Samarla Venkata Ranga Rao | |
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SV Rangarao in his early career |
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Born | 3 July 1918 Nuzvidu, Andhra Pradesh, India |
Died | 18 July 1974 (aged 56) Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India |
Cause of death | Heart attack |
Other names | SVR, Vishwanata Chakravarthi |
Occupation | Actor |
Known for | Cinema |
Spouse | Leelavathi |
Samarla Venkata Ranga Rao (Telugu: సామర్ల వెంకట రంగారావు) (3 July 1918 – 18 July 1974) Popularly Known as S.V.R. was an Indian Theater actor, Tollywood actor, director and producer. He was popularly known as "Viswa Nata Chakravarthi." He was known for portraying versatile roles like Ravana, Ghatotkacha, Duryodhana, Kamsa and Kichaka from Indian Mythology.
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Rao was born to Lakshmi and Koteswara Rao, an excise inspector at Nuzvidu town in Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh, India when World War I was drawing to a close. His mother, Lakshmi Narasayamma, a staunch devotee of Lord Venkateswara, named the boy after him.
The possessive father sent S.V.R. to the erstwhile Madras Presidency where he completed his schooling at Hindu College. At an early age of 12, the boy showed immense interest in stage action. While doing his B.Sc, the mind of youthful S.V.R. was always preoccupied with the thoughts of stage-plays and film acting. Soon after graduation, S.V.R. could get a job in the Fire Service in the cadre of an officer at Machilipatnam (Bandar). Two objectives were still clear in his mind, which were to do M.Sc. and to take active part in dramas and films. He won the Best Actor Award for his portrayal of Keechaka in Nartanasala at the Indonesian Film Festival at Jakarta in 1963.
S.V.R. got an invitation from one of his relatives, B.V. Ramanandam, to play the hero in his film "Varoodhini". He immediately abandoned the job, and left for Salem to join the celluloid world. In fact, it’s a great beginning for the young man. The film "Varoodhini" was released, and in a few days people began to forget that they had ever seen such a movie. No producer dared to offer a role to him.
Soon, S.V.R. was disillusioned with the filmdom and left the Madras presidency and reached Jamshedpur, where he took up the job as a budget assistant with the Tata Company. However, his love for dramas began to bloom multifold. At this juncture, he was married to Leelavathi Badeti on 27 December 1947. In the days that followed, S.V.R. was given an opportunity to play the villain in the film, "Palletoori Pilla", produced by B. A. Subba Rao. Unfortunately, when S.V.R. was about to take a train to Chennai, his father expired. After performing the final rites, S.V.R. reached Chennai, but somebody had knocked away the villain role.
Opportunity tapped at S.V.R.'s door through Vijaya Pictures, which offered him the most memorable "Nepala Mantrikudu" role in "Pathala Bhairavi." Immediately, he came into the limelight, followed by "Pelli Chesi Choodu" (1952). Its Tamil version was also played by him.
Maya Bazaar and Nartanasala are among his movies. SVR was the second Indian actor to get an international award in Jakarta International Film Festival for his role of Keechaka in Nartanasala.
His compatriot Gummadi Venkateswara Rao once exclaimed "Fortunate are we, to have SVR born in India but SVR is unfortunate to have been born here... If he had the fortune of being born in the West he might have been one of the top actors of all time in the world".
He had a coronary failure at Hyderabad in February 1974. He was admitted to Osmania General Hospital, where he recovered with an advise to rest. Another attack on July 18, 1974 at Chennai proved fatal and the actor was dead before any medical treatment could be instituted.[1]
He has married Leelavati, daughter of Badeti Venkata Ramaiah and Koteswaramma on December 27, 1947. They had three children: two daughters, Vijaya and Prameela and a son, Koteswara Rao.
He has been felicitated by many Governmental and Cultural organizations across Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. He was given the distinguished names as Viswa Nata Chakravarti, Nata Sarvabhouma, Nata Sekhara, Nata Simha.[2]
This is partial filmography of him. Please help expand the list.
