Vishnuvardhan (actor)

In his 37-year career, he played a variety of roles in more than 200 films.[26][27] Vishnuvardhan started his career with the National Award-winning movie Vamshavruksha (1972) directed by Girish Karnad based on the novel by S. L. Bhyrappa. His first lead role was in Naagarahaavu, directed by Puttanna Kanagal and based on a trilogy by T. R. Subba Rao. Next 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 which also went on to break box-office records. In 1977, he appeared in many Kannada movies of which three were with Rajinikanth who was then a budding star - Sahodarara Savaal, Kiladi Kittu and Galate Samsara. In 1978, Vishnuvardhan appeared in the hit romantic drama Hombisilu and his role of a doctor fetched him his second Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actor. He also acted in Kiladi Jodi with Srinath and Lakshmi. During the 70s Vishnuvardhan formed a successful pair with not only his actress wife Bharathi, but also the two top actresses of the decade - Aarathi and Manjula.

In 1982, the Joe Simon directed Sahasa Simha became a blockbuster and bestowed the title of Sahasa Simha on him. In 1984 he debuted in Bollywood with Ek Naya Itihas opposite Hema Malini. In the same year, Bandhana, where he appeared with Suhasini Maniratnam had him play a doctor again but as a dejected lover. The film was not only a blockbuster but also fetched him his third Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actor and became another turning point in his career. In 1985, he appeared with Rajinikanth in the Tamil film Sri Raghavendrar and the next year in the multi-starrer Viduthalai co-starring Sivaji Ganesan as well. A number of his films in the 1980s like Onde Guri, Nee Bareda Kadambari, Jeevana Chakra, Khaidi, Suprabhaata, Deva and Hrudaya Geethe were successful at the box-office. Malaya Marutha in which he played a classical singer got him a lot of critical acclaim.

In 1990, Muthina Haara - the National award winning film (38th National Film Awards) directed by S. V. Rajendra Singh Babu (who had earlier given him the blockbuster Bandhana) got him rave reviews but was an average grosser at the box office, while Mathe Haadithu Kogile where he costarred with Anant Nag for the first time became a super hit. In 1991, he appeared in a double role in Lion Jagapathi Rao for which he received yet his fourth Karnataka State Film Award for Best Actor. In 1992 he appeared in the National award winning film Harakeya Kuri directed by K. S. L. Swamy[28] He made his debut in Malayalam cinema in 1981 with Adima Changala, Again in 1992 appeared in a Malayalam movie Kauravar starring Mammootty in the lead role. The film was a commercial success and his performance in the film was critically acclaimed. Halunda Tavaru which released in 1994 was a blockbuster. In 1994, he once again forayed into Hindi cinema appearing in the Hindi-Kannada bilingual Vishnu Vijaya (titled Ashaant in Hindi) and Zaalim along with then rising star Akshay Kumar. Other significant movies in the late 1990s include Laali (1997), Surya Vamsha, Habba (both in 1999) During this time, while he acted with almost all the notable actresses of the South industry, he formed the most successful pair with Madhavi, Bhavya, Suhasini, Rupini and Sithara.

Vishnuvardhan with Prema in 1997 Kannada film Ellaranthalla Nanna Ganda

In 2000 Yajamana was a huge box office success and became the all-time highest grossing Kannada movie. His other big hit that year was Soorappa. Over the next few years Vishnuvardhan continued to give more successful films like Kotigobba, Simhadriya Simha, Jamindaru, Diggajaru, Kadamba and most importantly Apthamitra which turned out to be the last film of Soundarya who costarred with him. In 2007, Ee Bandhana costarring Jaya Prada directed by actress Vijayalakshmi Singh, and Maathaad Maathaadu Mallige directed by Nagathihalli Chandrashekhar co-starring Sudeepa ,got him a lot of acclaim for portraying him in age appropriate roles. He appeared in Neenello Naanalle with his son-in-law Aniruddha Jatkar and popular actress Rakshita. In 2009 Bellary Naga was his last movie to release before his death. Aptharakshaka (2010) which released posthumously became a huge blockbuster.

Best Actor - 4 Times :

• Suprabhatha ( 1988 )
• Haalunda Tavaru ( 1994 )
• Yajamana (2000)[41]
• Apthamitra ( 2004 )

Filmfare Special Award - South - 2 times:

• Naagarahaavu (1973)[42]
• Bandhana (1984)[43]
• Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award - South - 2002[43]

Cinema Express Awards :

• Cinema Express Award for the Best Actor - Suprabhatha (1988)
• Cinema Express Award for the Best Actor - Rayaru Bandaru Mavana Manege (1993)
• Cinema Express Award for the Best Actor - Yajamana (2000)

Other Awards:

• Kaladevi Award (Chennai)[28]
• Indira Prathishtan National Award[44][45]
• Tarangini Barkley[44]

Vishnuvardhan

Vishnuvardhan statue in Bangalore

• VishnuVardhan received Karnataka Rajyothsava Prashasthi in 1990.
• He bagged Kerala Cultural & Art Award[28]
• 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.[46]
• He has appeared on postage stamps issued by the Government of India posthumously.[47][48]
• Vishnuvardhan was given the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award - South 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.[49] A park in Jayanagar, Bengaluru has also been named as Dr. Vishnuvardhan Park.[50]
• 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.[51]
• 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.[52][53]
• 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.[54][55]
• 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.[56][57]
• 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.[16][18]
• Vishnuvardhan's fans, for whom he is a demi-god, have built a temple for him naming it Dr. Vishnuvardhan Mandir.[58]
• He was called The Phoenix of Indian Cinema.[7][59][60]