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Thousands bid farewell to Vishnuvardhan
Bangalore, Dec 30 (Agencies):
Thousands of people bid a tearful farewell today evening to Kannada film superstar Vishnuvardhan who died early in the morning following a heart attack.
The 60-year-old actor, who brilliantly essayed varied roles - an angry young man to venerable family head, was given a state funeral, attended by family members, political leaders, film personalities and tens of thousands of fans.
Vishnuvardhan, born in Mysore as Narayana Rao Sampath Kumar, died in his birthplace, about 140 km from here, ending an era in Kannada film industry.
He leaves behind actress wife Bharati and two daughters Keerthi and Chandana.
A state police contingent gave a three-gun salute and reversed arms as a bugle sounded the last post at Abhiman Studios, the cremation site in south Bangalore, where a memorial would be built.
Bharati, her two daughters, Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, several cabinet ministers, Bangalore South Lok Sabha member H.N. Ananth Kumar, and a number of actors were among the thousands present.
The last rites were performed by Vishnuvardhan's elder brother Ravi.
Yeddyurappa granted Rs.10 crore, besides two acres at the Abhiman Studios, and said the memorial would be built in consultation with the actor's family members.
Despite an appeal by Bharathi to her husband's fans to maintain peace, several of them tried to break the cordon for a last glimpse of their idol at the National College Grounds where the body was kept for public to pay respects.
Police cane charged and burst tear gas shells to control the surging crowds. At several places across the city, buses were stoned. City transport authorities said window panes of around 40 buses were damaged.
All cinema halls in the state cancelled film shows for the day and shops, eating houses and other commercial establishments in Bangalore and other places were shut as a mark of respect to the departed actor.
The government declared holiday for schools and colleges in the state Wednesday.
Vishnuvardhan started his film career with a role in noted playwright and Jnanpith awardee Girish Karnad directed "Vamshavruksha" in 1972.
He became a darling of Kannada film lovers with a superb performance as a wayward young man Ramachari in the film "Nagarahaavu" in 1973.
With a trade mark smirk and slightly bent gait, he established himself as an actor who could keep the producers' cash box jingling.
Affectionately called 'Sahasa Simha' by millions of his fans, Vishnuvardhan was the most popular actor in the Kannada film industry after thespian and Dada Saheb Phalke awardee Raj Kumar who passed away in April 2006.
Besides "Nagarahaavu", other hit films of Vishnuvardhan were "Aaptha Mithra", "Bandhana", "Suprabhatha", "Laali", "Muththina Haara" and "Maathaad Maathaad Mallige".
He acted in 199 films. Two of them - "Aaptha Rakshaka" and "School Master" - will be released shortly.
Vishnuvardhan won many prestigious awards including seven best state actor awards and five Filmfare awards.
He has also acted in Hindi, Malayalam and Telugu movies.
Milestones in Dr Vishnuvardhan's life:
Born - Sept 18, 1950
Original name - H N Sampath Kumar; Puttanna Kangal named him Vishnuvardhan
* Entered film industry 1972 with Vamshavriksha, directed by Girish Karnad
* Emerged as hero in 'Nagarahavu', directed by Puttanna Kanagal - 1972
* Married actress Bharati - 1975 * Won best actor award 7 times and five South India Filmfare awards
* Bangalore University honoured him with honorary doctorate in 2005
* He acted in 200 movies. Some of them are: * Nagarahole - 1977 * Singapurinalli Raja Kulla - 1978 * Guru Sishyaru - 1981 * Gandugali Rama - 1983 * Bandhana - 1984 * Nee Bareda Kadambari - 1985 * Krishna Rukmini - 1988 * Dr Krishna - 1989 * Mutthina Hara - 1990 * Nishkarsha - 1994 * Jeevanadi - 1996 * Habba - 1999 * Yajamana - 2000 * Kotigobba - 2001 * Parva - 2002 * Sirivantha - 2006 * Maathad Maathad Mallige - 2007 * Ee Bandhana - 2007 * Bellary Naga - 2009 * Master - To be released * Aptarakshaka - To be released.
I am ardent fan of Sahasa Simha, I have grown-up watching his movies, I still cant believe he is not there anymore, I cannot express my feelings in words, Vishnu.. "You are just one gentleman to be admired by millions. I am one among millions who will miss you!
Let your soul rest in peace, dear kumar alias vishnu...
By: Dr Rangaesh Gadasalli
On: 31 Dec 2009 01:51 am
This is just unbelievable and shocking. fate has stolen a kannada gem from the state of karnataka most cruelly.People who saw Nagarahhavu had recognised this angry rebellious actor. But no body could imagine that this young man will be a super hero, jubilee hero the same way as Dr Rajkumar,the doyen of the Kannada Movie industry. Srinath, Ambarish, Ananth Nag all talented actors came at the same time as Vishnu vardhan but none reached the heights of popularity of Vishnu the sahasa simha. He was worshipped by all the workers, all the kannada language fans. With his multi talented, outstanding image, he has built a place in the hearts of crores of Kannadigas all over. This place in the movie industry is hard to fill.Let us all wish mrs Bharathi and family strenghth to bear the unbearable loss. MAY GOD REST HIS SOUL IN PEACE.
long live Vishnuvardhan, long live sahasa simha.
