Vishnuvardhan (actor)

Vishnuvardhan started his career with the National Award-winning movie Vamshavruksha (1972) directed by Girish Karnad based on the novel written by S. L. Bhyrappa. His first lead role was in Naagarahaavu, directed by Puttanna Kanagal and based on a novel by T. R. Subba Rao. It was the first in Kannada film history to complete 100 days in three main theatres of Bangalore. In his 37-year career, he played a variety of roles in more than 200 films.[20] Then 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. In 1977 he appeared in many movies but three of it were with Rajinikanth. Those movies where Sahodarara Savaal, Kiladi Kittu and Galate Samsara. They went on to appear in more movies together. In 1978 he appeared in Hombisilu

In 1982 his movie Sahasa Simha became another Blockbuster and he also get the title Sahasa Simha. In 1984 he debuted in the Bollywood movie Ek Naya Iittihas which was critically acclaimed. And in the same year he appeared in Bandhana. It became a turning point in his career. In 1985 he appeared again with Rajinikanth in the Tamil film Sri Raghavendrar. The same year he appeared in Jeevana Chakra which was successful. Next year he appeared in multi-starrer cult film Viduthalai (1986 film) co-starring with Sivaji Ganesan, Rajinikanth, Madhavi, Vijayakumar, R. N. Sudarshan, K. Balaji and Y. G. Mahendran. It was a remake of Bollywood Hindi language film Qurbani (film) released in 1980. Starring Feroz Khan (actor), Vinod Khanna, Amjad Khan (actor), Zeenat Aman, Shakti Kapoor and Aruna Irani. However Qurbani (film) became the highest grosser of the year while Viduthalai (1986 film) was average at the box office. In 1989 his two movies Hrudaya Geethe and Deva were successful. In 1990 his movie Muthina Haara costar with Suhasini Maniratnam (who earlier appeared with Vishnuvardhan in Bandhana) become Vishnuvardhan's one of the best movie. Next year in 1991 he appeared in Lion Jagapathi Rao by which he received an award. In 1992 his Malayalam movie Kauravar with Mammootty was critically acclaimed. In 1993 he appeared in Hindi Kannada bilingual movie Vishnu Vijaya (In Hindi Ashant). Co-star with Akshay Kumar. It was a failure in Hindi but a success in Kannada. In 1994 his movie Halunda Tavaru was a blockbuster then same year he appeared in the hit film Zaalim again with Akshay Kumar through out the 1990s he appeared in successful movies such as Habba and Jeevanadhi.

In 2000 his movie Yajamana was a huge box office success and eventually became the highest grossing Kannada movie of the year. And in same year his another movies such as Soorappa, Simhadriya Simha and Surya Vamsha and also Jamindaru became Blockbusters. In 2001 his movie Diggajaru with Ambareesh become a Blockbuster. In 2003 - 2004 his movies Varsha, Sahukara, Kadamba and Apthamithra became blockbusters. His two movies in 2007 Ee Bandhana and Maathaad Maathaadu Mallige were critically acclaimed. And his another Neenello Naanalle became a box office and his movie Bellary Naga was an average hit.

Aptharakshaka (2010) was his last movie to be released which was a Blockbuster. And became highest grossing Kannada movie of the year. In 2016 he appeared through computer graphics in Nagarahavu (2016) and Rajasimha (2018).

Ambareesh also acted with him in movies. Actor Ramesh Bhat acted in more than 75 films with Vishnuvardhan

Vishnuvardhan statue in Bangalore

• As an acknowledgment to his service to Indian cinema, the state government named its annual lifetime achievement award to long-serving film personalities after Vishnuvardhan, renaming it as the Karnataka State Dr. Vishnuvardhan Award.[33]
• He has appeared on postage stamps issued by the Government of India posthumously.[34][35]
• Vishnuvardhan was given the Filmfare South Lifetime achievement award in 2002 for his contribution to the Kannada film industry.
• The State Government has named roads and parks in the capital city Bangalore after him.[36] A park in Jayanagar, Bengaluru has also been named as Dr. Vishnuvardhan Park.[37]
• The government of Karnataka decided to build a film city in the name of Dr. Vishnuvardhan. It will be similar to the model of Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad.[38]
• The Karnataka Assembly showed respect to the star by praying for a minute for his soul to rest in peace. After that, the election of the Speaker was held under chaotic circumstances as the Opposition parties wanted the elections to be postponed due to this shocking and unexpected incident.[39][40]
• There are statues erected in his honour, especially in Bangalore. A 7-foot-high (2.1 m) statue in Gowri Palya on 1 March 2012, Laggere on 4 March 2012, Kengeri on 9 October 2011, KP Agrahara in Vijayanagar on 11 March 2012 and in other places of Bengaluru and Karnataka were unveiled.[41][42]
• Vishnuvardhan was cremated at the Abhimaan Studios, in the outskirts of Bangalore on 30 December 2009 with full state honors. Almost all the leading politicians and actors were present there.[43][44]
• A 14.3 km-long stretch of road between the Banashankari Temple and Kengeri in Bangalore has been named after the superstar. It is the longest road in Asia to be named after a celebrity.[13][14]
• Vishnuvardhan's fans, for whom he is a demi-god, have built a temple for him naming it Dr. Vishnuvardhan Mandir.[45]