Vishnuvardhan, whose 75th birth anniversary falls on Thursday, is celebrated as the “Sahasa Simha” (brave lion) of the Kannada film industry by his fans. The moniker, however, does not quite capture the wide range of roles he played.
His last few movies, before his death in 2009, prove that his talent was not on the wane. However, directors with a lack of imagination wrote for him the typical kind-hearted, sacrificial-saviour type of roles.
Veteran stars such as Mammootty and Mohanlal in Malayalam, Rajinikanth in Tamil, and Amitabh Bachchan in Hindi have dared to experiment in the fag end of their careers. Likewise, ardent fans of Vishnuvardhan, who are fighting to establish a memorial for their favourite star in Bengaluru, would have loved to see him in never-before-seen characters.
Vision of new-gen
Kannada new-gen filmmakers say imagining Vishnuvardhan in unique roles is irresistible and exciting. Shashank Soghal, who made the entertaining college drama Daredful Musthafa (2023), would have loved to have cast him as the protagonist who celebrates the legacy of Chitradurga. His concept feels like a hat-tip to Vishnuvardhan’s iconic 1972 Naagarahaavu.
“I feel an adaptation of the novel Durgaastamana by TaRaSu with Vishnu sir as the lead is an exciting concept. His love for Mysuru and Chitradurga is well-known. He also starred in several literary adaptations,” Shashank told The Hindu. “Vishnu sir looked very striking even in his late 50s, especially in Nagathihalli Chandrashekar’s Maathaad Maathadu Mallige (2007). Had been amidst us today, filmmakers may have seen him as a stylish yet complex antagonist on screen.”
75 years of Vishnuvardhan | A life in images
Kannada film actor Vishnuvardhan in Bengaluru on May 08, 2007.
Playback singers P.B. Srinivas and P. Susheela, along with actor Vishnuvardhan, producer Veeraswamy, director Puttanna Kanagal and music Director Vijaya Bhaskar
Veteran fillm director Vijay Reddy with actors N.T. Ramarao, Rajkumar and Vishnuvardhan.
A still from Vishnuvardhan’s blockbuster hit, ‘Nagarahaavu’.
(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.
Kannada actors Ambarish and Vishnuvardhan, playing a match during the WTA Bangalore Open Tennis Championship at KSLTA Stadium on February 17, 2006.
Actor Vishnuvardhan with Salumarada Thimmakka.
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.
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.
Actors Vishnuvardhan and Bharathi (his wife) at the launch of a designer sari brand, in Bengaluru in August 2009.
Actor Rajinikanth and Vishnuvardhan at the 75th year celebrations of Kannada cinema.
Vishnuvardhan with singer Manna Dey.
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.
People thronging the samadhi of actor Vishnuvardhan at Abhiman Studio on Uttarahalli-Kengeri Road, in Bengaluru on September 08, 2013.
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Vishnuvardhan was known for portraying believable vulnerability. A case in point is his iconic Bandhana (1984).It is a film that makes filmmaker Jaishankar Aryar think of an age-defying love story starring Vishnuvardhan. “I would have written a love story with two old people. Imagine living 70 years, carrying different kinds of experiences and learnings, and then falling in love. I feel Vishnuvardhan sir could have brought out the internal conflicts and the nuanced performance required for such a character,” said Jaishankar, who made the critically acclaimed and festival hit Shivamma(2024).
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In web series?
Natesh Hegde, director behind internationally-acclaimed films such as Pedroand Vagachipani, said Dr Rajkumar and Vishnuvardhan are beyond a particular on-screen image. “Bhootayyana Maga Ayyu (1974), Bandhana (1984), and Karna (1986) are films that prove that Vishnuvardhan was more than your usual commercial star,” said Natesh, adding that he misses seeing the actor in the web-series space. “Vishnu sir as a cop with grey shades in police-procedurals, something on the lines of Paatal Lok (2020)and Khorra (2023), might have been interesting,” he said.
In the era of pan-Indian films, big stars of all languages are collaborating with each other, increasing their visibility beyond their respective home industries. “Had Marudhanayagamseen the light of day, the world would have celebrated Vishnuvardhan sir’s calibre,” he said about the shelved ambitious project of Kamal Haasan in which the Kannada star was cast in a prominent role.
Comedy, an underrated facet
The actor’s comical side isn’t spoken as much as it should be, felt filmmakers. “I remember enjoying his Mojugara Sogasugara (1995)as a child,” recalled Shashank. “His combination with Dwarakish was a huge hit. A comedy spy thriller with both of them is a great opportunity missed,” he added.
Beyond one image
Director Dinesh Baboo, a regular collaborator with Vishnuvardhan, said the actor was a “star who never insisted on having a specific image.” “He played an ordinary father in Laali (1997), a retired army man in Nishabdha, anda loyal husband in the comedy drama Hendthige Helthini (1989). These films show the acting range of Vishnuvardhan. Today, I am filming the biopic of Kempegowda, and I miss him dearly. He was tailormade to play Krishnadevaraya. He would have looked majestic in a royal outfit,” said Dinesh Baboo about exploring a strong historical role with Vishnuvardhan, who was gifted with a strong dialogue delivery and a solid baritone.
In gangster drama?
Senior members in the industry call him a great actor who could entertain people of all generations. “I miss him a lot,” said friend and filmmaker Rajendra Singh Babu, who helmed classics such as Bandhana and Muthina Haara (1990)with the actor.
“Vishnu in a Godfather-like gangster drama is something that I might have tried. Like Marlon Brando, he would have outshone the rest of the star-studded cast,” felt Babu. More than a decade since his demise, Kannada cinema is reeling from the effects of unfulfilled roles and dream projects involving one of the fine actors of Sandalwood.
Published – September 17, 2025 10:57 pm IST
