Vishnuvardhan (actor)

Vishnuvardhan
Born	Sampath Kumar 18 September 1950(1950-09-18) Mysore, Karnataka, India
Died	30 December 2009(2009-12-30) (aged 59)[1] Mysore, Karnataka, India
Other names	Vishnu
Height	5'7"
Spouse	Bharathi Vishnuvardhan
Website
vishnuvardhan.com

Sampath Kumar (Kannada: ಸಂಪತ್ ಕುಮಾರ್ 18 September 1950 – 30 December 2009),^[1] popularly known as Vishnuvardhan (Kannada: ವಿಷ್ಣುವರ್ಧನ್), was a prominent Indian film actor. He has acted in Kannada, Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam and Tamil films. He has acted in over 220 movies in total that includes 200 Kannada movies, 5 Hindi movies, 5 Telugu movies, 3 Malayalam movies and 6 Tamil movies.^[2] Vishnuvardhan was popularly called as Sahasa Simha ('valorous lion'), Abhinava Bhargava(The Emperor Of Acting) and has crores and crores of fans all over the world. He was known as "The Phoenix Of Indian Cinema". He adopted the name Vishnuvardhan at the insistence of Puttanna Kanagal, who directed his maiden film, Naagarahaavu.

Early life

Vishnuvardhan was born in Mysore, Karnataka in a Brahmin family to H.L. Narayana Rao and Kamakshamma. His father was an artist, music composer and a scriptwriter. His family lived in Mysore's Chamundipuram. His father was known for his collection of musical instruments. His sister Rama Ramachandra, was a Kathak dancer at the Mysore Palace. He has 6 siblings.

He did his primary schooling in Mysore's Gopalswamy School and his middle school in Bangalore's Kannada Madari School. He attended high school and obtained his degree at the National College, Basavanagudi, Bangalore.

Career

Vishnuvardhan started his career with the National Award-winning movie Vamshavruksha (1972) directed by Girish Karnad. Naagarahaavu, directed by Puttanna Kanagal, in which he played a lead role for the first time, made him an overnight star. In his three-and-a-half decade-long career, he played a variety of popular roles in more than 220 films.

While shooting for Muthina Haara, Vishnu performed a dangerous parachute dive without a double and narrowly escaped death. He ventured into parallel cinema and acted in movies like Harakeya Kuri (based on Chandrashekar Kambar's novel with same title).

Television career

He appeared on television for the first time in the 1980s. Shankar Nag directed Malgudi Days and introduced Vishnuvardhan as the main character Venkat Rao, in an episode called "Rupees Forty-five a Month".

As a singer

He started singing in movies occasionally and later went on to singing devotional songs for albums. 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. His other albums were "Thayi Bhanashankari" (on goddess Banashankari) and Vishwapremi Ayappa. He also sang devotional songs on Dharmastala's Lord Manjunathaswamy, Malemadeshwara and Ranachandi Chamundi.

Some of his songs are:

• "Hegiddharu Neene Chenna" (Sahasa Simha)
• "Shashiya Kandu Moda Helithu" (Sirithanakke Savaal)
• "Thuthu Anna Thinnoke" (Jimmi Gallu)
• "Beda Annoro Unte" (Sididedda Sahodara)
• "Kannadave Nammamma" (Mojugara Sogusugara)
• "Abhimani Gale Nanna Pranaa" (Vishnu Sena)
• "Ee Notake" (Nagarahol)
• "Madilalli" (Kiladi Kittu)
• "Aasegala THota" (Hanthakana Sanchu)
• "Naguve Swarga" (Naaga Kaala Bhirava)
• "Olavina jodi" (Kallu Veene Nudiyithu)
• "Vayyari Nee" (Gandugali Rama)
• "Savi Maathanu" (Chinnadantha Maga)
• "Cheluvina Chenniga" (Rudra Naga)
• "Muthe Maniye" (Khaidi)
• "Nammora Beediyali" (Benki Birugali)
• "Kannalli Nee Bandu" (Simha Gharjane)
• "Kandaddu Kandahaage" (Huli Hejje)
• "Anuraaga Geetheyali" (Benki Birugali)
• "Kande Nanna" (Mahapurusha)
• "Nanna Kolige" (Shivashankar)
• "Nagutha Nova Mareyuva" (Karnataka Suputra)

Death

Vishnuvardhan died on 30 December 2009, due to a massive cardiac arrest at King's Court Hotel in Mysore. He was survived by his wife, Bharathi Vishnuvardhan, and two adopted daughters, Keerthi and Chandana.

