Vishnuvardhan’s filmography is one of the most dynamic and versatile in Kannada cinema history. With over 220 films and a career spanning nearly four decades, he established himself as one of the most bankable and beloved stars in South Indian cinema.

Known as “Sahasa Simha” and “The Angry Young Man of Kannada Cinema,” Vishnuvardhan delivered consistent performances across genres including action, romance, drama, mythology and family entertainers.

Below is a complete movie-wise hit, average and flop classification based on box office performance, industry trends and long-term audience reception.

Complete Movie-wise Table

1970s

Year	Movie	Verdict
1972	Vamsha Vriksha	Hit
1972	Naagarahaavu	Blockbuster
1973	Seethe Alla Savithri	Average
1973	Mane Belagida Sose	Hit
1973	Gandhada Gudi	Blockbuster
1974	Bhootayyana Maga Ayyu	Blockbuster
1974	Professor Huchuraya	Average
1974	Anna Attige	Hit
1975	Devara Gudi	Hit
1975	Koodi Balona	Average
1975	Kalla Kulla	Hit
1975	Bhagya Jyothi	Hit
1975	Nagakanye	Average
1975	Onde Roopa Eradu Guna	Hit
1976	Devaru Kotta Vara	Hit
1976	Hosilu Mettida Hennu	Average
1976	Makkala Bhagya	Hit
1976	Bangarada Gudi	Hit
1977	Bayasade Banda Bhagya	Hit
1977	Sose Tanda Soubhagya	Average
1977	Nagarahole	Hit
1977	Chinna Ninna Muddaduve	Hit
1977	Shrimanthana Magalu	Hit
1977	Sahodarara Savaal	Hit
1977	Shani Prabhava	Average
1977	Galate Samsara	Hit
1977	Kittu Puttu	Hit
1978	Hombisilu	Super Hit
1978	Sandharbha	Average
1978	Kiladi Kittu	Hit
1978	Vamsha Jyothi	Average
1978	Muyyige Muyyi	Hit
1978	Siritanakke Savaal	Hit
1978	Prathima	Average
1978	Nanna Prayaschittha	Average
1978	Sneha Sedu	Hit
1978	Kiladi Jodi	Hit
1978	Vasantha Lakshmi	Hit
1978	Amarnath	Average
1978	Bhale Huduga	Hit
1978	Madhura Sangama	Average
1978	Singaporenalli Raja Kulla	Hit
1979	Asadhya Aliya	Hit
1979	Vijay Vikram	Hit
1979	Naniruvude Ninagagi	Hit
1979	Manini	Average
1979	Nentaro Gantu Kallaro	Hit

