Vishnuvardhan (actor)

Vishnuvardhan
File:Vishnuvardhan 2.jpg
Born	Sampath Kumar (1950-09-18)18 September 1950 Mysore, Mysore State, India
Died	30 December 2009(2009-12-30) (aged 59) Mysore, Karnataka, India
Nationality	Indian
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1972–2009
Height	5 ft 7 in (170 cm)
Spouse	Bharathi (1979-2009; his death)
Website	www.vishnuvardhan.com

Sampath Kumar (18 September 1950 – 30 December 2009), known mononymously by his screen name Vishnuvardhan (Kannada: ವಿಷ್ಣುವರ್ಧನ್) was a prominent Indian film actor. He was called The Phoenix of Indian Cinema. He has acted in over 220 films including 200 Kannada, five Hindi, five Telugu, nine Malayalam and three Tamil films. He was very instrumental in shaping the Kannada identity. He adopted the name Vishnuvardhan at the insistence of Puttanna Kanagal, who directed his maiden film, Naagarahaavu that gave him the recognition of the 'angry young man of Kannada cinema'. He proved to be extremely versatile by playing variety of roles, be it the character of an Action Star or The Romantic Hero, Comedy roles or the serious ones, name it and he has done it all. He could handle all the roles with great ease.
A poll conducted in Karnataka by the very popular English News Channel CNN-IBN in 2008 revealed that 'Dr.Vishnuvardhan was the most popular star, the Kannada Film Industry has ever seen' and this was in the 36th year of Vishnu's career in the industry which proved that he rubbed shoulders with the new generation actors and still was considered as an actor who had no competition whatsoever.
A road stretching 14.5 km from Banashankari Temple to Kengeri in Bengaluru has been named after the super star and it is the Longest Road in Asian Continent to be named after a celebrity. He was a Martial Art expert and in an interview to The Hindu, he had said that it was the era of Bruce Lee and it was only Kamal Haasan and himself who had learnt Martial Arts in his generation.

Early life

Vishnuvardhan was born in Mysore to H. L. Narayanan Rao and Kamakshamma in a Kannada Brahmin family. His father was an artist, music composer and a scriptwriter who was known for his collection of musical instruments. His sister Rama was a Kathak dancer at the Mysore Palace. He had six siblings. He was educated first in Mysore's Gopalswamy School and then at Bangalore's Kannada Model High School. He attended high school and obtained a degree from National College, Basavanagudi, Bangalore.

Career

Vishnuvardhan started his career with the National Award-winning movie Vamshavruksha (1972) directed by Girish Karnad based on the novel written by S. L. Bhyrappa. His first lead role in Naagarahaavu, directed by Puttanna Kanagal and based on a novel by T. R. Subba Rao. It was the first movie in Kannada film history to complete 100 days in 3 main theatres of Bangalore. In his thirty-five-year career, he played a variety of roles in more than 220 films.

In Sahasa Simha, it was reported that he had done all his stunts himself without using any stunt-doubles.

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". Here, his co-star was Gayatri Nag.

Recognition

• 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 as the Karnataka State Dr. Vishnuvardhan Lifetime Achievement Award.
• He has appeared on postage stamps issued by the Government of India.
• The State Government has named various roads and parks in the capital city Bengaluru after him. A park in Jayanagar, Bengaluru has also been named as 'Dr.Vishnuvardhan Park'.
• The government of Karnataka has also decided to build a film city in the name of Dr.Vishnuvardhan. It will be similar to the model of Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad. Sources indicate that once the film city comes up, all Kannada films related work will be done under a single roof.
• The Karnataka Assembly also showed respect to the Star by praying for his soul to rest in peace for a minutes time and after that the election of the Speaker was held under chaotic circumstances as the Opposition parties wanted the elections to be postponed due to this shocking and unexpected incident.
• There are also various statues erected in his honour, especially in Bengaluru. A 7 feet (2.1 m) high statue in Gowri Palya on 1 March 2012, Laggere on 4 March 2012, Kengeri on 9 October 2011, KP Agrahara in Vijayanagar on 11 March 2012 and in other places of Bengaluru and Karnataka were unveiled.
• Vishnuvardhan was cremated at the Ambhimaan Studios, in the outskirts of Bengaluru on 30 Dec 2009 with full state honors. Almost all the leading politicians and actors were present there.
• A 14.3 km-long stretch of road between the Banashankari Temple and Kengeri in Bengaluru has been named after the superstar and is the longest road in the Asian continent to be named after a celebrity.
• Vishnuvardhan's fans for whom he is a Demi-god have built a temple for him naming it as "Dr.Vishnuvardhan Mandir"