Lakhs of fans came to pay their last tribute at the National College Grounds near Basavangudi where his body was placed for public view. A grand procession arrangement was made to pay tribute to the actor; however, protests erupted resulting in violence.^[3] Violence was also witnessed in some parts of Karnataka.^[4] Police lathicharged fans^[5] and mourners in Bangalore. Several fans committed suicide on hearing of Vishnuvardhan's sudden death. Many of his fans across the state tonsured their heads to pay their respects to the departed actor.

As an acknowledgement to his service to Indian cinema, the state government also decided to name its annual lifetime achievement award to long-serving film personalities after Vishnuvardhan, renaming it the "Dr. Vishnuvardhan Lifetime Achievement Award".

Personal life

Vishnuvardhan was married to Kannada actress Bharathi. He had 2 adopted daughters, Keerthi and Chandana.

Vishnuvardhan was a very kind-hearted person who did a lot of charity. It is said that he used to help people and request them not to bring up the topic in public, as he didn't want to become famous for the good deeds that he had done. After his death many such topics came out in public, as many TV channels showed people who were helped by Vishnuvardhan.^{[citation needed]}

Filmography

The following is a list of Vishnuvardhan's Kannada films.^[2]

Year	Film	Role	Director	Notes
1972	Vamshavruksha	Prithvi	Girish Karnad	Vishnuvardhan's first film which won a National Award
	Naagarahaavu	Ramachari	Puttanna Kanagal	First film in India with slow-motion recording of a song, He won Film fare award and state award.
1973	Seethe Alla Savithri		Jayalakshmi
	Mane Belagida Sose		Shrikanth
	Gandhada Gudi	Anand	Vijay	Rajkumar was the hero and Vishnu starred in a villainous role
1974	Bhootayyana Maga Ayyu	Gulla	Siddalingaiah	First Kannada film shot entirely outside the studio
	Professor Hucchuraya		A. R. Vittal
	Anna Attige		A. R. Vittal
1975	Devaragudi		R. Ramamurthy
	Koodi Balona		A. R. Vittal
	Kalla Kulla	Mahesh (Kalla)	K. S. R. Das	Dwarkish played the role of Kulla
	Bhagya Jyothi		K. S. L. Swamy
	Nagakanye		S. V. Rajendrasingh Babu
	Onde Roopa Eradu Guna	(Double role)	A. M. Samiullah
1976	Devaru Kotta Vara		R. Ramamurthy
	Hosilu Mettida Hennu		V. T. Thyagarajan
	Makkala Bhagya		K. S. L. Swamy
	Bhangarada Gudi		K. S. R. Das
1977	Bhayasade Bhanda Bhagya	Ramu	R. Ramamurthy
	Sose Thanda Soubhagya	Shekhara	A. V. Sheshgiri Rao	First CinemaScope film of Kannada
	Nagarahole		S. V. Rajendra Singh Babu
	Chinna Ninna Muddaduve		A. M. Samiullah
	Shrimanthana Magalu		A. V. Sheshgiri Rao
	Sahodara Savaal		K. S. R. Das
	Shani Prabhava		Rathnakar-Madhu	Vishnuvardhan's 25th film
	Galate Samsara		C. V. Rajendran
	Kittu Puttu	Kittu	C. V. Rajendran
1978	Hombisilu	Dr. Nataraj	Geetapriya	Dwarkish played the role of Puttu, He won Film Fare award
	Sandharbha		Gaurisundar
	Kiladi Kittu		S. V. Rajendrasingh Babu
	Vamshajyothi		A. Bhimsingh
	Muyyi Ge Muyyi		Y. R. Swamy
	Siritanakke Savaal		T. R. Ramanna