1980s

Year	Movie	Verdict
1980	Nanna Rosha Nooru Varusha	Hit
1980	Rama Parashurama	Hit
1980	Kaalinga	Hit
1980	Hanthakana Sanchu	Average
1980	Makkala Sainya	Hit
1980	Biligiriya Banadalli	Hit
1980	Simha Jodi	Average
1980	Rahasya Rathri	Hit
1980	Bangarada Jinke	Hit
1980	Driver Hanumanthu	Average
1981	Mane Mane Kathe	Average
1981	Naga Kala Bhairava	Hit
1981	Maha Prachandaru	Average
1981	Guru Shishyaru	Hit
1981	Snehitara Savaal	Hit
1981	Avala Hejje	Average
1981	Preetisi Nodu	Flop
1982	Pedda Gedda	Average
1982	Sahasa Simha	Blockbuster
1982	Karmika Kallanalla	Hit
1982	Oorige Upakari	Hit
1982	Jimmy Gallu	Hit
1982	Suvarna Sethuve	Average
1982	Onde Guri	Hit
1982	Kallu Veene Nudiyithu	Hit
1983	Sididedda Sahodara	Hit
1983	Muthaide Bhagya	Average
1983	Gandharva Giri	Average
1983	Gandugali Rama	Hit
1983	Chinnadantha Maga	Hit
1983	Simha Garjane	Hit
1983	Prachanda Kulla	Average
1984	Rudranaga	Hit
1984	Khaidi	Hit
1984	Benki Birugali	Hit
1984	Indina Ramayana	Average
1984	Bandhana	Blockbuster
1984	Huli Hejje	Hit
1984	Chanakya	Hit
1984	Aaradhane	Average
1984	Madhuve Madu Tamashe Nodu	Hit
1985	Jeevana Chakra	Hit
1985	Karthavya	Hit
1985	Maha Purusha	Hit
1985	Veeradhi Veera	Average
1985	Nee Bareda Kadambari	Hit
1985	Mareyada Manikya	Hit
1985	Nanna Prathigne	Hit
1985	Nee Thanda Kanike	Flop
1986	Karna	Hit
1986	Kathanayaka	Hit
1986	Ee Jeeva Ninagagi	Average
1986	Sathya Jyothi	Hit
1986	Krishna Nee Begane Baro	Hit
1986	Malaya Marutha	Hit
1987	Premaloka	Blockbuster
1987	Sowbhagya Lakshmi	Hit
1987	Karunamayi	Hit
1987	Jayasimha	Hit
1987	Aaseya Bale	Average
1987	Jeevana Jyothi	Average
1987	Shubha Milana	Hit
1987	Sathyam Shivam Sundaram	Hit
1988	December 31	Average
1988	Olavina Aasare	Hit
1988	Nammoora Raja	Hit
1988	Jana Nayaka	Hit
1988	Suprabhatha	Hit
1988	Krishna Rukmini	Hit
1988	Daada	Hit
1989	Ondagi Balu	Average
1989	Hrudaya Geethe	Hit
1989	Rudra	Hit
1989	Deva	Hit
1989	Doctor Krishna	Average

1990s–2000s

Year	Movie	Verdict
1990	Shivashankar	Hit
1990	Muthina Haara	Average
1990	Mathe Haditu Kogile	Super Hit
1991	Lion Jagapathi Rao	Hit
1991	Neenu Nakkare Haalu Sakkare	Hit
1991	Jagadeka Veera	Average
1991	Police Mathu Dada	Hit
1992	Rajadhi Raja	Hit
1992	Harakeya Kuri	Hit
1992	Nanna Shathru	Average
1993	Sangharsha	Average
1993	Vishnu Vijaya	Hit
1994	Nishkarsha	Hit
1994	Time Bomb	Average
1994	Mahakshathriya	Hit
1994	Halunda Thavaru	Blockbuster
1995	Yama Kinkara	Hit
1995	Kona Edaithe	Flop
1995	Mojugara Sogasugara	Hit
1995	Himapatha	Hit
1996	Appaji	Hit
1996	Hello Daddy	Average
1996	Karnataka Suputra	Hit
1996	Dhani	Average
1996	Jeevanadhi	Hit
1997	Janani Janmabhoomi	Hit
1997	Laali	Super Hit
1998	Nishyabda	Average
1998	Simhada Guri	Average
1998	Hendthighelthini	Hit
1999	Veerappa Nayaka	Hit
1999	Habba	Hit
1999	Surya Vamsha	Blockbuster
1999	Premotsava	Average
2000	Soorappa	Hit
2000	Yajamana	Industry Blockbuster

2000s–Final Phase

Year	Movie	Verdict
2001	Diggajaru	Hit
2001	Kotigobba	Blockbuster
2002	Parva	Flop
2002	Jamindaru	Hit
2002	Simhadriya Simha	Blockbuster
2003	Raja Narasimha	Average
2003	Hrudayavantha	Hit
2004	Kadamba	Hit
2004	Apthamitra	Industry Blockbuster
2004	Jyeshtha	Hit
2005	Varsha	Average
2005	Vishnu Sena	Average
2006	Neenello Naanalle	Hit
2006	Sirivantha	Hit
2007	Ekadantha	Average
2007	Maathaad Maathaadu Mallige	Hit
2007	Ee Bandhana	Super Hit
2008	Nam Yajamanru	Hit
2009	Bellary Naga	Flop
2010	Aptharakshaka	Blockbuster
2010	School Master	Hit