Contribution to society

Vishnuvardhan started an organisation called Sneha Loka to promote harmony and to help during calamities like floods. He was heavily involved in many charitable causes, but took care not to publicise many of them. He was also known for his personal involvement in many charitable causes. He was a brand ambassador for Mysore's Vikram Hospital and took responsibility of the treatment of rural children from humble backgrounds suffering from heart ailments. He also conducted a 'padayatra' to collect funds for the flood-affected people in the northern part of the state. Vishnuvardhan and his wife Bharathi had adopted the Melukote town in Mandya district where he had dug borewells in the water-starved temple town. Many of his other charitable donations were revealed only when the beneficiaries came forward themselves and spoke about it. In January 2005, Vishnuvardhan, cricketer Syed Kirmani and Shivram participate in a Cancer Awareness Walkathon organised by Bangalore Institute of Oncology (BIO) to commemorate its 15 years of public service in Bangalore on Sunday.

Association with S. P. Balasubrahmanyam

S. P. Balasubrahmanyam is record-holder for having sung more than 45,000 songs in various Indian languages including Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, and Hindi. SPB's voice perfectly suited Vishnuvardhan and people felt it was a perfect combination. He started singing for Vishnuvardhan in the 1972 film Naagarahaavu. Balasubrahmanyam as music director, composed all the songs for Vishnuvardhan's film Sowbhagyalakshmi.vishnuwardhan never missed any of the birthdays of S. P. Balasubrahmanyam . In every film of the actor, he had to sing couple of songs and Vishnu would insist. Balasubrahmanyam has sung all the five songs in his last Kannada film. Aptharakshaka and was awarded the Best Playback Singer Filmfare Award for the song Gharane Ghara Gharane. He dedicated his award to Vishnuvardhan.. After Vishnuvardhan's death, Balasubrahmanyam paid tribute to him in musical nights and one such show happened in Bengaluru.

