Vishnuvardhan (actor)

In his 37-year career, he played a variety of roles in more than 200 films.[21] 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. It was the first movie in Kannada film history to complete 100 days in three main theatres of Bangalore. Next he appeared along with Rajkumar and Kalpana 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 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 based on the novel of the same name by Usha Navratnaram and his role of a doctor fetched him his first Karnataka State 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, Arathi 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 Iittihas opposite Hema malini. The same year, Bandhana based on another Usha Navratnaram novel, where he appeared with Suhasini Maniratnam and once again played a doctor but with a Devdas-like touch, was not only a super duper success but also fetched him his second State award 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 (1986 film) co-starring Sivaji Ganesan as well. Almost all his movies in the 1980s like Onde Guri, Nee Bareda Kadambari, Jeevana Chakra, Khaidi, Suprabhata, Deva and Hrudaya Geethe were extremely successful at the box-office. Malaya Marutha in which he played a classical singer also got him a lot of critical acclaim.

In 1990 Muthina Haara directed by his friend S.V. Rajendra Singh Babu who had earlier given him the blockbuster Bandhana got rave reviews and was an average grosser at the box office, while Mathe Haaditu 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 another award. His 1992 Malayalam movie Kauravar with Mammootty was critically acclaimed. Halunda Tavaru released in 1994 was a blockbuster. In 1994-95 he once again forayed into Hindi cinema appearing in the Hindi-Kannada bilingual Vishnu Vijaya (In Hindi Ashant) and Zaalim along with rising star Akshay Kumar. In 1994 Halunda Tavaru was a blockbuster. Other significant movies in the late 1990s include Surya Vamsha, Habba and Laali.

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 the highest grossing Kannada movie of the year. 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, Sahukara, Kadamba and most importantly Apthamitra which turned out to be the last film of Soundarya who costarred with him. In 2007 Ee Bandhana costarring Jayaprada directed by actress Vijayalakshmi Singh, and Maathaad Maathaadu Mallige directed by Nagathihalli Chandrashekhar co-starring Darshan, got him a lot of acclaim. He appeared in Neenello Naanalle with his son-in-law Aniruddh and popular actress Rakshita. In 2009 Bellary Naga was the last movie to release before his death. Aptharakshaka (2010) released posthumously was yet another blockbuster.

Vishnuvardhan on 2013 Indian stamp

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.[34]
• He has appeared on postage stamps issued by the Government of India posthumously.[35][36]
• 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.[37] A park in Jayanagar, Bengaluru has also been named as Dr. Vishnuvardhan Park.[38]
• 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.[39]
• 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.[40][41]
• 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.[42][43]
• 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.[44][45]
• 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.[12][13]
• Vishnuvardhan's fans, for whom he is a demi-god, have built a temple for him naming it Dr. Vishnuvardhan Mandir.[46]