Biography / Biodata
| Name | Vishnuvardhan |
| Bort Name | Sampath Kumar |
| Date of Birth | 18 September 1950(1950-09-18) |
| Birth Place | Mysore, Karnataka, India |
| Spouse(s) | Bharathi Vishnuvardhan |
| Father | H.L. Narayana Rao |
| Mother | Kamakshamma |
| daughters: | Keerthi and Chandana |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Other names | Vishnu, Sahasa Simha, Abhinava Bhargava |
| Height | 5’7″ |
| Died | 30 December 2009 (aged 59) |
| Schoo & College | Mysore’s Gopalswamy School,
Madari School, National College, Bangalore. |
| Profession | Actor |
- Vishnuvardhan (Kannada: ವಿಷ್ಣುವರ್ಧನ್) was a popular actor and singer in the Indian state of Karnataka.
- His father was an artist, music composer and a scriptwriter.
- His family lived in Mysore’s Chamundipuram.
- Vishnuvardhan was a very kind-hearted person who did a lot of charity.
- Vishnuvardhan was married to Kannada actress Bharathi on 27 February 1975 at Kuchalamba Kalyana Mantapa in Bangalore.
- He had 2 adopted daughters, Keerthi and Chandana
Trivia
- He was reported to have been beaten by his mentor, Puttanna Kanagal, during the filming of Naagara Havu, for correcting his acting.
- He has also sung songs in movies such as Seethyalla Savitri, Sahasa Simha, Jimmy Gallu, Vishnu Sena.
- He acted in about a dozen movies produced/directed by Dwarakesh, the latest being Apthamitra (directed by P. Vasu).
- His Singaporenalli Raja Kulla was the first ever south Indian film to be shot outside India. It was shot in Singapore.
- His Muthina Haara was the first ever 70mm film.
- In the movie Yejamana (2001) he played a double role as elder and younger brother.
- Yejamana movie was the biggest hit in the history of Kannada cinema.
- Apthamitra was one of the biggest hits of the South Indian film industry.
- His Hombisilu, Nagarahaavu, Bandhana, Suprabhatha, Yajamana, Aaptha Mithra, Nee Bareda Kaadambari have all had a 1 year run at the theatres.
Vishnuvardhan Personal Information:
Vishnuvardhan Likes
Outfit: Would like to dress according to the occasion.
Car: Has a liking and fascination for all sports cars.
Food: Nothing in particular.More than the food it goes with the mind set and affection in the making.
Restaurant: Chinese Cuisine at Hotel Taj in Bangalore.
Book : Not a big reader.Would like to read anything simple and fast paced.At times used to read James Hadley Chase.
Pet: Likes all animals (Wild & pets).Dog is his favorite.
Colour: White.
Hollywood Stars: Bruno, Arnold Schwarzenegger
Hollywood Actress: Marilyn Monroe.
Hobbies: Horse riding, Singing, Listening to light music.
Sports: Cricket, Tennis.
Career
As an actor:
Vishnuvardhan started his film career with Girish Karnad’s Vamshavruksha which won the National Award. But the actor grew popular only after appearing in the lead role in Puttanna Kanagal’s Nagarahaavu. He has appeared in 195 films, out of which Naagarahaavu, Muthina Haara, Hombisilu, Sahasa Simha, Bandhana, Naagara Hole, Nishkarsha, Yajamana, Bhootayyana Maga Ayyu, and Apthamitra were superhits.
The actor recently appeared in Bellary Naga by Dinesh Baboo. Vishnu was highly appreciated for the way he handled his dialogues in this film. This became the last film of his life. He was also working for a film named Master but unfortunately could not complete it.
Tamil films — He has acted in two Tamil films – Viduthalai and Sri Raghavendra, both films starred Rajinikanth in a leading role. In Sri Raghavendra he appeared in a guest role, while in Viduthalai he starred as a second hero. He acted with Sivaji Ganesan in the same film.
