Sampath Kumar, 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 amongst 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 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 by CNN-News18. In 2008, a poll conducted by CNN-IBN listed Vishnuvardhan as the most popular star in the Kannada film industry.
Naagarahaavu (transl. Cobra) is a 1972 Indian Kannada-language film directed by Puttanna Kanagal, based on T. R. Subba Rao's three novels Nagarahavu, Ondu Gandu Eradu Hennu and Sarpa Mathsara, and starring Vishnuvardhan, Aarathi, K. S. Ashwath and Shubha. The supporting cast features Leelavathi, M. Jayashree, M. N. Lakshmi Devi, Ambareesh, Shivaram, Dheerendra Gopal, Lokanath and Vajramuni. The film has a musical score by Vijaya Bhaskar. Cinematography was done by Chittibabu.
Rajan–Nagendra were an Indian musical duo who were prominent composers of film music in Kannada and Telugu cinema from the late 1950s to the early 1990s. Rajan, along with his brother Nagendra, created a niche for themselves for nearly four decades. The duo scored music for about 375 films, over 200 of them in Kannada and the remainder in other languages like Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Tulu, Hindi and Sinhala. They composed innumerable hits, hundreds of melodious tunes in their career spanning four decades. They also hold the record for the longest active musical pair in the industry.
Bandhana is a 1984 Indian Kannada-language romantic drama film directed by Rajendra Singh Babu from a screenplay by H. V. Subba Rao and Rajendra Singh Babu, based on a novel of the same name by Usha Navaratnanram. The film revolves around the relationship between a surgeon, Harish and his student Nandini. The film stars Vishuvardhan as Dr. Harish and Suhasini as his protégé Nandini, along with Jai Jagadish, Roopadevi and G. K. Govinda Rao in supporting roles.
Vaishali Kasaravalli was a noted Kannada actress, television serial director, and costume designer.
Devara Gudi is a 1975 Indian Kannada-language drama film starring Vishnuvardhan and Bharathi along with Leelavathi, Manjula and Rajesh. The film was directed and edited by R. Ramamurthy and written by A. S. Prakasham
Doctor Krishna is a 1989 Indian Kannada drama film, directed and written by Phani Ramachandra. The film stars Vishnuvardhan in the title role, along with Suman Ranganathan and Tara in leading roles. The music of the film was composed by Rajan–Nagendra.
Habba (transl. Festival) is a 1999 Indian Kannada-language drama film written and directed by D. Rajendra Babu. The film has an ensemble cast including Vishnuvardhan, Ambareesh, Devaraj, Jayapradha, Urvashi, Shashikumar, Ramkumar, Vijayalakshmi, Kasthuri and Charulatha. The movie was produced by Bharathi Devi for Chinni Chitra productions. The movie became a blockbuster and ran for more than 25 weeks. The film was remade in Telugu in 2002 as Chandravamsam starring Krishna. The movie was loosely based on the Pandavas's exile episode in the Virata Parva of Mahabharata.
Kalla Kulla is a 1975 Indian Kannada-language comedy drama film, directed by K. S. R. Das and produced by Shastry Associates. The story is written by M. D. Sundar. The film stars Vishnuvardhan, Dwarakish, Bhavani and Jayalakshmi. The film was widely appreciated for its songs and story upon release. The songs composed by Rajan–Nagendra were huge hits. The movie was dubbed in Hindi as Chor Ka Bhai Chor. H.R. Bhargava was the associate director of this movie. The director remade the movie in Telugu in 1976 as Kallanum Kullanum.
Kittu Puttu is a 1977 Indian Kannada-language comedy drama film directed by C. V. Rajendran and produced by Dwarakish. The film stars Vishnuvardhan, Dwarakish, Manjula, K. Vijaya and Vaishali Kasaravalli. The film was widely appreciated for its songs and story upon release. The songs tuned by Rajan–Nagendra were huge hits.
Naa Ninna Mareyalare is a 1976 Indian Kannada-language film directed by Vijay and produced by N. Veeraswamy. The film is based on the story Naanu Neenu Jodi by A. R. Anand. The film stars Rajkumar and Lakshmi. The Rajan–Nagendra duo scored and composed the film's soundtrack.
Professor Huchuraya is a 1974 Indian Kannada-language comedy-drama film directed by M. R. Vittal and produced by actor Narasimharaju. The story is written by Narendra Babu. Besides Narasimharaju as the protagonist, the film features Vishnuvardhan, Manjula, R. Nagendra Rao and Balakrishna in prominent roles. The film was widely appreciated for its songs and story upon release. The songs tuned by Rajan–Nagendra were huge hits.
Upasane is a 1974 Kannada musical drama film, directed by Puttanna Kanagal. The film produced by Rashi brothers, is based on the novel of the same name, written by Devaki Murthy. The film mostly had women playing the lead roles, consisting of Aarathi, Leelavathi, M. N. Lakshmi Devi, G. V. Sharadha and Advani Lakshmi Devi. Dr. Govinda Mannur, K. S. Ashwath and Seetharam played the male supporting roles. Actor Seetharam was colloquially named as "Upasane" Seetharam for the rest of his career after the release of this film.
Yaarivanu is a 1984 Indian Kannada-language thriller film, directed by Dorai–Bhagavan and produced by Parvathamma Rajkumar. The film stars Rajkumar, Srinath, B. Saroja Devi, Roopa Devi, Hema Choudhary and Puneeth Rajkumar. The screenplay, dialogues and lyrics were written by Chi. Udaya Shankar and story was by M. D. Sundar. Master Lohith played a double role in the movie, though both roles never appear together onscreen. It was his second dual role movie after the 1983 movie Eradu Nakshatragalu.
Madhura Sangama is a 1978 Indian Kannada-language film, directed by T. P. Venugopal, starring Anant Nag, Radha Saluja and Ashok. The film has musical score by Rajan–Nagendra. One of the early multi-starrers of Kannada cinema. The movie had extended cameo appearances by a galaxy of stars in the Kumara Rama ballet.
Naniruvude Ninagagi is a 1979 Indian Kannada-language film, directed by A. V. Seshagiri Rao Rao and produced by R. V. Gurupada. The film stars Vishnuvardhan, Aarathi, Deepa and Balakrishna. The film has musical score by Rajan–Nagendra.
Gandharva Giri is a 1983 Indian Kannada-language film, directed by N. S. Dhananjaya (Datthu) and produced by N. S. Mukund, H. S. Chandru, Smt B. A. Anasuya and Smt Veena Nagaraj. It is based on the novel of the same name by Saisuthe. The film stars Vishnuvardhan, Aarathi, J. V. Somayajulu and Anupama. The film has musical score by Upendra Kumar.
Nanendu Nimmavane is a 1993 Indian Kannada film, directed by H. S. Phani Ramachandra and produced by Dashami Technicians. The film stars Vishnuvardhan, Srishanthi, Ramesh Bhat and Vinaya Prasad in the lead roles. The film has musical score by Rajan–Nagendra.
Marali Goodige is a 1984 Indian Kannada film directed by K. R. Shantharam. It stars Kalyan Kumar, Jai Jagadeesh, Roopa and Poornima in the lead roles. The music of the film was composed by Rajan–Nagendra. This movie is based on the novel by Smt. Aryamba Pattabhi, with the same name.
