Sampath Kumar (18 September 1950 – 30 December 2009), known by his stage name Vishnuvardhan, was an Indian actor predominantly in Kannada cinema.[2] He is regarded as one of the popular cultural icon of Karnataka. Vishnuvardhan is often referred to as Sahasa Simha and The Angry Young Man of Kannada Cinema.[3] He appeared in more than 220 films all together in Kannada, Hindi, Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu.[4] He was called The Phoenix of Indian Cinema.[5][6][7] He made his debut in the 1972 National Award winning film, Vamsha Vriksha, in a supporting role. The same year he played the lead role in Puttanna Kanagal's Naagarahaavu which was his breakthrough and he had won Filmfare Special Jury Award (Filmfare Special Award – South).[8][9][10] He won Karnataka State Film Awards & Filmfare Awards South for best performance.[11]
Vishnuvardhan | |
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Born | Sampath Kumar (1950-09-18)18 September 1950 |
Died | 30 December 2009(2009-12-30) (aged 59)[1] Mysore, Karnataka, India |
Occupation | Actor and singer |
Years active | 1972–2009 |
Spouse | |
Children | 2 |
Relatives | Aniruddha Jatkar (son-in-law) |
Awards |
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In 2008, a poll conducted by CNN-IBN listed Vishnuvardhan as the most popular star in the Kannada film industry.[12] A road stretching 14.5 kilometers (9.0 miles) from Banashankari Temple to Kengeri in Bangalore was named after him. It is the longest road in India to be named after an actor.[13][14] In an interview with 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.[15] He was also the story writer of the 1997 movie Ganesha I Love You directed by Phani Ramachandra.
Vishnuvardhan was born in Mysore to H. L. Narayana Rao and Kamakshamma.[16] His father was an artist, music composer and a screenwriter who was known for his collection of musical instruments and had written the story, screenplay, dialogues and lyrics for the 1962 Kannada movie Vidhivilasa.[17] He had six siblings. His sister Rama was a Kathak dancer at the Mysore Palace, and brother Ravi was a child actor who appeared in the 1955 Tamil language - Kannada bilingual film Modala Thedi.[18] Vishnuvardhan 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.[19][20]
Vishnuvardhan married actress Bharathi on 17 February 1975 in Bangalore. They have two adopted daughters, Keerthi and Chandana. Actor Aniruddha Jatkar is his son in law.[21]
This section needs additional citations for verification. (November 2020) |
In his 37-year career, he played a variety of roles in more than 200 films.[22] Vishnuvardhan started his career with the National Award-winning movie Vamshavruksha (1972) directed by Girish Karnad based on the novel by S. L. Bhyrappa. His first lead role was in Naagarahaavu, directed by Puttanna Kanagal and based on a trilogy by T. R. Subba Rao. Next he appeared along with Rajkumar in Gandhada Gudi. Released in 1973, it was the highest-grossing Kannada movie of the year. In 1974 he appeared in Bhootayyana Maga Ayyu which also went on to break box-office records. In 1977, he appeared in many Kannada movies of which three were with Rajinikanth who was then a budding star - Sahodarara Savaal, Kiladi Kittu and Galate Samsara. In 1978, Vishnuvardhan appeared in the hit romantic drama Hombisilu and his role of a doctor fetched him his first Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actor. He also acted in Kiladi Jodi with Srinath and Lakshmi. During the 70s Vishnuvardhan formed a successful pair with not only his actress wife Bharathi, but also the two top actresses of the decade - Aarathi and Manjula.
In 1982, the Joe Simon directed Sahasa Simha became a blockbuster and bestowed the title of Sahasa Simha on him. In 1984 he debuted in Bollywood with Ek Naya Itihas opposite Hema Malini. In the same year, Bandhana, where he appeared with Suhasini Maniratnam had him play a doctor again but as a dejected lover. The film was not only a blockbuster but also fetched him his second Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actor and became another turning point in his career. In 1985, he appeared with Rajinikanth in the Tamil film Sri Raghavendrar and the next year in the multi-starrer Viduthalai co-starring Sivaji Ganesan as well. A number of his films in the 1980s like Onde Guri, Nee Bareda Kadambari, Jeevana Chakra, Khaidi, Suprabhaata, Deva and Hrudaya Geethe were successful at the box-office. Malaya Marutha in which he played a classical singer got him a lot of critical acclaim.
