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