<p>Vishnuvardhan, whose real name was Sampathkumar, was born on September 18, 1950, into a family of artistes. His father H L Narayana Rao, was an artist and a script writer.<br /><br />He was christened Vishnuvardhan on his debut in the film world through Girish Karnad directed "Vamshavruksha" in 1972.<br /><br />A towering star of the Kannada celluloid world for about four decades, Vishnuvardhan attained stardom through his role "Ramachari", in 'Nagarahaavu', a film directed by one of Kannada filmland's top directors, Puttanna Kanagal, in 1973. The film also won him the best actor award.<br /><br />Vishnuvardhan, who has excelled in various roles including as comedian and village chieftan in "Simhadriya Simha", was affectionately given the title of "Sahasa Simha" (a valorous lion) by his fans.<br /><br />The actor has a huge following. <br /><br />Besides acting in 197 Kannada films,Vishnuvardhan had acted in other languagues too like "Viduthalai" and Sri Raghavendra in Tamil and "Kauravar" in Malayalam with Mammootty.<br /><br />He is also a singer and has been of late singing for albums. Among his blockbusters were "Yajamana" and "Muttinahara".<br /><br />In recognition of his contribution to the film industry, the Bangalore University conferred an honorary doctorate on Vishnuvardhan in 2005.<br /><br />Performing varied roles and enthralling his fans for 37 years, Vishnuvardhan's death has left a void in the Kannada film industry.<br /></p>
<p>Vishnuvardhan, whose real name was Sampathkumar, was born on September 18, 1950, into a family of artistes. His father H L Narayana Rao, was an artist and a script writer.<br /><br />He was christened Vishnuvardhan on his debut in the film world through Girish Karnad directed "Vamshavruksha" in 1972.<br /><br />A towering star of the Kannada celluloid world for about four decades, Vishnuvardhan attained stardom through his role "Ramachari", in 'Nagarahaavu', a film directed by one of Kannada filmland's top directors, Puttanna Kanagal, in 1973. The film also won him the best actor award.<br /><br />Vishnuvardhan, who has excelled in various roles including as comedian and village chieftan in "Simhadriya Simha", was affectionately given the title of "Sahasa Simha" (a valorous lion) by his fans.<br /><br />The actor has a huge following. <br /><br />Besides acting in 197 Kannada films,Vishnuvardhan had acted in other languagues too like "Viduthalai" and Sri Raghavendra in Tamil and "Kauravar" in Malayalam with Mammootty.<br /><br />He is also a singer and has been of late singing for albums. Among his blockbusters were "Yajamana" and "Muttinahara".<br /><br />In recognition of his contribution to the film industry, the Bangalore University conferred an honorary doctorate on Vishnuvardhan in 2005.<br /><br />Performing varied roles and enthralling his fans for 37 years, Vishnuvardhan's death has left a void in the Kannada film industry.<br /></p>
