About S. V. Ranga Rao
Samarla Venkata Ranga Rao (3 July 1918 – 18 July 1974), popularly known as S. V. Ranga Rao and SVR, was an Indian actor and filmmaker who primarily worked in Telugu and Tamil films. He is regarded as one of the finest actors in the history of Indian cinema. He is known by the epithet "Viswa Nata Chakravarthi" (transl. "Emperor of Acting Universe") and was the earliest known character actor in South Indian cinema to achieve a star status. In a career spanning nearly three decades, Ranga Rao garnered various national and international honours. Ranga Rao was a method actor known for his natural acting style, portraying complex social, biographical, and mythological characters. Some of his most iconic roles include 'Nepala Manthrikudu', a tantric in Pathala Bhairavi (1951), Yama in Sati Savitri (1957), Ghatothkacha in Maya Bazaar (1957), Mayasura in Bhookailas (1958), and Bhoja in Mahakavi Kalidasu (1960). In 1964, he won the Best Actor Award at the third Afro-Asian Film Festival held in Jakarta for his portrayal of Kichaka in Nartanasala (1963), becoming the only Indian actor to have ever received the honour. His other notable performances include roles as Duryodhana in Pandava Vanavasam (1965), Hiranyakasipu in Bhakta Prahlada (1967), and Ravana in Sampoorna Ramayanam (1971). Ranga Rao's notable films as a character actor include Mana Desam (1949), Palletoori Pilla (1950), Devadasu (1953), Bangaru Papa (1954), Raju Peda (1954), Thodi Kodallu (1957), Chenchu Lakshmi (1958), Pelli Naati Pramanalu (1958), Nammina Bantu (1959), Gundamma Katha (1962), Sarada (1962), Aatma Bandhuvu (1962), Annai (1962), Karpagam (1963), Naanum Oru Penn (1963), Bobbili Yuddham (1964), Bandhavyalu (1968), Prema Nagar (1971), Dasara Bullodu (1971), Pandanti Kapuram (1972), Vasantha Maligai (1972), Thatha-Manavadu (1973), and Andaru Dongale (1974). In his honour, the Government of Andhra Pradesh instituted the S. V. Ranga Rao Award for Best Character Actor, which is presented annually to recognize outstanding performances in character roles. In a career spanning nearly three decades, he acted in over 160 films —109 in Telugu and 53 in Tamil.
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