Vishnuvardhan
Born September 18, 1950 (Age: 75)
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Mysore, Karnataka, India
Biography
Sampath Kumar (18 September 1950 – 30 December 2009), known by his stage name Vishnuvardhan, was an Indian actor who worked predominantly in Kannada cinema besides also having sporadically appeared in Tamil, Hindi, Telugu and Malayalam language films. Vishnuvardhan has a prolific career spanning over four decades, during which he has acted in more than 220 films. A popular cultural icon of Karnataka, and holds the status of a matinée idol among the Kannada diaspora. He is popularly called as Sahasa Simha, Dada and The Angry Young Man of Kannada Cinema. Vishnuvardhan's contributions to Kannada cinema have been praised by his contemporaries in the Indian film industry. The Government of Karnataka honoured him with the highest civilian awards of Karnataka State, the Karnataka Ratna Award in 2025, Rajyothsava Prashasthi in 1990 and the Dr. Rajkumar Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007 for his contributions to Kannada cinema. He was called The Phoenix of Indian Cinema. In 2008, a poll conducted by CNN-IBN listed Vishnuvardhan as the most popular star in the Kannada film industry.
Sampath Kumar (18 September 1950 – 30 December 2009), known by his stage name Vishnuvardhan, was an Indian actor who worked predominantly in Kannada cinema besides also having sporadically appeared in Tamil, Hindi, Telugu and Malayalam language films. Vishnuvardhan has a prolific career spanning over four decades, during which he has acted in more than 220 films. A popular cultural icon of Karnataka, and holds the status of a matinée idol among the Kannada diaspora. He is popularly called as Sahasa Simha, Dada and The Angry Young Man of Kannada Cinema. Vishnuvardhan's contributions to Kannada cinema have been praised by his contemporaries in the Indian film industry. The Government of Karnataka honoured him with the highest civilian awards of Karnataka State, the Karnataka Ratna Award in 2025, Rajyothsava Prashasthi in 1990 and the Dr. Rajkumar Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007 for his contributions to Kannada cinema. He was called The Phoenix of Indian Cinema. In 2008, a poll conducted by CNN-IBN listed Vishnuvardhan as the most popular star in the Kannada film industry.
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Filmography
School Master
2010
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as
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Age: 59
Bellary Naga
2009
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as
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Age: 59
Namyajamanru
2009
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as
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Age: 58
Ee Bandhana
2007
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as Harish Raj
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Age: 57
Sirivantha
2006
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as
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Age: 56
Neenello Nanalle
2006
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as
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Age: 55
Vishnu Sena
2005
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as
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Age: 55
Varsha
2005
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as
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Age: 54
Jyeshta
2004
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as
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Age: 54
Sahukara
2004
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as Sahukara Raja Mahendra Varma
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Age: 54
Apthamitra
2004
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as
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Age: 53
Malla
2004
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as Self - Narrator (voice)
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Age: 53
Kadamba
2004
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as Madhukeshawara Kadamba
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Age: 53
Simhadriya Simha
2002
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as Narasimha Gowda and Chikka
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Age: 51
Jameendarru
2002
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as
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Age: 51
Parva
2002
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as
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Age: 51
Diggajaru
2001
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as Wodeya
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Age: 50
Yajamana
2000
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as Shankar/Ganesha (Dual Role)
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Age: 50
Nan Hendthi Chennagiddale
2000
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as
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Age: 50
Deepavali
2000
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as
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Age: 49
Soorappa
2000
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as Soorappa
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Age: 49
Okkadu Chaalu
2000
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as
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Age: 49
Premotsava
1999
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as
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Age: 49
Suryavamsha
1999
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as Sathyamurthy/Kanakamurthy (Dual Role)
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Age: 48
Habba
1999
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as Vishnu
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Age: 48
Veerappa Nayaka
1999
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as
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Age: 48
Hendithghelthini
1998
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as
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Age: 47
Simhada Guri
1998
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as
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Age: 47
Yaare Neenu Cheluve
1998
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as
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Age: 47
Nishyabdha
1998
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as Major Vishwanath
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Age: 47
Laali
1997
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as
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Age: 47
Ellaranthalla Nanna Ganda
1997
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as
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Age: 46
Janani Janmabhoomi
1997
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Age: 46
Mangala Suthra
1997
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as
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Age: 46
Jeevanadi
1996
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as
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Age: 45
Baalina Jyothi
1996
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as
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Age: 45
Dhani
1996
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as
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Age: 45
Appaji
1996
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as
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Age: 45
Karnataka Suputhra
1996
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as
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Age: 45
Hello Daddy
1996
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Age: 45
Himapatha
1995
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as
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Age: 45
Karulina Kudi
1995
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as
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Age: 45
Thumbida Mane
1995
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as
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Age: 44
Bangarada Kalasha
1995
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as
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Age: 44
Mojugara Sogasugara
1995
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as
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Age: 44
Kiladigalu
1994
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as
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Age: 44
Halunda Tavaru
1994
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as
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Age: 43
Kotreshi Kanasu
1994
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as
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Age: 43
Mahakshathriya
1994
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as
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Age: 43
Samrat
1994
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as
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Age: 43
Kunthi Puthra
1994
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as
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Age: 43
Time Bomb
1994
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Age: 43
Vishnu Vijaya
1993
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as
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Age: 43
Ashaant
1993
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as Vishnu
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Age: 43
Manikantana Mahime
1993
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as
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Age: 43
Raayaru Bandaru Maavana Manege
1993
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as Vishnu
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Age: 42
Nanendu Nimmavane
1993
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as
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Age: 42
Nishkarsha
1993
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as Ajay Kumar
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Age: 42
Sangharsha
1993
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as
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Age: 42
Ithu Manjukaalam
1993
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as Pauli
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Age: 42
Harakeya Kuri
1992
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as
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Age: 41
Belliyappa Bangarappa
1992
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as
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Age: 41
Ravi Varma
1992
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as
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Age: 41
Kauravar
1992
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as Haridas I.P.S.