Other collaborations

• With Dwarakish: After a series of entry into films, Actor/Producer Dwarakish approached him with a project. Vishnu and Dwarakish acted together in several movies and the last one being Apthamithra that ran for a year. Vishnuvardhan-Dwarakish Starrer Singapoorinalli Raja Kulla was the first Kannada movie which was shot outside India. Dwarakish was the producer of these movies and the Vishnu-Dwarakish Jodi helped him establish his production unit. Their combination started in the year 1974 with the film Kalla Kulla directed by KSR Das produced by Dwarakish himself. After that, they acted together in many films like Galate Samsaara, Kittu Puttu, Singapore Nalli Raaja Kulla, Guru Shishyaru, Avala Hejje, Pedda Gedda, Indina Ramayana, Prachanda Kulla, Maduve Madu Thamashe Nodu mostly under his production. Vishnu insisted Dwarakish to direct films and henceforth Dwarakish became the director for films like Nee Bareda Kadambari, Nee thanda Kaanike starring the actor. Dwarakish, after the 1985 film Nee thanda kaanike chose to direct and produce films without the actor. He requested Vishnu to act in a film under his direction and production in 1993 film Rayaru Bandaru Mavana Manege. He tried entering politics and introducing his sons to the industry. He tried Shashikumar in a film named Hosa Kalla Hale Kulla. He was in debts and was in a situation of losing all his properties. He approached and requested him to act in his film Aaptha Mithra in 2004. Vishnu agreed and the film created records and ran for a whole year.
• With Director Bhargava: The actor's combination with Director Bhargava was very well received by the audience and hence this combination ended up doing almost 24 films together. Their combination started in the year 1979 in the film Asaadhya Aliya and after that they made films like Guru Shishyaru, Avala Hejje, Pedda Gedda, Onde Guri, Gandugali Rama, Jeevana Chakra, Karna, Krishna Nee Begane Baaro, Soubhagyalakshmi, Karunamayi, Shubha Milana, Nammora Raja, Jananayaka, Krishna Rukmini, Hrudaya Geethe, Shiva Shankar, Mathe Haadithu Kogile, Jagadeka Veera, Raajadhiraaja, Nanna Shathru, Bangarada Kalasha, Janani Janmabhoomi and more. This was a milestone in Bhargava's lifetime too.
• With Actor Suhasini Maniratnam: Vishnu-Suhasini Combination is considered as one of the best combinations of South India. Their films Bandhana directed by Rajendra Singh Babu and Suprabhatha directed by Dinesh Babu ran for a whole year in the theatres and created history. Muthina Haara, Himapatha, Hendthig Helthini, Maathaad Maathaadu Mallige, School Mater and others were the films they were seen in. This was a big break for Suhasini's career too since two out of the four film fare awards that she has won in Kannada is for films with the actor. They have been close friends from years. Suhasini was close to his family too. Suhasini, wife of India's greatest director Manirathnam, recently at a press meet in Bengaluru said she was all set to direct her first movie in Kannada. She also said that the actor and close friend Vishnu had always told her to take up direction and the actor who was never a producer had told her that he would produce the film. "People who are close to me know I have a funny side. Vishnuji was one of those people. He was also great at comedy", is what Suhasini said. She was also seen shedding tears in Bengaluru when her close friend died. In her interview with rediff.com, she said "Working with an actor like Vishnuji was such a great pleasure because it's such a learning experience. He would take great pains to get into the skin oif the characters. I learnt so much from him, especially while working in Mathaad Mathaad Mallige. There are many unforgettable moments that I would always cherish while working with him like the way he handled the comedy sequences in a film like Hendthige Helthini, or his super cool reactions in Mathaad Mathaad Mallige".
• With Actor, MP Dr.Ambareesh : Vishnu & Ambareesh debuted together in Nagarahavu under Putanna's direction. From then they both have been larger than life friends. Though Ambareesh was a villain in many films after Naagarahavu and Vishnu was already a star, their friendship remained the same and even when Ambareesh rose to fame as a hero, though they were on two parallel tracks, they never considered each other as competition and neither did they have any ego problems. When Vishnu departed in 2009, Ambarish was seen handling every bit of his close friend's funeral. From coordinating with the stars, to coordinating with the government, from shifting the body to managing crowds, he did every thing that the Police and the Government had to do. At one point he even picked up the microphone in the funeral place and shouted at a few frenzied fans and took situation into control. Ambareesh's wife and Vishnuvardhan's good friend, co-star Sumalatha Ambareesh says that she has never seen this kind of friendship in any other Industry between two actors in the peak who remained closest of closest friends throughout their life. They went on to act in Snehitara sawaal,Maha Prachandaru & Avala Hejje in the 80"s. Again they came together in Diggajaru in 2000 and this film is remembered by both their fans as their Best. It also had the memorable hit "Kuchikku, Kuchikku", a song about friendship featuring the two.
• With Actor Rajinikanth: Vishnuvardhan and rajinikanth has worked together in many movies such as Sahodarara Savaal, Kiladi Kittu, Galate Samsara, sri raghavendra, viduthalai. Paying tributes to Kannada film veteran Vishnuvardhan who had died, Tamil actor Rajinikanth said it was the late actor who encouraged him to take up initial offers in Tamil films, which subsequently paved the path for his stardom in Kollywood. Rajinikanth told reporters, “Once I got an offer from Tamil film producer and also from a Kannada producer simultaneously. I was in a dilemma, which offer to choose. It was Vishnu who advised me to take up the Tamil film offer.” “He advised me that I should achieve something there and should go there and excel,” he said. “I cannot explain the value of our friendship. Our friendship was one that could be enjoyed, not one that could be expressed in words,” said Rajinikanth. He called on Vishnuvardhan’s wife Bharati at her residence here and offered his condolences and recounted his close association with Vishnuvardhan. He also apologised for being unable to attend the funeral of his “old and dear” friend owing to his hectic schedule.

