Vishnuvardhan, celebrated as the “Sahasa Simha” (brave lion) of the Kannada film industry by his fans, was a versatile actor known for the wide range of roles he played. On his 75th birth anniversary, here’s a look back at the actor’s life through images from The Hindu’s archives.
Photo:
BHAGYA PRAKASH
Kannada film actor Vishnuvardhan in Bengaluru on May 08, 2007.
Photo:
The Hindu archives
Playback singers P.B. Srinivas and P. Susheela, along with actor Vishnuvardhan, producer Veeraswamy, director Puttanna Kanagal and music Director Vijaya Bhaskar
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HANDOUT E MAIL
Veteran fillm director Vijay Reddy with actors N.T. Ramarao, Rajkumar and Vishnuvardhan.
A still from Vishnuvardhan’s blockbuster hit, ‘Nagarahaavu’.
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SREENIVASA MURTHY V
(From L-R) Actor Vishnuvardhan, former Indian cricketers Kapil Dev and Venkatesh Prasad seen with woman golfer Shruti Khanna at the Vision India-Airtel Celebrity Golf press conference in Bangalore on April 8, 2005.
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BHAGYA PRAKASH
Kannada actors Ambarish and Vishnuvardhan, playing a match during the WTA Bangalore Open Tennis Championship at KSLTA Stadium on February 17, 2006.
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SREENIVASA MURTHY V
Actor Vishnuvardhan with Salumarada Thimmakka.
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SREENIVASA MURTHY V
Vishnuvardhan (L) with noted writer U. R. Anantha Murthy (C) and actor Shivaram before the inauguration of ‘BALAGA’ an association of film scribes at Bengaluru in 2003.
Photo:
SRIRAM MA
Vishnuvardhan and Jayaprada shooting for their film ‘E-Bandhana’ at a house in Vontikoppal in Mysuru on July 13, 2007.
Vishnuvardhan at an audio launch event with actors Sudeep and Upendra.
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SAMPATH KUMAR GP
Actors Vishnuvardhan and Bharathi (his wife) at the launch of a designer sari brand, in Bengaluru in August 2009.
Photo:
BHAGYA PRAKASH
Actor Rajinikanth and Vishnuvardhan at the 75th year celebrations of Kannada cinema.
Photo:
HANDOUT E MAIL
Vishnuvardhan with singer Manna Dey.
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Spl arrangment
Actors Vishnuvardhan, Rajkumar and Ambarish, considered the mighty triumvirate of Kannada cinema.
Fans of Dr. Vishnuvardhan gathered at Samadhi to celebrating his birthday in 2015.
Photo:
MURALI KUMAR K
People thronging the samadhi of actor Vishnuvardhan at Abhiman Studio on Uttarahalli-Kengeri Road, in Bengaluru on September 08, 2013.
Published – September 18, 2025 11:57 am IST
