simhada Guri
Hendithghelthini
Ravi Varma
Sangharsha
Pedda Gedda
Prachanda Kulla
Police Papanna
(Guest Appearance)
Nee Thanda Kanike
Maha Prachandaru
Jeevana Jyothi
Sowbhagya Lakshmi
(Shyam / Chandru)
Seetheyalla Savithri
Naga Kanye
Jana Nayaka
School Master
Namyajamanru
Rahasya Rathri
Driver Hanumanthu
Sneha Sedu
Sirithanakke Saval
Nagarahole
Onde Roopa Eradu Guna
Hosilu Mettida Hennu
Chinna Ninna Muddaduve