As 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" (Naagarahole)
• "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)

Dr.Vishnuvardhan's Respect towards women

Vishnu never played a role that ridiculed or passed nasty comments on women. He always selected role like ideal husband and affectionate lover, who is ever ready to sacrifice everything for the sake of his sweetheart. His performance in films such as ‘Haalunda Tavaru’, ‘Bandhana’, ‘Muthina Haara’ and ‘Ee Bandhana’ made him the favourite hero for women audience. He was very angry when director Phani Ramachandra named his teleserial ‘Dharidra Lakshmiyaru,’ a few years ago. He contacted Ramachandra, asking him to change the title of the serial or shelve it. He was guide for many heroines like Jayaprada, Suhasini and Shruthi. A lesser known fact about Vishnu was his social service which he did not like to advertise. He silently helped those who came to him in need; actors, friends or strangers. He formed a club of his friends called ‘Snehaloka’ Karaoke Club through which he not only pursued his interest in music but also social service. The members collected and donated funds during natural calamities. Vishnu sponsored 10 major cardiac surgeries at Vikram Hospital in Mysore per year.

Later years and death

On December 30, 2009, Vishnuvardhan died 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.

Fans came to pay tribute at the National College Grounds near Basavangudi, Bengaluru where his body was placed for public view. A grand procession arrangement was made to pay tribute to the actor. Both at the National College Grounds and during the procession, there were protests and acts of violence from some of the fans.

Bharathi Vishnuvardhan appealed for calm on TV and said that her late husband was a peace-loving man and that fans should allow him to rest in peace. He was cremated with full state honours.

Reactions to Vishnuvardhan's death

Bollywood actors Amitabh Bachchan and Shatrughan Sinha expressed their shock at Vishnuvardhan's death. Akshay Kumar who had worked with him in two films said “[...] he was so popular! Men, women and children came to him to be touched by him. He was like God. Newly-born babies were named after him." and called Vishnuvardhan "disciplined, focused and hard working" as well as "warm and very friendly.” Aamir Khan said that he was shocked to hear the news, and expressed his condolences to Vishnuvardhan's family

The Tamil actor Rajinikanth expressed his gratitude to Vishnuvardhan for helping him towards becoming a star, and talked about the strong friendship they had enjoyed, and the actor and politician Chiranjeevi said "The suddenness of Vishnuji's death has come as a shock. May God give his family the courage, strength and support".

Cricketer Anil Kumble said that he had watched Vishnuvardhan's films while growing up, and referred to the actor's death as "the end of an era"

Celebrity friends of the actor who flew down from neighboring states included Prakash Rai, Suhasini Maniratnam, Dr.S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Tamil actors Sarath Kumar, Raadhika Sarathkumar, and P.Vasu. Other actors including Mammooty, Mohanlal, Kamal Hassan, Dr.B Saroja Devi and politicians like B. S. Yeddyurappa, R. Ashok, H. D. Kumaraswamy, H. D. Deve Gowda, Governor of Karnataka state Hansraj Bhardwaj offered condolences

Personal life

Vishnuvardhan married actress Bharathi on February 17, 1975 in Bangalore. They have 2 children, Keerthi and Chandana. They resided in Bengaluru's Jayanagar 4th Block in their bungalow.

Filmography

The following is a list of Vishnuvardhan's films.