	Prathima		T. R. Ramanna
	Nanna Prayaschita		Ugranarasimha
	Sneha Sedu		V. Madhusudhan Rao
	Kiladi Jodi		S. V. Rajendrasingh Babu
	Vasanth Lakshmi		A. V. Sheshgiri Rao
	Amarnath		Manimurugan
	Bhale Huduga	Ravi	T. R. Ramanna
	Madhura Sangama		T. P. Venugopal
	Singaporalli Raja Kulla	Raja	C. V. Rajendran	The first Kannada film shot outside India
1979	Asadhya Aliya		Bhargava
	Vijay Vikram	(Double role)	V. Somashekar
	Naniruvude Ninagagi		A. V. Sheshgiri Rao
	Manini		K. S. Sethumanadhavan
	Nentaro Gantu Kallaro		A. V. Sheshgiri Rao
1980	Nanna Rosha Nooru Varusha		Joesimon
	Rama Parushurama		Vijay
	Kalinga		V. Somashekar	Vishnuvardhan's 50th film
	Hanthakana Sanchu		B. Kishan
	Makkala Sainya		Lakshmi
	Biligiriya Banadalli		Siddalingaiah
	Simha Jodi		Joesimon
	Rahasya Rathri		M. S. Kumar
	Bhangaradha Jinke		Nagabharana
	Driver Hanumanthu		K. S. L. Swamy
1981	Mane Mane Kathe		Rajachandra
	Naaga kala Bhairava		Tiptur Raghu
	Mahaprachandaru		Joesimon
	Guru Sishyaru		Bhargava
	Snehitara Savaal		K. S. R. Das
	Avala Hejje		Bhargava
	Preetisi Nodu		Geetapriya
1982	Pedda Gedda		Bhargava
	Jeevana Chakra		Bhargava
	Sahasa Simha		Joesimon
	Karmika Kallanalla		K. S. R. Das
	Oorige Upakari		Joesimon
	Jimmi Gallu	Jimmi	K. S. L. Swamy
	Suvarna Sethuve		Geetapriya
	Onde Guri		Bhargava
	Kallu Veene Nudiyithu		Tiptur Raghu
1983	Sididedda Sahodara	(Double role)	Joesimon
	Muthaide Bhagya		Chandrashekar Sharma
	Gandharva Giri		Dhananjaya	Vishnuvardhan's 75th film
	Gandugali Rama		Bhargava
	Chinnadantha Maga		K. S. R. Das
	Simha Garjane		S. V. Chandrashekar
	Prachanda Kulla		P. S. Prakash
1984	Rudranaga		Manimurugan
	Khaidi		K. S. R. Das
	Benki Birugali		Tiptur Raghu
	Indina Ramayana		Rajachandra
	Bandhana	Dr.Harish	S. V. Rajendrasingh Babu
	Huli Hejje	Soma	K. S. L. Swamy	Tiger Prabhakar, Sundar Krishna Urs, Jai jagadish, Vijayalaxmi Singh
	Chanakya		V. Somashekar
	Aaradhane		Deepakjalraj
	Madhuve Madu Tamashe Nodu		Sathya
1985	Karthavya	Inspector Vijay	K. S. R. Das
	Mahapurusha		Joesimon
	Veeradhi Veera		Vijay
	Nee Bareda Kadambari		Dwarkish
	Mareyada Manikya		Vijay
	Nanna Prathigne		K. S. R. Das
	Nee Thanda Kanike	Ravi	Dwarkish
1986	Karna		Bhargava
	Kathanayaka	Ranga	P. Vasu
	Ee Jeeva Ninagagi		V. Somashekar
	Sathya Jyothi		K. Rangarajan	Vishnuvardhan's 100th film
	Krishna Nee Begane Baro		Bhargava
	Malyamarutha	Vishwanatha	Ravi
1987	Premaloka		Ravichandran	Guest appearance
	Saubhagyalakshmi		Bhargava
	Karunamayi	Raja	Bhargava
	Jayasimha	Inspector Jayasihma	P. Vasu
	Aaseya Bhale		Rajkishore
	Jeevana Jyothi	Ravi	P. Vasu
	Shubhamilana		Bhargava	Co-actors: Ambika, Tara; produced by HV Nagendrappa; music by M Ranga Rao
	Sathyam Shivam Sundaram	(Triple role)	K. S. R. Das
1988	40178		Manobala
	Olavina Aasare		K. V. Jayaram
	Nammora Raja		Bhargava
	Jananayaka		Bhargava
	Suprabhatha	Vijay Kumar	Dinesh Babu
	Krishna Rukmini		Bhargava
	Dada	(Double role)	P. Vasu
	Mithileya Seetheyaru		K. S. L. Swamy
1989	Ondhagi Baalu		K. S. R. Das
	Hrudhaya Geethe		Bhargava
	Rudra		K. S. R. Das
	Deva	Deva	Vijay
	Doctor Krishna	Dr. Krishna	Paniramachandra