Dr Rangaesh Gadasalli
x President Karnataka cultural association of southern CA. Los Angeles. USA
This is a great lose to Kannada culture and their way of living a peaceful life.This sudden demise of great actor shows how the kannadigas around Bangalore and Mysore stressed out due to govt corruption etc.
You will be dearly missed. The Kannada film industry has lost a genuinely talented actor.
Hope your blessings will bring the much needed talent back into the Kannada film industry.
A self composed poetry as a tribute dear Vishni Vardhan. May god rest his soul in peace and give strength to his family to come out of this shock
anta mein hakeekat ek sannata hi to hai..
tumko dekhe hai ham kayee baar..
hass liye bhi aur ro liye bhi...
kya khoye kya paaye is khel mein....
tu tu mai mai ke is duniya mein
anta mein hakeekat ek sannata hi to hai..
aaj ham yahaan hai..kal kahaan?
kis roop mein..kis besh mein...?
ham mehmaan banenge yamraaj ke..
apni kab bari aayegi yeh kisko maalum
anta mein hakeekat ek sannata hi to hai..
tum jo aaj gaye..yeh duniya hai rothi...
tum ko khone ka gam kayi dilon ko hoti
par asmanjas mein aaj hai ham...
apne baad hai koyi ashru jo behati..
anta mein hakeekat ek sannata hi to hai..
jao dost aaj tum jao...
milna likha hai tho ham phir milenge...
ek naye avataar mein...ek naye manch par...
tab bhi dekhenge tumhe aur chahenge tumhe...
par aaj ki hakeekat...dil mein ek sannata hi hai...
We will miss you Sahasasimha!!
He is the first actor in my life whose passing caused a grief in me. I grew up watching his films and cherish his songs. His place can never be filled.
Vishnuvardhan will certainly be missed by kannadigas and the kannada film industry. He was an actor with a difference. He played meaning ful roles that were relevant to contemporary Indian social ethos. He also evolved with times and was relevant even as he donned on different roles. While his acting was brilliant, it was his concern for the community that was also noteworthy. It is very sad that he died @59 years. I did grow up watching many of his movies and will certainly miss him. May his soul rest in peace.
We have lost great actor at this young age, he should be mourned and it is sad. My condolence to this family and karnataka film industry. Indeed we have lost Ramachari in Nagarahavu. However State funeral at the expense of Tax payer is unaccounted for. Where does this stop and who gets to decide if it state funeral or not-these political leader.
Vishunwardhan was agreat actor and his death is mourned by his followers. However, what is strange is the way the mourners express their grief: vandalizing and destroying public property, buses etc. and forcing schools,and offices to close.Do they realize how much iconvenience and loss it causes to the people. Few years ago another actor (Rajkumar) died and it was the same kind of behaviour. The same kind of behavior was witnessed in neighboring Andhra Pradesh when YSR died in a helicopter crash. Burning buses, destroying property, stopping traffic and even committing suicide. This kind of expression of grief seems to be typical of Andhra and Karnataka, particularly when a movies star dies. Some one should make a study of the psyche of the people of these states. When your father or mother dies there is no such behaviour. It is quiet normal mourning. I am wondering. Would some one enlighten me on this.
That happens certainly. Those things are least in Karnataka compare to north and other regions. No need to study us. There was huge crowd and that lead to a bit of violence. We the people always think about public property. We know how much it cost on each citizen of the country if we spoil/destroy some public property. Idiots those who arrive here (Karnataka/Bangalore) spoiling our name. I was there for funeral and we were calm. Those (from outside of bangalore) simply standing aside of the place threw stones at police from a long distance. Idiots spoiled our time and we missed a chance to have a glimpse at our fav actor.
Better you first consult a psychiatrist and get well soon.. i mean be normal. Idiot....
It is indeed a very sad news to have lost one of our senior versatile actors of our kannada film industry.May our dearest Vishnu(lodde as we called him as kids), rest in peace.
On behalf of all your fans in the U.S
Very sad. We were watching Rambo when my son informed me the news about his death. we immediately stopped watching the film and tuned to kannada channels on internet and watched the proceedings till 1 am.
59 is a very very young age to die.
There we have his colleagues in film land who are womanizers, boozers and smokers to core still going strong while a man who had such clean habits and a fitness fanatic and gem of a heart should have died due to heart attack!!!!! what a mockery of clean life.May his soul rest in peace. Our family misses you very much.
This is great loss to karnataka and Kannada movies,I have personally met him in Vikram Hosiptal in mysore and have watched all his movies till date 2007.This is shock for me.I reside in Toronto,Vishnu is one actor,who is very personal and grown up watching his movies and copying his styles...He is The Real Simha....God Bless his soul.....My family misses you.
Really it was a shocking news.It is a great loss to kannada film industry. I liked all his movies and most favourite is Bandhana.
MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE.
The sad & untimely death of Dr. Vishnuvardhan is so shocking. It is indeed a big vacuum for the kannada film industry, which can never ever be filled. It is the passing of an era. He is a great Hero off the screen as well. He is so humble and genuine - a human being of a very high caliber. May his soul rest in perfect peace. May the Almighty God give strength to the bereaved family.
Really shocking news. We have lost one of the brightest star in sandalwood.Dr.Vishnu was the "Sylvester Stallone" of kannada film world. There can be no one who can match this flexible actor.I pray god to give his family strength to bear with this unexpected loss.
Its really shocking and unbelievable news for us. We already lost a legend earlier Dr.Raj Kumar and now we lost one more legend of Kannada film Industry. He was a versatile actor, we all enjoyed his movies. The last movie I saw was Bandhana. I met him in St.Philomenas college in 1975 with wife during a movie shooting. I pray god to rest his soul in peace and give us courage to bear this great and unexpected loss.
This news came to me as really shocking and still feeling very sad,in office and not able to see his face atleast in TV felt bad as we wished him to give us more movies, he is just 59, its really a gr8 loss for all of us, a real gentleman and a humble person, Let God rest his soul in peace,God bless his family,loss for kannada film industry, hope to see more good actots like him in future,a very sad demise, he will always be remembered by me, have seen most of all his films starting from Nagarahavu..wonderful actor and a good human being
Break News for Indians and Shocking news for all kannadigaas. Cause the kannada film industry lost a legend. He is the Master of all new comers who has entered into the film industry. I pray may your soul rest in peace. If you are not here with us but your breath is always with us.. Proud to salute your records "JaiHind"
shocking news. we who grew with his movies for the last 30 plus years have really lost a major part of our growing years and a major part of us. It is like loosing a part of your body.A very versatile actor who was comfortable in super hero part and also mythological characters, it going to be very hard or even impossible to replace him. He with Dr. Raj Kumar were like the two eyes of the Kannada Film Industry.I feel lost when a great cultural idol like vishnuvardhan is lost.Sahasasimha we really loose you. May your soul rest in peace.
With the demise of popular Kannada actor Vishnuvardhan, Kannada film world has lost one of its finest actors and a very good cultured person.He was admired by all for his highly talented acting skills, to name few of his hits are Bandhana, Hombisilu, Suryavamsha, Yajamana, Apthamithra etc. He was the receipient of may awards including Rajyothsawa, filmfare for six times. A vaccum has been created in Kannada film world with the demise of its two sons, Rajkumar earlier and Vishnuji now. He was fit into any kind of roles ranging from historic to social charecters. His main dream of acting in the role of Madakari Nayaka was not fulfilled. Let the sole of our beloved actor rest in peace. Jai Karnataka.
A great actor & best human being, may God rest his soul in peace and saber to his family members. He is remembered for ever and he will be in our hearts always.
A precious life has been lost in the sad demise of Mr. Vishnuvardhan, a popular hero of Kannada film industry, due to sudden cardiac arrest. Sudden cardiac arrest can occur to people of any age or sex. Today there are sophisticated medical equipments that can predict if a person will have heart attack in the near future. One such equipment that has been introduced in the world for the first time is the revolutionary 128 Slice Heart CT Scanner, which can tell if a person will have a heart attack in the near future. The test takes only five seconds. Every person who is vulnerable to heart attack will benefit from this test, viz. those aged 30 and above, those who smoke, those who are diabetic, those who have high blood cholesterol, those whose BP is more than 140/90, thoser who have sedentary habits, those who are obese and who weight more than 80 kgs, those who eat non-vegetarian items, those who are under tension and have stress at work and those who have family history of heart attack or stroke. By taking appropriate preventive steps, medicines and life style modifiations, one can prevent heart attacks. K.G. Hospital, Coimbatore ( is the first hospital in Asia which has installed the 128 Slice Heart CT Scanner. People who have strong doubts that they may be susceptible to heart attack should take such a test and thus avoid heart attacks. It may be of interest to the readers of Deccan Herald that over 1000 people got benefited from this equipment.
Very Sad Day for Karnataka,
VishnuVardhan, was wonderful human being is no more with us. And we lost Melody voice of Ashwath. We lost both the stars.. Sahasasimha Vishnuwardhan will be remembered for his style look.
The sudden death of Vishnuvardhan has been a very shocking news! May his soul rest in peace.
Really a loss to Kannada Film Industry. He was really a thorough gentleman.
Greatest shock and grief to all kannadigas, one valuable pearl remaining has vanished leaving the memories in millions of hearts, we salute the greatest actor of kannada and also a greatest human being for his charity and spirituality, Dr.Vishnu must be remembered ever with his name being kept for public properties and an idol must be unveiled in the heart of the city for his everlasting rememberence.
This was a very shocking news to me when I got to hear about. A Very big loss to Kannadigas. We all grew up watching movies of these great actors and we are loosing these stars year after year :(
May his soul rest in peace.
