Cast & creator
Vishnuvardhan
Best known for Malgudi Days, Galaate Samsaara, Rama Parushurama
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.
Also known as: Sampath Kumar, Vishnuvardhan
159
film credits
1
television credits
159
1971–2016 · acting roles
7.4
average across scored titles
Signature credits
Known for
Across film & television
Filmography (160)
Showing 160 of 160 credits
Malgudi Days
Venkat / Venkat Rao
1987Galaate Samsaara
Vasudev Rao
1977Rama Parushurama
1980
Driver Hanumanthu
1980
Bellary Naga
2009
Nishyabdha
Major Vishwanath
1998
Varsha
2005
Halunda Tavaru
1994
Aptharakshaka
Dr. Vijay
2010Kiladi Kittu
Kittu
1978
Ee Bandhana
Harish Raj
2007
Sirivantha
2006
Sneha Sedu
1978
Bangarada Jinke
1980
Nagarahole
1977
Jimmy Gallu
1982
Marudhanayagam
Wajid Khan
Sirithanakke Saval
1978Sathya Jyothi
Ravi Varma
1986
Dhani
1996
Viduthalai
Amar
1986
Aaradhane
Rajesh
1984
Nagarahavu
King Nagaraja (created with CGI)
2016
Soorappa
Soorappa
2000
Muthina Haara
1990
Neenu Nakkare Haalu Sakkare
1991
Zaalim
Inspector Mohan
1994
Onde Guri
1983
Kalla Kulla
Mahesh'Kalla'
1975
Apthamitra
2004
Suprabhatha
Vijay Kumar
1988Mutthaide Bhagya
1983
Gandharva Giri
1983
Makkala Sainya
1980
Sahukara
Sahukara Raja Mahendra Varma
2004
Naagarahaavu
Ramachari
1972
Karna
1986
Bandhana
Dr. Harish
1984
Sahodarara Savaal
Kiran
1977
Yaare Neenu Cheluve
1998
Boothayyana Maga Ayyu
Gulla
1974
Pedda Gedda
1982
School Master
2010
Vijay Vikram
1979
Ashaant
Vishnu
1993
Ekadanta
2007Naniruvude Ninagagi
Vijay
1979
Ravi Varma
1992
Kadamba
Madhukeshawara Kadamba
2004
Deva
1989
Kiladigalu
1994
Muyyige Muyyi
Sanjay
1978
Hrudaya Geethe
1989
Maha Prachandaru
1981
Hombisilu
Dr. Nataraj
1978
Eetti
1985
Jyeshta
2004
Neenello Nanalle
2006
Krishna Rukmini
1988
Jeevanadi
1996
Shubha Milana
1987
Hosilu Mettida Hennu
1976
Ellaranthalla Nanna Ganda
1997
Mane Mane Kathe
1981
Parva
2002
Ganeshana Maduve
Self
1990
Chinna Ninna Muddaduve
1977
Seetheyalla Savithri
1973
Kalinga
Prabhakar/ Ranga
1980
Thumbida Mane
1995
Raayaru Bandaru Maavana Manege
Vishnu
1993
Onde Roopa Eradu Guna
1975
Bangarada Gudi
Vijay
1976
Belliyappa Bangarappa
1992
Hendithghelthini
1998
Hello Daddy
1996
Kauravar
Haridas I.P.S.
1992
Asadhya Aliya
Ashok
1979
Sahasa Simha
Prathap
1982
Maduve Maadu Thamashe Nodu
Ganesha
1984
Namyajamanru
2009
Nee Thanda Kanike
1985
Kittu Puttu
Kittu
1977
Nan Hendthi Chennagiddale
2000
Vamsha Vriksha
credited as "Kumar"
1971
Benki Birugali
Vishnu
1984
Rahasya Rathri
1980
Sri Raghavendrar
Sri Yogenthra Tirtha
1985
Shivashankar
Shivu / Shankar
1990
Krishna Nee Begane Baaro
1986
Nee Bareda Kadambari
1985
Karmika Kallanalla
1982
Jana Nayaka
1988
Laali
1997
Time Bomb
1994
Vishnu Vijaya
1993
Ithu Manjukaalam
Pauli
1993
Mojugara Sogasugara
1995
Nishkarsha
Ajay Kumar
1993
Amarnath
Guest Appearance
1978
Sowbhagya Lakshmi
Shyam / Chandru
1987
Yajamana
Shankar/Ganesha (Dual Role)
2000
Police Matthu Dada
1991
Kotigobba
Nanjunda
2001Veeradhi Veera
1985
Malla
Self - Narrator (voice)
2004
Mathe Hadithu Kogile
Anand
1990
Bangarada Kalasha
1995
Daada
Daada
1988
Maathaad Maathaadu Mallige
Hoovaiah
2007
Raja Narasimha
2003
Avala Hejje
1981
Habba
Vishnu
1999
Hrudayavantha
2003
Prachanda Kulla
1984
Gandhada Gudi
Anand
1973
Huli Hejje
1984
Okkadu Chaalu
2000
Vishnu Sena
2005
Harakeya Kuri
1992
Kiladi Jodi
George
1978
Mangala Suthra
1997
Samrat
1994
Kunthi Puthra
1994
Suryavamsha
Sathyamurthy/Kanakamurthy (Dual Role)
1999
Jagadeka Veera
1991
Nanendu Nimmavane
1993
Simha Gharjane
1983
Vasantha Lakshmi
Chandru
1978
Karulina Kudi
1995
Jameendarru
2002
Nammoora Raja
1988
Himapatha
1995
Snehithara Saval
1981
Karnataka Suputhra
1996
Alaigal
Inspector Raju
1973
Simhada Guri
1998
Inspector Dhanush
1991
Diggajaru
Wodeya
2001
Premotsava
1999
Police Papanna
Guest Appearance
1984
Lion Jagapathi Rao
1991Lion Jagapathi Rao
Screenplay
1991
Kotreshi Kanasu
1994
Deepavali
2000
Appaji
1996
Khaidi
1984
Jeevana Jyothi
1987
Naga Kanye
1975
Manikantana Mahime
1993
Singaporenalli Raja Kulla
Raja
1978
Sangharsha
1993
Jayasimha
1987
Bhagya Jyothi
1975
Janani Janmabhoomi
1997
Baalina Jyothi
1996
Mahakshathriya
1994
Veerappa Nayaka
1999
Simhadriya Simha
Narasimha Gowda and Chikka
2002
Vamsha Jyothi
Mahesh
1978