1990	Shiva Shankar	Shiva/ Shankara (Double role)	Bhargava
	Muthina Haara		S. V. RajendraSingh Babu	Vishnuvardhan's 125th film
	Mathe Hadithu Kogile		Bhargava
1991	Lion Jagapathi Rao	(Double role)	Saiprakash
	Neenu Nakkare Haalu Sakkare		Dhore-Bhagwan
	Jagadeka Veera		Bhargava
	Police Mathu Dada	Inspector Dhanush/ Vishnu Dada (Vishnu Pratap) (Double role)	Thulsi-Shyam
1992	Rajadhi Raja		Bhargava
	Ravivarma		Joesimon
	Harikeya Kuri		K. S. L. Swamy
	Nanna Shatru	Ashok	Bhargava
1993	Sangarsha		Sunil Kumar Desai
	Vyshakada Dinagalu		Katte Ramachandra
	Naanendu Nimmavane		Paniramachandra
	Rayaru Bhandaru Mavana Manege		Dwarkish
	Vishnu Vijaya		Keshu	Akshay Kumar acted as the second hero with Vishnuvardhan
	ManiKantana Mahime		K. Shankar
1994	Nishkarsha		Sunilkumar Desai
	Time Bomb		Joesimon
	Kunthi Putra		Vijay
	Samrat		Naganna
	Mahakshatriya		S. V. RajendraSingh Babu
1995	Halunda Thavaru		D. RajendraBabu
	Kiladigalu	(Double role)	Dwarkish
	Kona Edaithe		Bharavi
	Yamakinkara		Prabahakar
	Deerga Sumangali	Adithya	D. RajendraBabu
	Bangarada Kalasa		Bhargava
	Thumbida Mane		Umesh
	Karulina Kudi		V. P. Sarathy
	Himapatha		S. V. RajendraSingh Babu
1996	Mojugara Sogusugara	(Double role)	Vijay	Vishnuvardhan's 150th film
	Appaji		D. Rajendra Babu
	Hello Daddy		Naganna
	Karnataka Suputhra		Vijay
	Dhani		Balajisingh Babu
	Jeevanadhi		D. RajendraBabu
	Balina Jyothi		Dwarkish
1997	Mangalasoothra		Balajisingh Babu
	Ellaranthalla Nanna Ganda		Umesh
	Shruthi Hakida Hejje		Dwarkish
	Janani Janma Bhoomi	Dr.Yeshwanth	Bhargava
	Laali		Dinesh Babu	State Award for Best Film; Vishnuvardhan received the State Award for Best Actor.
1998	Nishabdha		Dinesh Babu
	Yaare Neenu Cheluve	Vishnu (Auto driver)	D. Rajendra Babu
	Simhada Guri		M. Narayan Rao
	Hendithge Helthini		Dinesh Babu
1999	Veerappa Nayaka		S. Narayan
	Habba		D. Rajendra Babu
	Suryavamsha	Satya Murthy and Kanaka Murthy (Double role)	S. Narayan
	Premotsava		Dinesh Babu
2000	Soorappa		Naganna	Vishnuvardhan's 175th film
	Deepavali		Dinesh Babu
	Nanna Hendthi Chennagiddale		Dinesh Babu
	Yejamana	Shankara / Ganesha (Double role)	Seshadri and Radha Bharathi
2001	Diggajaru	Dodda / Chikka (Double role)	D. Rajendra Babu
	Kotigobba	Nanjunda (Auto driver)/ Jayasimha (Underworld Don)	Naganna
2002	Parva		Sunil Kumar Desai
	Jamindarru	(Double role)	S. Narayan
	Simhadriya Simha	(Triple role)	S. Narayan
2003	Raja Narasimha		Muthyalu Subaiah
	Hrudayavantha		P. Vasu
2004	Kadamba		Suresh Krishna
	Apthamitra	Dr. Vijay	P. Vasu
	Sahukara		Om Prakash
	Jyeshta		Suresh Krishna
2005	Varsha		S. Narayan
	Vishnu Sena	Professor Jayasimha	Naganna
2006	Nenello Nanalle		Dinesh Baboo
	Sirivantha		S. Narayan
2007	Ekadantha		Sachin
	Maathaad Maathaadu Mallige	Hoovaiah	Nagathihalli Chandrashekar
	Ee Bandhana	Harish	Vijaylakshmi Singh
	Kshana Kshana		Sunil Kumar Desai
	Nam Yajamanaru		Nagabharana
2009	Bellary Naga	Nagamanikya	Dinesh Babu
2010	School Master	Jagannath	Dinesh Babu	Posthumous film
	Aptharakshaka	Dr. Vijay	P. Vasu	Posthumous film - Vishnuvardhan's 200th film