Year	Film	Role	Director	Notes
1972	Vamshavruksha	Prithvi	Girish Karnad	Vishnuvardhan's first film
	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
	Mane Belagida Sose		Shrikanth
	Gandhada Gudi	Anand	Vijay	Villainous role
1974	Bhootayyana Maga Ayyu	Gulla	Siddalingaiah	First Kannada film shot entirely outside the studio
	Professor Huchuraya		M. R. Vittal
	Anna Attige		M. R. Vittal
1975	Devara Gudi		R. Ramamurthy	Remake of Tamil Movie Pugutha Veedu
	Koodi Balona		M. R. Vittal
	Kalla Kulla	Mahesh (Kalla)	K. S. R. Das
	Bhagya Jyothi		K. S. L. Swamy
	Nagakanye		Rajendra Singh Babu
	Onde Roopa Eradu Guna		A. M. Samiullah	Double role
1976	Devaru Kotta Vara		R. Ramamurthy
	Hosilu Mettida Hennu		V. T. Thyagarajan
	Makkala Bhagya		K. S. L. Swamy
	Bangarada Gudi		K. S. R. Das
1977	Bayasade Banda Bhagya	Ramu	R. Ramamurthy
	Sose Tanda Soubhagya	Shekhara	A. V. Sheshgiri Rao	First CinemaScope film of Kannada
	Nagarahole		Rajendra Singh Babu
	Chinna Ninna Muddaduve		A. M. Samiullah
	Shrimanthana Magalu		A. V. Sheshgiri Rao
	Sahodarara Savaal		K. S. R. Das
	Shani Prabhava		Rathnakar-Madhu
	Galate Samsara		C. V. Rajendran
	Kittu Puttu	Kittu	C. V. Rajendran
1978	Hombisilu	Dr. Nataraj	Geetapriya
	Sandharbha		Gaurisundar
	Kiladi Kittu		Rajendra Singh 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		Rajendra Singh 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
1979	Asadhya Aliya		Bhargava
	Vijaya Vikram		V. Somashekar	Double role
	Naniruvude Ninagagi		A. V. Sheshgiri Rao
	Manini		K. S. Sethumanadhavan
	Nentaro Gantu Kallaro		A. V. Sheshgiri Rao
1980	Nanna Rosha Nooru Varusha		Joe Simon
	Rama Parushurama		Vijay
	Kalinga		V. Somashekar	Vishnuvardhan's 50th film
	Hanthakana Sanchu		B. Kishan
	Makkala Sainya		Lakshmi
	Biligiriya Banadalli		Siddalingaiah
	Simha Jodi		Joe Simon
	Rahasya Rathri		M. S. Kumar
	Bangaradha Jinke		T. S. Nagabharana
	Driver Hanumanthu		K. S. L. Swamy
1981	Mane Mane Kathe		Rajachandra
	Naaga kala Bhairava		Tiptur Raghu
	Mahaprachandaru		Joesimon
	Guru Shishyaru		H.R. Bhargava
	Snehitara Savaal		K. S. R. Das
	Avala Hejje		Bhargava
	Preetisi Nodu		Geetapriya
1982	Pedda Gedda		Bhargava	Cameo appearance
	Sahasa Simha		Joesimon
	Karmika Kallanalla		K. S. R. Das
	Oorige Upakari		Joesimon
	Jimmy Gallu	Jimmi	K. S. L. Swamy
	Suvarna Sethuve		Geetapriya
	Onde Guri		Bhargava
	Kallu Veene Nudiyithu		Tiptur Raghu
1983	Sididedda Sahodara		Joesimon	Double role
	Muthaide Bhagya		Chandrashekar Sharma
	Gandharva Giri		Dhananjaya
	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	Rajendra Singh Babu
	Huli Hejje	Soma	K. S. L. Swamy
	Chanakya		V. Somashekar
	Aaradhane		Deepak Jalraj
	Madhuve Madu Tamashe Nodu		Sathya
1985	Jeevana Chakra		Bhargava
	Karthavya	Inspector Vijay	K. S. R. Das
	Mahapurusha		Joesimon
	Veeradhi Veera		Vijay
	Nee Bareda Kadambari		Dwarakish
	Mareyada Manikya		Vijay
	Nanna Prathigne		K. S. R. Das
	Nee Thanda Kanike	Ravi	Dwarakish
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
	Malaya Marutha	Vishwanatha	Lalitha 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
	Sathyam Shivam Sundaram		K. S. R. Das	Triple role
1988	31 December		Manobala
	Olavina Aasare		K. V. Jayaram
	Nammora Raja		Bhargava
	Jananayaka		Bhargava
	Suprabhatha	Vijay Kumar	Dinesh Babu
	Krishna Rukmini		Bhargava
	Dada		P. Vasu	Double role
	Mithileya Seetheyaru		K. S. L. Swamy
1989	Ondhagi Baalu		K. S. R. Das
	Hrudaya Geethe		Bhargava
	Rudra		K. S. R. Das
	Deva	Deva	Vijay	Later remade in Tamil as Dharma Dorai, starring Rajinikanth in lead role
	Doctor Krishna	Dr. Krishna	Phani Ramachandra
1990	Shiva Shankar	Shiva/ Shankara	Bhargava	Double role
	Muthina Haara		Rajendra Singh Babu	Vishnuvardhan's 125th film
