Film Personality of India: Vishnuvardhan

Dr.Vishnuvardhan (18 September 1950 – 30 December 2009), born Sampath Kumar, was an Indian film actor known for his works predominantly in Kannada cinema.He appeared in over 220 films in Kannada, Hindi, Telugu, Tamil and Malayalam.He was called 'The Phoenix of Indian Cinema'.He made his debut in the 1972 film, Vamsha Vriksha, in a supporting role. The same year he played the lead role in Puttanna Kanagal's Naagarahaavu, and was recognized as 'The Angry Young Man of Kannada Cinema'.He has played a variety of roles in different genres.

On 30 December 2009, Vishnuvardhan died due to a massive cardiac arrest at King's Court Hotel in Mysore. He was survived by his wife, Bharathi Vishnuvardhan, and two daughters, Keerthi and Chandana. He was cremated with full state honours at Abhiman studio in Bengaluru.

Legacy, awards and honors

• As an acknowledgment to his service to Indian cinema, the state government decided to name its annual lifetime achievement award to long-serving film personalities after Vishnuvardhan, renaming it as the Karnataka State Dr. Vishnuvardhan Award.
• He has appeared on postage stamps issued by the Government of India posthumously.
• Vishnuvardhan was awarded with Filmfare South Lifetime achievement award in 2002 for his contribution to Kannada film Industry.
• The State Government has named roads and parks in the capital city Bengaluru after him.A park in Jayanagar, Bengaluru has also been named as Dr.Vishnuvardhan Park.
• 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.
• The Karnataka Assembly showed respect to the star by praying for a minute for his soul to rest in peace for. 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.
• There are statues erected in his honour, especially in Bengaluru. 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.
• Vishnuvardhan was cremated at the Abhimaan Studios, in the outskirts of Bengaluru on 30 December 2009 with full state honors. Almost all the leading politicians and actors were present there.
• A 14.3 km-long stretch of road between the Banashankari Temple and Kengeri in Bengaluru has been named after the superstar. It is the longest road in Asia to be named after a celebrity.
• Vishnuvardhan's fans for whom he is a demi-god have built a temple for him naming it Dr. Vishnuvardhan Mandir.