S. V. Ranga Rao

Samarla Venkata Ranga Rao
SV Ranga Rao's bust in Vijayawada
Born	3 July 1918 Nuzvidu, Krishna dist, Andhra Pradesh, India
Died	18 July 1974 (aged 56) Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Cause of death	Cardiac Arrest
Other names	SVR, Viswanata Chakravarthi
Occupation	Film Actor, Producer, Director
Spouse(s)	Leelavathi, [m. December 27, 1947]
Awards	Rashtrapati Award International Honor
Signature

Samarla Venkata Ranga Rao (3 July 1918 – 18 July 1974), popularly known as S.V.R., was an Indian film actor, director and producer known for his works in Telugu cinema and Tamil cinema. Regarded as one of the finest Indian method actors, Rao was popularly known as "Viswa Nata Chakravarthi". Throughout his film career, which spanned a total of thirty years, Rao garnered various National Honors, International honors, state Nandi Awards, and the Filmfare Special Award - South. In 1951 Rao appeared in the fantasy film, Pathala Bhairavi, screened at the first India International Film Festival, held in Mumbai on 24 January 1952. Rao received wide reception for his portrayal of Nepala Manthrikudu the tantric in the super-hit film.

Rao was known for his natural acting style, portraying complex social, biographical, and mythological characters such as Ghatotkacha in Maya Bazaar (1958) which is regarded as the "greatest Indian film of all time" by CNN-India Poll, and was screened at the 1957 International Film Festival of India and the Indonesian Film Festival; Mayasura in Bhookailas (1958); Bhoja in Mahakavi Kalidasu (1960) which won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu. In 1964, Rao received the Best Actor Award for his portrayal of Kichaka in Nartanasala (1963) at the Third Afro-Asian Film Festival held in Jakarta, becoming the only Indian actor to have garnered the honor. He then essayed Duryodhana in the blockbuster Pandava Vanavasamu (1965); Hiranyakashipu in Bhakta Prahlada (1967), which won the Nandi Award for Second Best Feature Film; and Ravana in Sampoorna Ramayanamu (1971) to name a few.