	Mathe Haditu Kogile		Bhargava
1991	Lion Jagapathi Rao		Om Sai Prakash	Dr.Vishnuvardhan won a state award Double role
	Neenu Nakkare Haalu Sakkare		Dhore-Bhagwan
	Jagadeka Veera		Bhargava
	Police Mathu Dada	Inspector Dhanush/ Vishnu Dada (Vishnu Pratap)	Thulsi-Shyam	Double role
1992	Rajadhi Raja		Bhargava
	Ravivarma		Joesimon
	Harikeya Kuri		K. S. L. Swamy
	Nanna Shatru	Ashok	Bhargava
1993	Sangharsha		Sunil Kumar Desai
	Vyshakada Dinagalu		Katte Ramachandra
	Naanendu Nimmavane		Phani Ramachandra
	Rayaru Bandaru Mavana Manege		Dwarakish	Remake of Malayalam film Chithram
	Vishnu Vijaya		Keshu
	ManiKantana Mahime		K. Shankar
1994	Nishkarsha		Sunil Kumar Desai
	Time Bomb		Joesimon
	Kunthi Putra		Vijay
	Samrat		Naganna
	Mahakshathriya		Rajendra Singh Babu
1995	Halunda Thavaru		D. Rajendra Babu
	Kiladigalu		Dwarakish	Double role
	Kona Edaithe		Bharavi
	Yamakinkara		Prabahakar
	Deerga Sumangali	Adithya	D. Rajendra Babu
	Bangarada Kalasa		Bhargava
	Thumbida Mane		Umesh
	Karulina Kudi		V. P. Sarathy
	Himapatha	Aravind	Rajendra Singh Babu
1996	Mojugara Sogasugara		Vijay	Vishnuvardhan's 150th film Double role
	Appaji		D. Rajendra Babu
	Hello Daddy		Naganna
	Karnataka Suputhra		Vijay
	Dhani		Balajisingh Babu
	Jeevanadhi		D. Rajendra Babu
	Balina Jyothi		Dwarakish
1997	Mangalasoothra		Balajisingh Babu
	Ellaranthalla Nanna Ganda		Umesh
	Shruthi Hakida Hejje		Dwarakish
	Janani Janma Bhoomi	Dr. Yeshwanth	Bhargava
	Laali		Dinesh Babu	State Award for Best Film; Vishnuvardhan received the State Award for Best Actor.
1998	Nishyabda		Dinesh Babu
	Yaare Neenu Cheluve	Vishnu (Auto driver)	D. Rajendra Babu	Remake of Kadhal Kottai Guest appearance
	Simhada Guri		M. Narayan Rao
	Hendithge Helthini		Dinesh Babu
1999	Veerappa Nayaka		S. Narayan
	Habba		D. Rajendra Babu
	Surya Vamsha	Satya Murthy and Kanaka Murthy	S. Narayan	Remake of Suryavamsam Double role
	Premotsava		Dinesh Babu
2000	Soorappa		Naganna	Vishnuvardhan's 175th film, Remake of Marumalarchi
	Deepavali		Dinesh Babu
	Nanna Hendthi Chennagiddale		Dinesh Babu
	Yejamana	Shankara / Ganesha	Seshadri and Radha Bharathi	Remake of Vaanathaipola Double role
2001	Diggajaru	Dodda / Chikka	D. Rajendra Babu	Remake of Tamil film Natpukkaga Double role
	Kotigobba	Nanjunda (Auto driver)/ Jayasimha (Underworld Don)	Naganna	Remake of Tamil movie Baashha (1995)
2002	Parva	Sagar	Sunil Kumar Desai
	Jamindaru	Bettappa and Biligiri	S. Narayan	Double role
	Simhadriya Simha		S. Narayan	Remake of Tamil film Nattamai Triple role
2003	Raja Narasimha	Raja Narasimha	Muthyalu Subaiah
	Hrudayavantha		P. Vasu
2004	Kadamba	Madhukeshwar Kadamba	Suresh Krishna
	Apthamitra	Dr. Vijay	P. Vasu	Remake of Malayalam film Manichitrathazhu Later remade in Tamil as Chandramukhi, starring Rajinikanth in lead role
	Sahukara		Om Prakash	Remake of Tamil film Mutthu
	'Jyeshtha		Suresh Krishna	Remake of Malayalam film Valliettan
2005	Varsha		S. Narayan	Remake of Malayalam film Hitler
	Vishnu Sena	Professor Jayasimha	Naganna	Remake of Tamil film Ramana
2006	Neenello Naanalle		Dinesh Baboo	Remake of Telugu film Nuvvostanante Nenoddantana
	Sirivantha		S. Narayan	Remake of Telugu film Aa naluguru
2007	Ekadantha	Vijay	Sachin
	No 73, Shanthi Nivasa		Sudeep	Guest appearance
	Maathaad Maathaadu Mallige	Hoovaiah	Nagathihalli Chandrashekar
	Ee Bandhana	Harish Raj	Vijayalakshmi Singh
	Kshana Kshana	DCP Vishnu	Sunil Kumar Desai	Special appearance
2009	Nam Yajamanru	Shashank	T. S. Nagabharana
	Bellary Naga	Nagamanikya	Dinesh Babu	Remake of Malayalam film Rajamanikyam
2010	School Master	Jagannath	Dinesh Babu	Posthumous film
	Aptharakshaka	Dr. Vijay	P. Vasu	Posthumous film – Vishnuvardhan's 200th Kannada film