In 1990, Muthina Haara - the National award winning film ( 38th National Film Awards ) directed by S.V. Rajendra Singh Babu (who had earlier given him the blockbuster Bandhana) got him rave reviews but was an average grosser at the box office, while Mathe Haaditu Kogile where he costarred with Anant Nag for the first time became a super hit. In 1991,he appeared in a double role in Lion Jagapathi Rao for which he received yet his third Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actor. In 1992 he appeared in the National award winning film Harakeya Kuri directed by K. S. L. Swamy[23] He made his debut in Malayalam cinema in 1981 with Adima Changala, Again in 1992 appeared in a Malayalam movie Kauravar, starring Mammootty in the lead role. The film was a commercial success and his performance in the film was critically acclaimed. Halunda Tavaru which released in 1994 was a blockbuster. In 1994, he once again forayed into Hindi cinema appearing in the Hindi-Kannada bilingual Vishnu Vijaya (titled Ashaant in Hindi) and Zaalim along with then rising star Akshay Kumar. Other significant movies in the late 1990s include Surya Vamsha, Habba and Laali. During this time, while he acted with almost all the notable actresses of the South industry, he formed the most successful pair with Madhavi, Bhavya, Suhasini, Rupini and Sithara.
In 2000 Yajamana was a huge box office success and became the all-time highest grossing Kannada movie. His other big hit that year was Soorappa. Over the next few years Vishnuvardhan continued to give more successful films like Kotigobba, Simhadriya Simha, Jamindaru, Diggajaru, Kadamba and most importantly Apthamitra which turned out to be the last film of Soundarya who costarred with him. In 2007, Ee Bandhana costarring Jayaprada directed by actress Vijayalakshmi Singh, and Maathaad Maathaadu Mallige directed by Nagathihalli Chandrashekhar co-starring Sudeepa(actor),got him a lot of acclaim for portraying him in age appropriate roles. He appeared in Neenello Naanalle with his son-in-law Aniruddha Jatkar and popular actress Rakshita. In 2009 Bellary Naga was his last movie to release before his death. Aptharakshaka (2010) which released posthumously became a huge blockbuster.
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.[24][25][26]
Vishnuvardhan started an organisation called Sneha Loka to promote harmony and to help during calamities like floods.[27] He 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 and spoke about it.[27] In January 2005, Vishnuvardhan, cricketer Syed Kirmani and Shivram participated in a Cancer Awareness Walkathon organised by Bangalore Institute of Oncology (BIO) to commemorate its 15 years of public service in Bangalore.[28]
SPB started singing for Vishnuvardhan in the 1972 film Naagarahaavu.[29] Balasubrahmanyam as music director, composed all the songs for Vishnuvardhan's Sowbhagyalakshmi. 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.
Vishnuvardhan's pairing with director H.R. Bhargava is considered one of the best pairings of Kannada film industry. His first film with H.R. Bhargava was Asaadhya Aliya which was successful. He has a total of 23 films with H.R. Bhargava. To name a few are Guru Sishyaru, Jeevana Chakra, Karunamayi, Jana Naayaka, Hrudaya Geethe, Karna, Mathe Haditu Kogile, Onde Guri, Krishna Nee Begane Baaro, Shiva Shankar, Bangarada Kalasa.
Vishnuvardan's pair with actress Suhasini Maniratnam was one of the most lovable pairs in Karnataka.
Bhat has acted in more than 75 films with Vishnuvardhan.