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Age: 41
Police Matthu Dada
1991
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as
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Age: 41
Inspector Dhanush
1991
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as
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Age: 41
Jagadeka Veera
1991
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as
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Age: 41
Neenu Nakkare Haalu Sakkare
1991
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as
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Age: 40
Lion Jagapathi Rao
1991
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as
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Age: 40
Mathe Hadithu Kogile
1990
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as Anand
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Age: 40
Muthina Haara
1990
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as
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Age: 39
Shivashankar
1990
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as Shivu / Shankar
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Age: 39
Ganeshana Maduve
1990
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as Self
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Age: 39
Hrudaya Geethe
1989
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as
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Age: 38
Deva
1989
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Age: 38
Daada
1988
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as Daada
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Age: 38
Krishna Rukmini
1988
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Age: 37
Jana Nayaka
1988
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as
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Age: 37
Nammoora Raja
1988
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as
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Age: 37
Suprabhatha
1988
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as Vijay Kumar
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Age: 37
Shubha Milana
1987
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Age: 36
Jeevana Jyothi
1987
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Age: 36
Jayasimha
1987
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Age: 36
Sowbhagya Lakshmi
1987
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as Shyam / Chandru
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Age: 36
Karna
1986
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as
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Age: 35
Nee Thanda Kanike
1985
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as
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Age: 35
Sri Raghavendrar
1985
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as Sri Yogenthra Tirtha
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Age: 34
Eetti
1985
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Age: 34
Nee Bareda Kadambari
1985
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as
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Age: 34
Maduve Maadu Thamashe Nodu
1984
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as Ganesha
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Age: 34
Aaradhane
1984
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as Rajesh
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Age: 34
Huli Hejje
1984
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as
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Age: 33
Khaidi
1984
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Age: 33
Police Papanna
1984
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as Guest Appearance
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Age: 33
Simha Gharjane
1983
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Age: 33
Jimmy Gallu
1982
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as
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Age: 32
Karmika Kallanalla
1982
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Age: 31
Snehithara Saval
1981
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Age: 31
Maha Prachandaru
1981
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as
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Age: 30
Avala Hejje
1981
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Age: 30
Mane Mane Kathe
1981
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Age: 30
Driver Hanumanthu
1980
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Age: 30
Bangarada Jinke
1980
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Age: 30
Rahasya Rathri
1980
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Age: 29
Makkala Sainya
1980
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Age: 29
Kalinga
1980
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as Prabhakar/ Ranga
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Age: 29
Vijay Vikram
1979
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as
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Age: 28
Singaporenalli Raja Kulla
1978
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as Raja
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Age: 28
Amarnath
1978
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as Guest Appearance
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Age: 28
Vasantha Lakshmi
1978
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as Chandru
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Age: 28
Kiladi Jodi
1978
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as George
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Age: 27
Sneha Sedu
1978
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as
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Age: 27
Muyyige Muyyi
1978
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as Sanjay
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Age: 27
Sirithanakke Saval
1978
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as
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Age: 27
No Image
Kiladi Kittu
1978
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as Kittu
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Age: 27
Hombisilu
1978
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as Dr. Nataraj
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Age: 27
Chinna Ninna Muddaduve
1977
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as
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Age: 26
Nagarahole
1977
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as
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Age: 26
Bangarada Gudi
1976
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as Vijay
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Age: 25
Hosilu Mettida Hennu
1976
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as
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Age: 25
Bhagya Jyothi
1975
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Age: 24
Naga Kanye
1975
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Age: 24
Onde Roopa Eradu Guna
1975
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as
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Age: 24
Kalla Kulla
1975
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as Mahesh aka Kalla
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Age: 24
Boothayyana Maga Ayyu
1974
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as Gulla
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Age: 23
Gandhada Gudi
1973
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as Anand
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Age: 23
Seetheyalla Savithri
1973
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as
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Age: 22
Alaigal
1973
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as Inspector Raju
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Age: 22
Naagarahaavu
1972
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as Ramachari
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Age: 22