Filmography in other languages

Hindi

• Ek Naya Itihas (1984)
• Inspector Dhanush (1991)
• Khaaki Vardi
• Ashaant (1993)
• Zaalim (1994)
• Bada Beta (2006)

Malayalam

• Adima Changala (1981)
• Samarppanam (1987)
• Kauravar (1992) .... Haridas

Tamil

• Alaigal (1973)
• Mazhalai Pattaalam (1980)
• Sri Raghavendra (1985)
• Eeti (1985)
• Viduthalai (1986)
• Paruva Ragam (1987)
• Marudhanayagam (1997)- Movie with Kamal Hassan that is yet to be released.

Telugu

• Okkadu Chaalu (1996)
• Pillade Bomma
• Sardar Dharmanna
• Kankanam
• Muggu Kathanayakalu
• Lakshmi Nirdushi

Awards

Filmfare Awards South

Filmfare Award for Best Kannada Actor 7 times:

• Bandhana - 1984
• Suprabhata - 1988
• Muthina Haara - 1990
• Nishkarsha - 1994
• Yajamana - 2000
• Apthamitra - 2004
• Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award - 2002.

Karnataka State Film Awards

Karnataka State Film Awards for the Best Actor Category: Eight Times

• Naagarahaavu – 1972
• Hombisilu – 1982
• Bandhana – 1984
• Suprabhata – 1988
• Lion Jagapathi Rao – 1991
• Laali – 1997
• Veerappa Nayaka – 1998
• Aaptha Rakshaka – 2009 (Posthumously)
• Lifetime achievement Award Dr. Rajkumar State Award - 2008

Other awards

• Honorary Doctorate awarded by Bangalore University in 2005
• Aragini Reader's Award
• Cinema Express Awards
• Suvarna Lifetime Achievement Award for Contribution To Kannada Cinema 2008
• Tarangini Berkley Award
• Indira Pratishtana National Award
• Kaladevi Award (Chennai)
• Suvarna Film Award for Favorite Hero 2011
• Madras Films Association Award
• Kerala Cultural And Art Award
• Rajyotsava Award
• R.N.R Award
• Videocon Suprabhata Film Viewers Award

External links

• Vishnuvardhan at IMDb
• Vishnuvardhan: The silent superstar
• Muralidhara Khajane, The Hindu : Kartanaka / Mysore News: Spiritualism gave him solace
• An official website on VishnuVardhan