Other Language Films

Year	Movie	Language	Verdict
1973	Alaigal	Tamil	Average
1980	Mazhalai Pattalam	Tamil	Hit
1981	Adima Changala	Malayalam	Average
1985	Eetti	Tamil	Hit
1985	Sri Raghavendrar	Tamil	Hit
1986	Viduthalai	Tamil	Hit
1991	Inspector Dhanush	Hindi	Average
1992	Kauravar	Malayalam	Hit
1993	Ashaant	Hindi	Average
1994	Zaalim	Hindi	Flop
2000	Okkadu Chalu	Telugu	Average

Final Summary

Total Films: 220+
Hits & Above: ~75–80%
Blockbusters: 10+
Industry Hits: Multiple
Flops: Very few compared to volume

The Rise of a Star (1972–1980)

Vishnuvardhan began his career with Vamsha Vriksha, a critically acclaimed film. However, it was Naagarahaavu (1972) that transformed him into an overnight sensation.

Notable Films
Naagarahaavu – Blockbuster
Gandhada Gudi – Blockbuster
Bhootayyana Maga Ayyu – Landmark Film
Hombisilu – Career-defining role

This phase established him as a promising and powerful actor in Kannada cinema.

Golden Era and Stardom (1980s)

The 1980s marked the peak of Vishnuvardhan’s stardom.

Major Breakthrough
Sahasa Simha (1982) gave him his iconic title

Major Hits
Bandhana – Blockbuster
Khaidi – Super Hit
Premaloka – Musical Super Hit
Hrudaya Geethe – Romantic Success

This period cemented his position as a top star in the Kannada film industry.

Peak Performance Phase (1990s)

During the 1990s, Vishnuvardhan showcased maturity and versatility.

Major Hits
Halunda Thavaru – Blockbuster
Laali – Emotional Super Hit
Surya Vamsha – Massive Success
Veerappa Nayaka – Critically acclaimed

This phase proved his adaptability and longevity.

Late Career Success (2000–2010)

Even in his later years, Vishnuvardhan delivered some of the biggest hits of his career.

Major Highlights
Yajamana (2000) – Industry Blockbuster
Apthamitra (2004) – One of the biggest Kannada hits ever
Aptharakshaka (2010) – Blockbuster posthumous success

He successfully transitioned into character-driven and age-appropriate roles.

Experimental Films and Underrated Gems

Like every great actor, Vishnuvardhan also had films that didn’t perform well commercially but gained appreciation later.

Examples
Muthina Haara – Critically acclaimed
Simhada Guri – Average performer
Bellary Naga – Mixed reception

These films highlight his willingness to experiment beyond commercial formulas.

Versatility That Defined His Career

Vishnuvardhan was known for his ability to perform a wide range of roles.

Roles Played
Action hero
Romantic lead
Family-oriented characters
Mythological roles
Dual and triple roles

He was also a playback singer and contributed to Kannada music culture.

Awards and Achievements

Karnataka State Film Awards – Multiple wins
Filmfare Awards South – Several wins
Lifetime Achievement Awards
Karnataka Ratna (Posthumous)

He remains one of the most awarded actors in Kannada cinema after Dr. Rajkumar.

Success Ratio and Legacy

Key Statistics

220+ films
High success rate across decades
Strong fan base even after decades

Vishnuvardhan earned titles like
Sahasa Simha
Dada
Phoenix of Indian Cinema

He continues to be a cultural icon in Karnataka.

Final Phase and Legacy

His final years included impactful performances:

Soorappa – Hit
Yajamana – Industry Hit
Apthamitra – Historic Success
Aptharakshaka – Blockbuster

Even after his passing in 2009, his films continued to dominate the box office.

His contribution to Indian cinema remains timeless and his legacy continues to inspire generations of actors and filmmakers.

Dr Vishnuvardhan All Movies Hit Flop List (1972–2010) – Complete Filmography with Verdicts