Year | Film | Language | Character |
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1946 | Varoodhini | Telugu | Debut film |
1949 | Mana Desam | Telugu | |
1950 | Bhale Papa | Telugu | Blind person |
1950 | Palletoori Pilla | Telugu | Taatha |
1950 | Shavukaru | Telugu | Sunnapu Rangadu |
1950 | Tirugubatu | Telugu | |
1951 | Akasharaju | Telugu | |
1951 | Navvite Navaratnalu | Telugu | |
1951 | Patala Bhairavi | Tamil | |
1951 | Patala Bhairavi | Telugu | Nepala Mantrikudu |
1952 | Daasi | Telugu | |
1952 | Kalyanam Panni Paar | Tamil | |
1952 | Palletooru | Telugu | Ganapati |
1952 | Pelli Chesi Choodu | Telugu | Zamindar Veeyanna |
1953 | Bratuku Theruvu | Telugu | Zamindar |
1953 | Chandirani | Hindi | |
1953 | Chandirani | Tamil | |
1953 | Chandirani | Telugu | Prachandudu |
1953 | Devdas | Tamil | |
1953 | Devadasu | Telugu | Zamindar Narayana Rao |
1953 | Jatakam | Telugu | |
1953 | Jatakaphalam | Telugu | |
1953 | Pardesi | Telugu | Rangadu |
1953 | Pempudu Koduku | Telugu | |
1953 | Poongothai | Tamil | |
1953 | Rohini | Telugu | |
1953 | Sangham | Telugu |
"Aata Bommalu" Telugu |
1954 | Annadata | Telugu | |
1954 | Anta Manavalle | Telugu | Jagannatham |
1954 | Bangaru Papa | Telugu | Kotayya |
1954 | Chandraharam | Tamil | |
1954 | Chandraharam | Telugu | Dhoomakethu |
1954 | Chakrapani | Telugu | |
1954 | Rajee Naa Pranam | Telugu | |
1954 | Raju Peda | Telugu | King |
1954 | Thuli Visham | Tamil | |
1955 | Anarkali | Telugu | Akbar |
1955 | Guna Sundari | Tamil | |
1955 | Jayasimha | Telugu | Rudrasimha |
1955 | Missamma | Telugu | Gopalam |
1955 | Missiamma | Tamil | |
1955 | Santanam | Telugu | Rangayya |
1956 | Charana Daasi | Telugu | Raghavaiah |
1956 | Chintamani | Telugu | |
1956 | Kanakatara | Telugu | |
1956 | Naan Petra Selvam | ||
1957 | Allauddin Adhbhuta Deepam | Telugu | Jaffer, the magician |
1957 | Allavudeenum Arputha Vilakkum | Tamil | |
1957 | Maya Bazaar | Telugu | Ghatotkajudu |
1957 | Pathni Daivam | Tamil | |
1957 | Repu Neede | Telugu | |
1957 | Sarangadhara | Telugu | Raja Raja Narendrudu |
1957 | Sati Savitri | Telugu | Yamudu |
1957 | Saubhagyavati | Tamil | |
1957 | Todi Kodallu | Telugu | Kutumaba Rao |
1957 | Vinayaka Chaviti | Telugu | Narakasurudu |
1958 | Appu Chesi Pappu Koodu | Telugu | Diwan Bahadur Mukunda Rao |
1958 | Bhookailas | Telugu | Maayasura |
1958 | Bommala Pelli | Telugu | |
1958 | Chenchu Lakshmi | Tamil | Hiranyakashipa |
1958 | Chenchu Lakshmi | Telugu | Hiranyakashipudu |
1958 | Kadan Vaangi Kalyanam | Tamil | |
1958 | Mangalya Balam | Telugu | |
1958 | Pelli Naati Pramanalu | Telugu | Bheemasena Rao |
1958 | Sabash Meena | Tamil | |
1959 | Aval Yar | Tamil | |
1959 | Bhakta Ambarisha | Telugu | |
1959 | Jayabheri | Telugu | Vijayananda Ramagajapati |
1959 | Kalaivanan | Tamil | |
1959 | Krishna Leelalu | Telugu | |
1959 | Nammina Bantu | Telugu | |
1959 | Raja Sevai | Tamil | |
1959 | Rechukka Pagatichukka | Telugu | |
1959 | Vazhkai Oppantham | Tamil | |
1960 | Bhatti Vikramarka | Telugu | Maantrikudu |
1960 | Deepavali | Telugu | Narakasurudu |
1960 | Devanthakudu | Telugu | |
