S. V. Ranga Rao
Acting
1918-07-03 · Nuzvidu, Krishna dist, Andhra Pradesh, India
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).
Filmography
Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu
2013 · Movie
Yashoda Krishna
1975 · Movie
Andaru Dongale
1974 · Movie
Chakravakam
1974 · Movie
Abhimanavanthulu
1973 · Movie
Devudu Chesina Manushulu
1973 · Movie
Anbu Sagodharargal
1973 · Movie
Tata Manavadu
1973 · Movie
Koduku Kodalu
1972 · Movie
Bala Bharatam
1972 · Movie
Vasantha Maligai
1972 · Movie
Papam Pasivadu
1972 · Movie
Sampoorna Ramayanam
1972 · Movie
Raja
1972 · Movie
Pandanti Kapuram
1972 · Movie
Adi Parasakthi
1971 · Movie
Prema Nagar
1971 · Movie
Dasara Bullodu
1971 · Movie
Vikramarka Vijayam
1971 · Movie
Thenum Paalum
1971 · Movie
Desamante Manushuloyi
1970 · Movie
Sivandha Mann
1969 · Movie
Nam Naadu
1969 · Movie
Kulavilakku
1969 · Movie
Mooga Nomu
1969 · Movie
Lakshmi Nivasam
1968 · Movie
Chinnari Papalu
1968 · Movie
Ramu
1968 · Movie
Veeranjaneya
1968 · Movie
Poovum Pottum
1968 · Movie
Sukha Dukhalu
1968 · Movie
Rahasyam
1967 · Movie
Punyavathi
1967 · Movie
Vasantha Sena
1967 · Movie
Pesum Deivam
1967 · Movie
Thaaiku Thalaimagan
1967 · Movie
Chadarangam
1967 · Movie
Bhaktha Prahlada
1967 · Movie
Selvam
1966 · Movie
Kumari Penn
1966 · Movie
Vazhkai Padagu
1965 · Movie
Enga Veettu Pillai
1965 · Movie
Pandava Vanavasamu
1965 · Movie
Server Sundaram
1964 · Movie
Main Bhi Ladki Hoon
1964 · Movie
Kai Kodutha Deivam
1964 · Movie
Ramudu Bheemudu
1964 · Movie
Pachai Vilakku
1964 · Movie
Bobbili Yuddham
1964 · Movie
Annai Illam
1963 · Movie
Karpagam
1963 · Movie
Narthanasala
1963 · Movie
Kungumam
1963 · Movie
Naanum Oru Penn
1963 · Movie
Iruvar Ullam
1963 · Movie
Annai
1962 · Movie
Bandha Pasam
1962 · Movie
Kaathiruntha Kangal
1962 · Movie
Gundamma Katha
1962 · Movie
Dakshayagnam
1962 · Movie
Manchi Manasulu
1962 · Movie
Saradha
1962 · Movie
Padandi Munduku
1962 · Movie
Aathma Bandhuvu
1962 · Movie
Padithal Mattum Podhuma
1961 · Movie
Kalasi Unte Kaladu Sukham
1961 · Movie
Kumudham
1961 · Movie
Sati Sulochana (Indrajeet)
1961 · Movie
Nitchaya Thamboolam
1961 · Movie
Kappalottiya Thamizhan
1961 · Movie
Velugu Needalu
1961 · Movie
Vidivelli
1960 · Movie
Bhatti Vikramarka
1960 · Movie
Irumbu Thirai
1960 · Movie
Naan Kanda Swargam
1960 · Movie
Padikkadha Medhai
1960 · Movie
Parthiban Kanavu
1960 · Movie
Mahakavi Kalidasu
1960 · Movie
Nammina Bantu
1960 · Movie
Bala Nagamma
1959 · Movie
Appu Chesi Pappu Koodu
1959 · Movie
Mangalya Balam
1959 · Movie
Manjal Mahimai
1959 · Movie
Pellinaati Pramanalu
1958 · Movie
Anbu Engey
1958 · Movie
Kadan Vaangi Kalyanam
1958 · Movie
Sarangadhara
1958 · Movie
Thirumanam
1958 · Movie
Annaiyin Aanai
1958 · Movie
Sabaash Meena
1958 · Movie
Bhookailas
1958 · Movie
Bhookailasa
1958 · Movie
Saarangadhara
1957 · Movie
Soubhagyavathi
1957 · Movie
Alladin and the Wonderful Lamp
1957 · Movie
Mayabazar
1957 · Movie
Thodi Kodallu
1957 · Movie
Charana Daasi
1956 · Movie
Matharkula Manikkam
1956 · Movie
Marma Veeran
1956 · Movie
Chintamani
1956 · Movie
Gunasundari
1955 · Movie
Jayasimha
1955 · Movie
Anarkali
1955 · Movie
Golden Baby
1955 · Movie
Missamma
1955 · Movie
Thuli Visham
1954 · Movie
Sangham
1954 · Movie
Chandraharam
1954 · Movie
Pempudu Koduku
1953 · Movie
Chandirani
1953 · Movie
Devadasu
1953 · Movie
Poongothai
1953 · Movie
Palletooru
1952 · Movie
Kalyanam Panni Paar
1952 · Movie
Pelli Chesi Choodu
1952 · Movie
Pathala Bhairavi
1951 · Movie
Palletoori Pilla
1950 · Movie
Shavukaru
1950 · Movie