S. V. Ranga Rao
Acting
Born: July 3, 1918 · Nuzvidu, Krishna dist, Andhra Pradesh, India
Died: July 18, 1974 (aged 56)
Highest Rated
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).
Photos (4)
Movies (86)
Manchi Manasulu
Ananda Rao
Thuli Visham
Veeramarthandan
Golden Baby
Kotayya
Marma Veeran
Guest Appearance
Mayabazar
Ghatotkacha
Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu
Relangi Mavayya’s Grandfather (Photo)
Nam Naadu
1969
Dasara Bullodu
1971
Anarkali
Akbar
Velugu Needalu
Rao Bahadur Venkataramaiah
Bala Bharatam
Bheesma
Mangalya Balam
Papa Rao
Kalasi Unte Kaladu Sukham
Pattabhi Ramayya
Padandi Munduku
1962
Pandanti Kapuram
Narayana Rao
Lakshmi Nivasam
Subbaiah
Kumudham
1961
Padikkadha Medhai
1960
Chadarangam
1967
Devadasu
Narayana Rao
Main Bhi Ladki Hoon
Lalaji
Gundamma Katha
Ramabhadrayya
Alladin and the Wonderful Lamp
1957
Pellinaati Pramanalu
Bheemasena Rao
Pathala Bhairavi
Nepala Mantrikudu
Padithal Mattum Podhuma
1961
Irumbu Thirai
Mohanarangam
Vikramarka Vijayam
1971
Server Sundaram
Guest Appearance
Jayasimha
Rudrasimha
Sampoorna Ramayanam
Ravana
Naanum Oru Penn
1963
Yashoda Krishna
Kamsa
Pandava Vanavasamu
Duryodhana
Manjal Mahimai
1959
Bhookailasa
Mayasura
Annai
1962
Iruvar Ullam
Neethimanickam
Prema Nagar
1971
Pelli Chesi Choodu
Dhoopati Viyanna
Matharkula Manikkam
1956
Adi Parasakthi
Dhakshan
Sati Sulochana (Indrajeet)
Ravana
Palletooru
Ganapathi
Annaiyin Aanai
1958
Chandraharam
Mali
Narthanasala
Keechaka
Kai Kodutha Deivam
Mahadevan
Papam Pasivadu
1972
Nitchaya Thamboolam
1961
Enga Veettu Pillai
Ranganadhan Pillai
Missamma
Gopalam
Vasantha Maligai
1972
Sivandha Mann
Inspector General Chandrasekar
Appu Chesi Pappu Koodu
Mukunda Rao
Vidivelli
Wealthy Man
Bandha Pasam
1962
Aathma Bandhuvu
Father
Punyavathi
Professor Krishna Rao
Kulavilakku
1969
Bhookailas
Mayasura
Chakravakam
Dharma Rayudu
Tata Manavadu
1973
Thodi Kodallu
Kutumba Rao
Karpagam
Nallasivam
Ramudu Bheemudu
Ranganatham
Pachai Vilakku
1964
Bobbili Yuddham
Tandra Paparayudu
Charana Daasi
Raghavaiah
Bhatti Vikramarka
Mantra Siddha
Vazhkai Padagu
Rajan's Father
Bhaktha Prahlada
Hiranyakashipu
Raja
1972
Dakshayagnam
Daksha Prajapathi
Parthiban Kanavu
Maamalar (Narasimhavarman I)
Shavukaru
Sunnapu Ranga
Pempudu Koduku
1953
Saradha
1962
Ramu
Gopalam
Sangham
Seetharamanjaneya Das
Thenum Paalum
Somanathan
Palletoori Pilla
Dhartha
Chintamani
Bhavani Shankarudu
Bala Nagamma
Mayala Marathi
Sabaash Meena
Appadurai
Chandirani
Prachandudu