In his later part of career, Vishnuvardan's pair with actress Prema was also successful. Their films include Ellaranthalla Nanna Ganda,Yajamana, Apthamithra
He started singing in movies occasionally and later went on to sing devotional songs for albums. The first song he sang was in the movie Nagarahole and he has recorded some duet songs with the notable legendary singers S. Janaki, Bangalore Latha, Vani Jairam and P. Susheela. 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.[30][31][32][33]
Some of his renderings are:
Song | Movie | Co-singer | Lyrics | Music |
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"Ee Notake Mai Maatake" | Nagarahole | Bharathi Vishnuvardhan | Chi. Udaya Shankar | |
"Madilalli Maguvaagi Naanu" | Kiladi Kittu | P Susheela | R N Jayagopal | |
"Shashiya Kandu Moda Helithu" | Siritanakke Savaal | Kunigal Nagabhushan | ||
"Aasegala Thottilidu" | Hanthakana Sanchu | Vani Jayaram, Kasthuri Shankar | R N Jayagopal | |
"Naguvude Swarga" | Naga Kala Bhairava | S Janaki | Chi. Udaya Shankar | |
"Hegiddaroo Neene Chenna" | Sahasa Simha | Renuka | Chi. Udaya Shankar | |
"Thutthu Anna Thinnoke" | Jimmy Gallu | Chi. Udaya Shankar | ||
"Hennu Kannina Sanchalli" | Kallu Veene Nudiyithu | Vani Jayaram | R N Jayagopal | |
"Olavina Jodi" | Kallu Veene Nudiyithu | Vijaya Narasimha | ||
"Eke Eke Karanava Heluveya" | Matthe Vasantha | Chi. Udaya Shankar | ||
"Beda Annoru Unte" | Sididedda Sahodara | S Janaki | Chi. Udaya Shankar | |
"Vayyari Nee Heege" | Gandugali Rama | Vani Jayaram | Chi. Udaya Shankar | |
"Savi Mathanu Aadeya" | Chinnadantha Maga | S Janaki | Chi. Udaya Shankar | |
"Kannalli Nee Bandu" | Simha Gharjane | S Janaki | ||
"Cheluvina Chenniga" | Rudranaga | Bangalore Latha | R N Jayagopal | |
"Mutthe Maniye" | Khaidi | S Janaki | Chi. Udaya Shankar | |
"Anuraga Geetheyalli" | Benki Birugali | Solo | Chi. Udaya Shankar | |
"Nammoora Beedhiyalli" | Doddarange Gowda | |||
"Kandadda Kandaange" | Huli Hejje | Doddarange Gowda | ||
"Kande Nanna Olavina Hudugiya" | Maha Purusha | R N Jayagopal | ||
"Anuragaveno Aanandaveno" | Nammoora Raja | Chithra | Shyamasundar Kulkarni | |
"Kila Kila Nagutha Baaro" | Shivashankar | Manjula Gururaj, Chandrika Gururaj | Chi. Udaya Shankar | Rajan-Nagendra |
"Megha Maleyali" | Hosa Love Story | Rajkishore | ||
"Kannadave Nammamma" | Mojugara Sogasugara | Hamsalekha | Hamsalekha | |
"Onde Ondu Question" | Surya Vamsha | Baby Rithisha | Doddarange Gowda | V. Manohar |
"Abhimanigale Nanna Prana" | Vishnu Sena | K. Kalyan | Deva | |
On 30 December 2009, Vishnuvardhan died of a massive cardiac arrest at King's Court Hotel in Mysore. He was survived by his wife, Bharathi Vishnuvardhan, and their two adopted daughters, Keerthi and Chandana. He was cremated with full state honours at Abhiman studio in Bangalore.[34][35]
Best Actor - 4 Times :
Filmfare Special Award - South - 2 times:
Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award - South - 2002[37]
Cinema Express Awards :
Cinema Express Award for the Best Actor Category:
Suprabhatha (1988)
Rayaru Bandaru Mavana Manege (1993)
Yajamana (2000)
Other Awards:
Kaladevi Award (Chennai)[23]
Indira Prathishtan National Award[38][39]
Tarangini Barkley[38]
Year | Award | Film | Role |
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1972-73 | Best Actor | Naagarahaavu | Ramachari |
1977-78 | Best Actor | Hombisilu | Dr.Nataraj |
1984-85 | Best Actor | Bandhana | Dr.Harish |
1990-91 | Best Actor | Lion Jagapathi Rao | Jagapathi Rao, Kumar (Dual roles) |
1997-98 | Best Actor | Laali | Krishna |
1998-99 | Best Actor | Veerappa Nayaka | Veerappa Nayaka |
2007-08 | Dr. Rajkumar Lifetime Achievement Award | For his Lifetime Contribution | |
2009-10 | Best Actor | Aaptha Rakshaka | Dr.Vijay |
Filmfare Award for Best Kannada Actor | |
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1972–1989 |
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1990–2009 |
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2010–present |
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General | |
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National libraries | |
Other |