Born 18-09-1950(1950-09-18)
Mysore, Karnataka
Vishnuvardhan (born 18 September 1950) is a popular actor and singer in the Indian state of Karnataka. He is popularly regarded as one of the most versatile, talented, stylish and popular actors in the Kannada film Industry. His role in romantic, action, emotional, music, comedy or a family dramas have been widely popular in Kannada. Born Sampath Kumar, he adopted the name Vishnuvardhan at the instance of Puttanna Kanagal who directed his maiden film Nagarahavu.
Family
VishnuVardhan(Sampath Kumar)was born on 18 September 1950 to Late Sri. H.L. Narayan Rao and Late Smt. Kamakshamma. His father was a artist and script writer for movies. His family were living in Mysore's Chamundipuram. In those days, his father was well known for his collection of Musical Instruments and taught dancing. In fact, one of Vishnu's sister, Smt. Ramaramachandra was a Kathak dancer, who was praised by the then King of Mysore, Late Sri.Jayachamarajendra Wodeyar.
Early Days
Vishnuvardhan did his primary schooling in Mysore's Gopalswamy School and his middle school in Bangalore's Kannada Madari School. His high School and his degree in the National College, Basavanagudi, Bengaluru.
He started his career with the movie National Award winning Vamshavruksha directed by Girish Karnad but Nagarahaavu directed by Puttanna Kanagal, in which he played lead role for the first time, made him overnight star. Three and half decades of career and a variety of popular roles in more than 195 films speak high about his calibre as an actor.
Some of his all-time hits are Naagarahaavu ,Muthina Haara, Hombisilu, Sahasa Simha, Bandhana, Naagara Hole, Nishkarsha, Yajamana, Bhootayyana Maga Ayyu & Apthamitra. While shooting for, Muthina Haara movie Vishnu performed a dangerous parachute diving without a dupe and missed death by a whisker. He ventured into parallel cinema and acted in movies like Harakeya Kuri (based on Dr. Chandrashekar Kambar's novel with same title). Vishnu started to wear the "Kadha" from 1980. He first wore it in the movie Simhajodi and remains with him still. It was given to him in a gurudwara in Bidar.It is believed that the huge fan following of him didn't want Vishnuvardhan to deviate from his "Star Value" and "image". He continued to don the roles of macho hero and the ideal lover husband. His new movie called Namma Yejamanru was announced. It is directed by acclaimed director Nagabharana. The duo is working together after 27 years. He has now completed 197 movies. Namm Yejamaanru would be his 198th movie.
As a Singer
He started singing in movies occasionally and of late, he has started singing devotional songs for the private audio cassettes. The first song he sang was in the movie Nagarahole. The first devotional album sung by him was on "Lord Ayappa" and the title of the album was "Jyothiroopa Ayappa" and was a big hit. His other albums were "Thayi Bhanashankari" on goddess Banashankari. One more album on Ayappa called Vishwapremi Ayappa. He has also sung devotinal songs on Dharmastala's Lord Manjunathaswamy, Malemadeshwara and Ranachandi Chamundi.
Some of his famous songs are:
Hegiddharu Neene Chenna -Sahasa Simha
Shashiya Kandu Moda Helithu - Sirithanakke Savaal
Thuthu Anna Thinnoke - Jimmi Gallu
Beda Annoro Unte - Sididedda SahodaraKannadave Nammamma - Mojugara Sogusugara.
Most of his movies have either popular benchmarks or classics of Kannada film Industry.
Naagarahaavu -(First movie as a hero) - 1975
Gandhada Gudi -( only film with Dr. Rajakumar )
Devara Gudi - Nagendra, Rajan
Prof. Hutchooraya
Bhootayyana Maga Ayyu - Venkatesh.G.K
Singapoorinalli Raja Kulla – 1978 - Nagendra
Prema loka
Kiladi Jodi
Gandharva Giri
Galate samsara
Kalla Kulla
Maduve Maadu Tamashe Nodu
Makkala Sainya
Kitu Puttu
Krishna Rukhmini
Krishna Nee Beegane Baaro
Avala Hejje
Hombisilu
Bandhana
Malayamarutha
Suprabhatha
Muthina Haara
Rayaru Bandaru Mavana Manege
Halundathavaru
Laali
Saahasasimha
Suryavamsha
Yejamana
Veerappanayaka
GuruShishyaru
Rudranaga
Sathyam Shivam Sundaram
Kalinga
Ondeguri
Nishkarsha
Veeradhiveera
Jayasimha
Kotigobba
Nee Bareda Kadambari
yare neenu cheluve
Kiladigalu
Apthamitra
simhadriyasimha
Karna
Indina Ramayana
Ekadantha
Maathaad Maathaadu Mallige
E Bandhana
Gandada Gudi
Habba
Nammora Raja
Maleya Marutha
Vishnu Sena
Matthe Haadithu Kogile
Jyesta
Mojogara Sogasugara
Appaji
Police mattu dada
Jana nayaka
Gandugali rama
Sahasa simha
Jaya simha
Kadamba
Jamindaru
surappa
Tumbida mane
Deva
Ballari naga
Apta raksakaMaster
2005 Honorary Doctorate awarded by Bangalore University
7 south Indian Filmfare awards for best performances.
7 state awards in the best actor category.
Filmfare lifetime achievement award 2004.
Dr. Rajkumar Award 2009 (State Award)
Suprabatha created a record in 1988 by bagging 8 different awards and was the first Kannada movie to do so
Nagarahavu - 1972
Hombisilu - 1978
Bandhana - 1984
Suprabatha - 1988
Lion Jagapathi Rao - 1991
Laali - 1998
VerappaNayaka - 1999
Awards for Suprabatha
Aragini Reader's award
FilmFare
Cine Express
Tarangini Berkley
R.Nagendra Rao
Indira Pratishtana National
Kannada Film Fan's AssociationKaladevi Award(Chennai)
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