Malayalam Film — He has acted in a Malayalam Film – Kauravar with Mammootty.
Bollywood films — Vishnuvardhan has acted in three Bollywood films; Inspector Dhanush and co-starred with Akshay kumar in films Ashaanth & Zaalim.
He has also acted in one episode of TV serial Malgudi Days Episode 18 – “Forty-Five a Month”, directed by Shankar Nag.
As a singer:
Vishnu made his singing debut in Nagarahole and later sang a superhit devotional song for an album, Jyothiroopa Ayappa. Some of his other devotional albums are Vishwapremi Ayappa, and Thayi Bhanashankari. He has also sung for lords like Dharmastala’s Lord Manjunathaswamy, Malemadeshwara, and Ranachandi Chamundi.
Some of his most famous numbers are ‘Thuthu Anna Thinnoke’, ‘Beda Annoro Unte’, and ‘Kannadave Nammamma’.
DEATH
- The actor died of a massive heart attack on December 30, 2009 at Vikram Hospital, Mysore, Karnataka at 2:30 a.m. and was later cremated at Abhinay Studio.
Filmography
- Vamsha Vruksha
- Naagarahaavu
- Seethe Alla Savithri
- Mane Belagida Sose
- Gandhada Gudi
- Boothayana Maga Ayyu
- Professor HucchuRaya
- Anna Athige
- Devaragudi
- Koodi Balona
- Kalla Kulla
- Bhagya Jyothi
- Nagakanye
- Onde Roop Eradu Guna
- Devaru Kotta Vara
- Hosilu Mettida Hennu
- Makkala Bhagya
- Bhangarada Gudi
- Bhayasade Bhanda Bhagya
- Sose Thanda Soubhagya
- Nagarahole
- Chinna Ninna Muddaduve
- Shrimanthana Magalu
- Sahodara Savaal
- Shani Prabhava
- Galate Samsara
- Kittu Puttu
- Hombisilu
- Sandharbha
- Kiladi Kittu
- Vamshajyothi
- Muie Ge Muie
- Siritanakke Savaal
- Prathima
- Nanna Prayaschita
- Sneha Sedu
- Kiladi Jodi
- Vasanth Lakshmi
- Amarnath
- Bhale Huduga
- Madhura Sangama
- Singaporalli Raja Kulla
- Asadhya Aliya
- Vijay Vikram
- Naniruvude Ninagagi
- Manini
- Nentaro Gantu Kallaro
- Nanna Rosha Nooru Varusha
- Rama Parushurama
- Kalinga
- Hanthakana Sanchu
- Makkala Sainya
- Biligiriya Banadalli
- Simhajodi
- Rahasya Rathri
- Bhangaradha Jinke
- Driver Hanumanthu
- Mane Mane Kathe
- Naaga kala Bhairava
- Mahaprachandaru
- Guru Sishyaru
- Snehitara Savaal
- Avala Hejje
- Preetisi Nodu
- Pedda Gedda
- Jeevana Chakra
- Sahasa Simha
- Karmika kallanalla
- Oorige Upakari
- Jimmi Gallu
- Suvarna Sethuve
- Onde Guri
- Kallu Veene Nudiyithu
- Sididedda Sahodara
- Muthaide Bhagya
- Gandharva Giri
- Gandugali Rama
- Chinnadantha Maga
- Simha Garjane
- Prachanda Kulla
- Rudranaga
- Khaidi
- Benki Birugali
- Indina Ramayana
- Bandhana
- Huli Hejje
- Chanakya
- Aaradhane
- Madhuve Madu Tamashe Nodu
- Karthavya
- Mahapurusha
- Veeradhi Veera
- Nee Bareda Kadambari
- Mareyada Manikya
- Nanna Prathigne
- Nee Thanda Kanike
- Karna
- Kathanayaka
- EE Jeeva Ninagagi
- Sathya Jyothi
