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 among 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. In 2008, a poll conducted by CNN-IBN listed Vishnuvardhan as the most popular star in the Kannada film industry.
Vijayalakshmi Vadlapati, better known by her stage name Silk Smitha, was an Indian actress and dancer who worked mainly in Tamil and Telugu cinema, in addition to some Malayalam, Kannada and Hindi films. She became one of India's most popular sex symbols of the 1980s and early 1990s, as well as one of the most sought-after erotic actresses in South Indian cinema in the 1980s. Smitha was a key figure in the Malayalam softcore film genre in the late 1980s.
Vitla Manohar is an Indian music director, lyricist, film director and actor in Kannada and Tulu movies. He has scored music to several Kannada and Tulu films and written lyrics as well.
Zahida Malik, better known as Veena Malik, is a Pakistani actress, TV host, reality television personality and model who has appeared in Pakistani and Bollywood films. Veena made her film debut in 2000 with Sajjad Gul's Tere Pyar Mein. In 2002, she starred in Akbar Khan's Yeh Dil Aap Ka Huwa and Sassi Punno and later played roles in female-centric films such as Koi Tujh Sa Kahan (2005) and Mohabbatan Sachiyan (2007). She was a contestant on Bigg Boss in 2010.
Sana Khan is an Indian businesswoman and former actress. She primarily worked in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu language films before retiring from the industry in 2020.
Jadalathimmanahalli Krishnappa Srinivasa Murthy, known popularly as Srinivasa Murthy, is an Indian actor and television director. He is mostly known for his work as a director having made many television series in Kannada, beginning in 2001, based on the lives of various Kannada philosophers and poets, and adaptations of the works of popular Kannada writers. As an actor, he is known for his work in Kannada cinema, appearing often in supporting roles. He began his career as a stage artiste in both professional and amateur theatre, before taking to films in 1977.
Gandugali Kumara Rama is a 2006 Indian Kannada-language biographical film based on the life of Kumara Rama, who is considered to be the warrior prince prior to the establishment of the Vijayanagara Empire. Directed by H. R. Bhargava and produced by Anitha Pattabhiram, the film threads the path of a novel written by Su. Rudramurthy Shastry. The film stars Shiva Rajkumar in dual roles with Rambha, Laya and Anita Hassanandani in pivotal roles. It was during the filming of this movie that Shivrajkumar's father and veteran actor Rajkumar died.
Koththuru Chikkarangappa Raghunath, known by his screen name Rangayana Raghu, is an Indian film and stage actor, known for his work in Kannada cinema. He is a recipient of multiple Filmfare Awards South, SIIMA Awards, and two Karnataka State Film Awards.
Kool...Sakkath Hot Maga is a 2011 Indian Kannada-language romance film starring Ganesh and Sana Khan. The film marks the directorial debut of Ganesh and Kannada acting debut of Sana Khan. His wife, Shilpa Ganesh produces this movie under the home banner 'Golden Movies'. V. Harikrishna has composed the music and a long associate, Ratnavelu works as the cameraman.
Alemari is a 2012 Indian Kannada romantic action drama film starring Yogesh and Radhika Pandit in the lead roles. The story, screenplay, lyrics and direction is by Hari Santhosh. The music of the film was composed by Arjun Janya. B. K. Srinivas has produced the venture under BK Srinivasa Productions. The film released in theatres across Karnataka on 9 March 2012. However the film is rated as an average, but the director Hari Santhosh fetched best director in Karnataka state film awards 2012–13.
Kaddipudi is a 2013 Indian Kannada language crime drama film directed by Duniya Soori and produced by M. Chandru. The screenplay was written by Soori and Rajesh Nataranga and the film stars Shiva Rajkumar as Anand alias Kaddipudi, a rowdy in Bangalore who vows to relinquish his life of crime and lead a normal life. The film also features Radhika Pandit, Rangayana Raghu, Anant Nag, Rajesh Nataranga, Balu Nagendra, Sharath Lohitashwa, Renuka Prasad and Avinash in pivotal roles.
Climax is 2013 Indian Malayalam biographical film directed by Anil Kumar and featuring Sana Khan in the lead role. Climax depicts the life of the actress Silk Smitha. The film was dubbed into Tamil titled Oru Nadigayin Diary and released on 24 May 2013 and into Telugu under the name Gajjala Gurram. But the disclaimer in the beginning states that the characters are imaginary.
Varsha is a 2005 Indian Kannada-language comedy-drama film written and directed by S. Narayan, produced by Rockline Venkatesh under the banner of Rockline Productions. It stars Vishnuvardhan in the lead role with Ramesh Aravind, Anu Prabhakar and Manya in supporting roles. The film is the remake of the 1996 blockbuster Malayalam-language film Hitler. The story centers around the life of Satyamurthy (Vishnuvardhan), known for his tough character, domineering personality and uncontrolled rage at the youngsters of the area, for stalking his five young sisters. The film features original songs composed by S. A. Rajkumar. The film was a blockbuster, running for 200 days in multiple centers across Karnataka thus becoming the highest grossing Kannada film of the year.
Dasavala is a 2013 Kannada drama film starring Prem and Iswarya Menon. The film is directed by M. S. Ramesh, and also stars Hema Choudhary, Rangayana Raghu and Avinash. Dasavala was released on 11 October 2013. Anitha Bhat featured in an item song in Dasavala. The storyline of the movie was similar to two more Kannada movies – Director's Special and Karodpathi. It was also reported that the concept of all these films could be traced back to the 1996 Spanish film Familia in which a lonely rich man hires actors to act as his family members on his birthday.
Bhoomi Thayiya Chochchala Maga is a 1998 Indian Kannada-language drama film directed and written by Rajendra Singh Babu. It features Shiva Rajkumar and Ramesh Aravind along with Vijayalakshmi and Shilpa in other pivotal roles. The film won several laurels and awards upon release including the Karnataka State Film Awards. The film featured an original score and soundtrack composed and written by V. Manohar.
Kurigalu Saar Kurigalu is a 2001 Indian Kannada-language comedy film directed and written by Rajendra Singh Babu. The film stars Ramesh Aravind, S. Narayan, Mohan, Bhavana, Ruchita Prasad, and Ananth Nag in lead roles. This is the first film in the Saar series directed by Babu and was released on 23 March 2001 and received generally positive reviews from the critics and turned out to be box-office hit.
Ganga is a 2015 Indian Kannada drama film written and directed by Sai Prakash, and produced by Ramu. The film stars Malashri in the lead role. The supporting cast features Srinivasa Murthy, Hema Chowdhary, Pavithra Lokesh, Rangayana Raghu, Suchendra Prasad, Sharath Lohitashwa. Malashri won her first Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actress for her performance in this movie.
Naveen Krishna is an Indian actor, director and writer based in Kannada Film Industry. After having starred in many films as a child actor, he made his adult debut in the film Shrirasthu Shubhamasthu (2000) and has since then acted in various films, mostly in supporting roles, in films such as Kadamba (2004), Nenapirali (2005), Dheemaku (2008) and Mathond Madhuvena (2011). His lead roles in the films, Haggada Kone (2014) and Actor (2016) won him several laurels and appreciations.
Shanoor Sana Begum also popularly known by her mononym stage name Sana is an Indian actress, television personality and model, who predominantly works in Telugu cinema. She has acted mostly in Telugu films alongside few Kannada and Tamil films. Sana has acted in over 200 films mostly in supporting roles.
