Vishnuvardhan
The Stylish Actor Of Kannada Films
 

The existence of three decades in Kannada cinema is itself an indication of his strong ability. His concentration,

Devotion towards work is admirable. Vishnuvardhan second only to Dr.Rajkumar in popularity has not grown in such a dimension as for as variety of roles are concerned but his stint in 175 films in three decades speaks volumes.

A young cute boy Kumar wanted to become a ‘Daaku’ with the inspiration he got from watching films. He was promptly sent back from Rajasthan by his elder sister for studies to Bangalore. He roamed several places and the one liking he picked up was that of visiting to the sets of Kannada films for the sake of eating spicy tasty eatables served. This attraction made him to attend the sets and bunk the classes. He was spotted for a small role in National award winner ‘Vamshavruksha’ and later he got an opportunity of his life from the great director S.R.Puttanna Kanagal for the film ‘Nagara Havu’ which was a smash hit and raked into lot of popularity for this Kumar. He became Vishnuvardhan from this film and today he is fifty years with thirty years spending in filmy life.

From his aggressive role in the film ’Nagarahavu’ the cute Ramachari in the film never looked back with sorrow on any day. He continuous offers kept him so busy and he had very short gaps in his career. There is nothing like a good film or a bad film but there is a good time or bad time Vishnuvardhan kept on saying from the beginning of his career.

The Sahasa Simha (the lion of action) Vishnuvardhan never reverted back from his action image and he still continues at this age of 50 years. After ‘Nagarahavu’ a silver jubilee film Vishnuvardhan had to wait for a long time for his second hit. The films like ‘Hombisilu’, ‘Bandhana’ based on novels, the hit films like Karna, Malayamarutha, Mahakshatriya, Suprabhata, Chanakya, Samraat, Chanakya, Halunda Thavaru possesed strong story line.

He ventured into some ‘bridge’ movies like Harekeya Kuri’ (based on Dr.Chandrasekhara Kambara’s play of the same title) which did not receive much acclaim from the run of the mill audience, though it bagged award. Discouraged by this or unwilling to deviate from ‘star value’ and ‘image’ Vishnuvardhan even to this day continues his macho hero and ideal lover husband roles.

There is no doubt that Vishnuvardhan has given an above average performance in the field and has contributed significantly for the growth of Kannada cinema. While his maiden film as hero was way back in 1972 fetched him state award, his subsequent emotional performance in Hombisilu (1977) Bandhana (1984) Lion Jagapathi Rao (1990) and in the later years brought him acclaim at the state level.

Yet the artist in him has not completely come into force. His impressive performances in certain scenes in bandhana, Suprabhata, Mutttina Hara really promised a lot. However, sadly, it has just remained a promise. Of late the Veerappanayaka and Suryavamsha further tapped his potentiality. Vishnuvardhan caught in the web he has woven around him or the industry, which is more commercial oriented, has failed to exploit the best in him. The absence of valuable criticism and critical writing on cinema and artists, which is a bane in Kannada cinema also seems to have become a negative factor for his growth.

Vishnuvardhan always maintained his interviews that he is puppet at the hands of a director like ‘clay at the hands of Kambara’.

From the day one in filmdom, Vishnu has been surrounded by controversies. He is called angry young man, moody chap, and of late philosophical.

MANY MOODS OF VISHNU 

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