Biography
Samarla Venkata Ranga Rao (July 3, 1918 – July 18, 1974), known professionally as S. V. Ranga Rao or S.V.R., was an Indian actor, director, and producer who worked predominantly in Telugu and Tamil cinema. After early work on stage and an initial film appearance in Varudhini (1946), he gained widespread recognition as the sorcerer Nepala Manthrikudu in the fantasy swashbuckler Pathala Bhairavi (1951). Over the 1950s and 1960s, he became a central character actor and antagonist across South Indian cinema, playing major roles in the social comedy Missamma (1955), the historical drama Tenali Ramakrishna (1956), the fantasy film Mayabazar (1957), and the comedy Gundamma Katha (1962). For his portrayal of Keechaka in the mythological film Narthanasala (1963), he won the Best Actor Award at the 3rd Afro-Asian Film Festival in Jakarta. In addition to Telugu cinema, Ranga Rao worked extensively in Tamil productions, with prominent roles in Annai (1962), Karpagam (1963), Enga Veettu Pillai (1965), and the historical biographical film Kappalottiya Thamizhan (1961). In the late 1960s, he expanded into directing and producing, helming the social dramas Chadarangam (1967) and Bandhavyalu (1968), both of which won Nandi Awards. His later screen appearances included Dasara Bullodu (1971), Sampoorna Ramayanam (1972), Tata Manavadu (1973), and Andaru Dongale (1974), concluding with the posthumously released devotional feature Yashoda Krishna (1975).
Acted in 86
1970s
- 1975
Yashoda Krishna
Kamsa
- 1974
Chakravakam
Dharma Rayudu
- 1973
Tata Manavadu
Movie
- 1972
Bala Bharatam
Bheesma
Vasantha Maligai
Ananth and Vijay's father (archival footage)
Papam Pasivadu
Movie
Sampoorna Ramayanam
Ravana
Raja
Movie
Pandanti Kapuram
Narayana Rao
- 1971
Adi Parasakthi
Dhakshan
Prema Nagar
Movie
Dasara Bullodu
Movie
Vikramarka Vijayam
Movie
Thenum Paalum
Somanathan
1960s
- 1969
Sivandha Mann
Inspector General Chandrasekar
Nam Naadu
Movie
Kulavilakku
Movie
- 1968
Lakshmi Nivasam
Subbaiah
Ramu
Gopalam
- 1967
Punyavathi
Professor Krishna Rao
Bhaktha Prahlada
Hiranyakashipu
Chadarangam
Movie
- 1965
Vazhkai Padagu
Rajan's Father
Enga Veettu Pillai
Ranganadhan Pillai
Pandava Vanavasamu
Duryodhana
- 1964
Server Sundaram
Film Director
Main Bhi Ladki Hoon
Lalaji
Kai Kodutha Deivam
Mahadevan
Ramudu Bheemudu
Ranganatham
Pachai Vilakku
Movie
Bobbili Yuddham
Tandra Paparayudu
- 1963
Karpagam
Nallasivam
Narthanasala
Keechaka
Naanum Oru Penn
Movie
- 1962
Bandha Pasam
Movie
Gundamma Katha
Ramabhadrayya
Dakshayagnam
Daksha Prajapathi
Manchi Manasulu
Ananda Rao
Saradha
Movie
Padandi Munduku
Movie
Aathma Bandhuvu
Father
- 1961
Padithal Mattum Podhuma
Movie
Kalasi Unte Kaladu Sukham
Pattabhi Ramayya
Kumudham
Movie
Sati Sulochana (Indrajeet)
Ravana
Nitchaya Thamboolam
Movie
Velugu Needalu
Rao Bahadur Venkataramaiah
- 1960
Vidivelli
Wealthy Man
Bhatti Vikramarka
Mantra Siddha
Irumbu Thirai
Mohanarangam
Parthiban Kanavu
Maamalar (Narasimhavarman I)
1950s
- 1959
Bala Nagamma
Mayala Marathi
Appu Chesi Pappu Koodu
Mukunda Rao
Mangalya Balam
Papa Rao
Manjal Mahimai
Movie
- 1958
Pellinaati Pramanalu
Bheemasena Rao
Annaiyin Aanai
Movie
Sabaash Meena
Appadurai
Bhookailas
Mayasura
Bhookailasa
Mayasura
- 1957
Alladin and the Wonderful Lamp
Movie
Mayabazar
Ghatotkacha
- 1956
Matharkula Manikkam
Movie
Charana Daasi
Raghavaiah
Marma Veeran
Guest Appearance
Chintamani
Bhavani Shankarudu
- 1955
Jayasimha
Rudrasimha
Anarkali
Akbar
Golden Baby
Kotayya
Missamma
Gopalam
- 1954
Thuli Visham
Veeramarthandan
Sangham
Seetharamanjaneya Das
Chandraharam
Mali
- 1953
Pempudu Koduku
Movie
Chandirani
Prachandudu
Devadasu
Narayana Rao
- 1952
Palletooru
Ganapathi
Pelli Chesi Choodu
Dhoopati Viyanna
- 1951
Pathala Bhairavi
Nepala Mantrikudu
- 1950
Palletoori Pilla
Dhartha
Shavukaru
Sunnapu Ranga
Directed 1
1960s
- 1967
Chadarangam
Director