- Krishna Nee Begane Baro
- Malyamarutha Vishwanatha
- Premaloka
- Saubhagyalakshmi
- Karunamayi
- Jayasimha
- Aaseya Bhale
- Jeevana Jyothi
- Shubhamilana
- Sathyam Shivam Sundaram
- 40178
- Olavina Aasare
- Nammora Raja
- Jananayaka
- Suprabhatha Vijay Kumar
- Krishna Rukmini
- Dada
- Mithileya Seetheyaru
- Ondhagi Bhaalu
- Hrudhaya Geethe
- Rudra
- Deva
- Doctor Krishna
- ShivaShankar’shiva’
- Mutthina Hara
- Mathe Hadithu Kogile
- Lion Jagapathirao
- Neenu Nakkare Haalu Sakkare
- Jagadeka Veera
- Police Mathu Dada
- Rajadhi Raja
- Ravivarma
- Harikeya Kuri
- Nanna Shatru
- Sangarsha
- Vyshakada Dinagalu
- Naanendu Nimmavane
- Rayaru Bhandaru Mavana Manege
- Vishnu Vijaya Keshu
- ManiKantana Mahime
- Nishkarsha
- Time Bomb
- Kunthi Putra
- Samrat
- Mahakshatriya
- Halunda Thavaru
- Kiladigalu
- Kona Edaithe
- Deerga Sumangali
- Bangarada kalasa
- Thumbida Mane
- Karulinakudi
- Himapatha
- Mojugara Sogusugara
- Appaji
- Hello Dady
- Karnataka Suputhra
- Dhani
- Jeevanadhi
- Balina Jyothi
- Mangalasoothra
- Ellaranthalla Nanna Ganda
- Shruthi Hakida Hejje
- Janani Janma Bhoomi
- Nishabdha
- Yaare Neenu Cheluve
- Simhada Guri
- Hendithge Helthini
- Veerappa Nayaka
- Habba
- Suryavamshi
- Premotsava
- Soorappa
- Deepavali
- Nanna Hendthi Chennagiddale.
- Yejamana
- Diggajaru
- Kotigobba
- Parva
- Jamindarru
- Simhadriya Simha
- Raja Narasimha
- Hrudayavantha
- Kadamba
- Apthamitra
- Sahukara
- Jyeshta
- Varsha
- Vishnu Sena
- Nenello Nanalle
- Sirivantha
- Ekadantha
- Maathaad Maathaadu Mallige
- Ee Bandhana
- Kshana Kshana
- Nam Yajamanaru
- Bellary Naga
- School Master
- Posthumous film
- Aptharakshaka
Awards
- 7 South Indian Filmfare Awards for Best Actor
- Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 2002
Karnataka State Award for Best Actor
- Naagarahaavu – 1972
- Hombisilu – 1978
- Bandhana – 1984
- Suprabatha – 1988
- Lion Jagapathi Rao – 1991
- Laali – 1998
- VerappaNayaka – 1999
- Awards for Suprabatha
- Dipaawali-2000
Other awards
- 2005 Honorary Doctorate awarded by Bangalore University
- Dr. Rajkumar Award 2009 (State Award)
- Suprabatha created a record in 1988 by receiving 8 different awards and was the first Kannada movie to do so.
- Aragini Reader’s award
- Cine Express
- Tarangini Berkley
- Indira Pratishtana National
- Kannada Film Fan’s Association
- Kaladevi Award (Chennai)
- Dr. Vishnuvardhan daughters, Keerthi and Chandana.
Dr. Vishnuvardhan and Bharathi
Anirudha and Vishnuvardhan
Vishnuvardhan’s death photos
Dr. Vishnuvardhan Samadhi
Priya Priya O Priya – Simhadriya Simha – Vishnu – Meena
Kannada superstar Vishnuvardhan’s death
Tags: Anirudha, Bharathi, Dr. Vishnuvardhan, Kannada Actors, Kannada Movies, Sandalwood Actors