
S. V. Ranga Rao
Born July 3, 1918 · 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).
Notable Appearances
More Movies

Thuli Visham

Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu

Velugu Needalu

Devadasu

Mayabazar

Mangalya Balam

Lakshmi Nivasam

Pellinaati Pramanalu

Irumbu Thirai

Main Bhi Ladki Hoon

Bala Bharatam

Pandanti Kapuram

Gundamma Katha

Padandi Munduku

Dasara Bullodu

Anarkali

Server Sundaram

Yashoda Krishna

Vikramarka Vijayam

Padikkadha Medhai

Padithal Mattum Podhuma

Naanum Oru Penn

Alladin and the Wonderful Lamp

Prema Nagar

Annai

Kumudham

Pandava Vanavasamu

Chadarangam

Pachai Vilakku

Bhookailasa

Kai Kodutha Deivam

Sivandha Mann

Pathala Bhairavi

Narthanasala

Kalasi Unte Kaladu Sukham

Annaiyin Aanai

Bhaktha Prahlada

Chakravakam

Bandha Pasam

Enga Veettu Pillai

Charana Daasi

Raja

Matharkula Manikkam

Vasantha Maligai

Manjal Mahimai

Bhookailas

Saradha

Iruvar Ullam

Appu Chesi Pappu Koodu

Ramu

Sampoorna Ramayanam

Shavukaru

Tata Manavadu

Missamma

Papam Pasivadu

Punyavathi

Dakshayagnam

Thenum Paalum

Pelli Chesi Choodu

Ramudu Bheemudu

Kulavilakku

Thodi Kodallu

Sati Sulochana (Indrajeet)

Parthiban Kanavu

Adi Parasakthi

Vazhkai Padagu

Chintamani

Vidivelli

Jayasimha

Karpagam

Sangham

Bala Nagamma

Nitchaya Thamboolam

Aathma Bandhuvu

Chandirani

Palletooru

Bobbili Yuddham

Sabaash Meena

Pempudu Koduku

Bhatti Vikramarka

Chandraharam