Filmography in other languages

Hindi

• Ek Naya Itihas
• Inspector Dhanush
• Zaalim
• Khaaki Vardi
• Ashaanth

Malayalam

• Adimai Changal
• Samarpana
• Kauravar

Tamil

• Alaigal (1973)
• Mazhalai Pattaalam (1980)
• Sri Raghavendra (1985)
• Eeti (1986)
• Vidudalai

Telugu

• Sardhar Dharmanna
• Lakshmi Nirdoshi
• Okkadu Chaalu
• Kankanam
• Paalada Bomma

Awards

Filmfare Awards South

• Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Kannada — seven times
• Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 2002

Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actor

• Naagarahaavu - 1972
• Hombisilu - 1978
• Bandhana - 1984
• Suprabatha - 1988
• Lion Jagapathi Rao - 1991
• Laali - 1998
• VerappaNayaka - 1999
• Dipaawali-2000
• Aaptha Rakshaka-2009

Other Karnataka State Film Awards

Dr. Rajkumar state Award in 2008

Other awards

• Honorary Doctorate awarded by Bangalore University in 2005
• Aragini Reader's awardo
• Cinema Express Awards
• Tarangini Berkley
• Indira Pratishtana National
• Kannada Film Fan's Association
• Kaladevi Award (Chennai)^[6]

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "Kannada film stalwart Vishnuvardhan dead". CNN-IBN. 30 December 2009. http://ibnlive.in.com/news/kannada-cinema-stalwart-vishnuvardhan-dead/107951-8.html?from=tn. Retrieved 30 December 2009. 
2. ^ ^{a b} http://popcorn.oneindia.in/artist-filmography/6677/1/vishnuvardhan.html
3. ^ State funeral for Vishnuvardhan; 40 vehicles damaged, asianetindia.com, 30 December 2009
4. ^ Vishnuvardhan's funeral to be held at Abhiman Studios, oneindia.in, 30 December 2009
5. ^ Riot hits Bangalore as Vishnuvardhan fans Mourn for his Death, Bangaloreloka.com, 30 December 2010
6. ^ http://www.vishnuvardhan.com/home.htm

• http://www.bangaloremirror.com/printarticle.aspx?page=comments&action=add&sectid=10&contentid=20091231200912310035592098c567a90&subsite=
• http://www.gandhadagudi.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=27
• http://movies.rediff.com/slide-show/2009/dec/30/slide-show-1-vishnuvardhan-passed-away.htm
• http://indianmovies-gossip.blogspot.com/2007/07/actor-by-accident.html
• http://entertainment.in.msn.com/southcinema/article.aspx?cp-documentid=3529393
• http://www.bangaloremirror.com/article/10/20100330201003300430591755f9fe6c1/A-temple-for-Vishnuvardhan.html
• http://movies.indiatimes.com/news-gossip/news/Akshay-remembers-Vishnuvardhan/articleshow/5398847.cms

External links

• An official website on VishnuVardhan

Persondata
Name	Vishnuvardhan
Alternative names	Kumar, Sampath
Short description
Date of birth	1950-9-18
Place of birth	Mysore, Karnataka
Date of death	2009-12-30
Place of death	Mysore