Kannada Popular actor Vishnuvardhan dead. Vishnuvardhan was a popular actor and singer in the Indian state of Karnataka. He is popularly regarded as having been one of the most versatile, talented, stylish and popular actors in the Kannada film industry. His role in romantic, action, emotional, music, comedy or family dramas have been widely popular. Born Sampath Kumar, he adopted the name Vishnuvardhan at the insistence of Puttanna Kanagal, who directed his maiden film Nagarahavu.