1960 | Harishchandra | Telugu | Harischandra Maharaju |
1960 | Irumputhirai | Tamil | |
1960 | Mahakavi Kalidasu | Telugu | Bhoja Raju |
1960 | Mamaku Tagga Alludu | Telugu | |
1960 | Padikkatha Methai | Tamil | |
1960 | Parthiban Kanavu | Tamil | King Narasimhavarman I |
1960 | Petra Manam | Tamil | |
1960 | Vidiveli | Tamil | |
1961 | Ellam Unnakkaga | Tamil | |
1961 | Kalasivunte Kaladu Sukham | Telugu | |
1961 | Kappalottiya Thamizhan | Tamil | |
1961 | Krishna Prema | Telugu | |
1961 | Pelli Thambulam | Telugu | |
1961 | Sati Sulochana | Telugu | |
1961 | Usha Parinayam | Telugu | Banasura |
1962 | Atma Bandhuvu | Telugu | Father |
1962 | Bandha Pasam | Tamil | |
1962 | Dakshayagnam | Tamil | Daksha |
1962 | Dakshayagnam | Telugu | Dakshudu |
1962 | Gaali Medalu | Telugu | |
1962 | Gundamma Katha | Telugu | Ramabhadraiah |
1962 | Kaathiruntha Kangal | Tamil | |
1962 | Manchi Manasulu | Telugu | |
1962 | Manithan Maravillai | Tamil | |
1962 | Padandi Munduku | Telugu | |
1962 | Sri Srikakula Andhra Mahavishnuvu Katha | Telugu | Suchandrasena Maharaju |
1962 | Tiger Ramudu | Telugu | |
1962 | Visha Binduvu | Telugu | |
1963 | Iruvar Ullam | Tamil | |
1963 | Karpagam | Tamil | |
1963 | Narthanasala | Telugu | Keechakudu |
1963 | Penchina Prema | Telugu | |
1963 | Thobuttuvulu | Telugu | |
1964 | Bobbili Yudham | Telugu | Tandra Paparayudu |
1964 | Kai Kodutha Deivam | Tamil | |
1964 | Maain Bhi Ladki Hun | Hindi | |
1964 | Murali Krishna | Telugu | Father of Murali |
1964 | Ramudu Bheemudu | Telugu | |
1964 | Server Sundaram | Tamil | |
1964 | Velugu Needalu | Telugu | Rao Bahadur Venkataramaiah |
1965 | Aadabrathuku | Telugu | |
1965 | Naadi Aada Janme | Telugu | |
1965 | Pandava Vanavasam | Telugu | Duryodhanudu |
1965 | Sati Sakkubai | Telugu | |
1965 | Todu Needa | Telugu | |
1966 | Chilaka Gorinka | Telugu | |
1966 | Kumari Penn | Tamil | Grandfather of Shyamala |
1966 | Mohini Bhasmasura | ||
1966 | Ramu | Telugu | |
1967 | Bhakta Prahlada | Tamil | |
1967 | Bhakta Prahlada | Telugu | Hiraynakashipudu |
1967 | Chadarangam | Telugu | |
1967 | Rahasyam | Telugu | |
1967 | Thaikku Thalaimagan | Tamil | Father of Malathi |
1968 | Bandhavyalu | Telugu | |
1968 | Bandhipotu Dongalu | Telugu | Bandipotu Malludora |
1968 | Lakshmi Nivasam | Telugu | |
1969 | Mooga Nomu | Telugu | |
1971 | Dasara Bullodu | Telugu | |
1971 | Prem Nagar | Telugu | Zamindar |
1971 | Sampoorna Ramayanam | Telugu | Ravana |
1971 | Vidhyarthigale Ithile Ithile | Tamil | Principal |
1972 | Bala Bharatam | Telugu | Bheeshma |
1972 | Iddaru Ammayilu | Telugu | Lawyer Narayan Rao |
1972 | Koduku Kodalu | Telugu | |
1972 | Pandanti Kapuram | Telugu | Head of the family |
1972 | Papam Pasivaadu | Telugu | Venugopal |
1972 | Tata Manavadu | Telugu | Grandfather Rangaiah |
1972 | Vasantha Maligai | Tamil | |
1973 | Devudu Chesina Manushulu | Telugu | |
1974 | Andaru Dongale | Telugu | Chanti Babu |
1974 | Bangaru Kalalu | Telugu | |
1974 | Chakravakam | Telugu | |
1974 | Gali Patalu | Telugu | |
1974 | Inti Kodalu | Telugu | |
1974 | Premalu Pellilu | Telugu | |
1974 | Sivakamyin Selvan | Tamil | |
1974 | Yashoda Krishna | Telugu | Kamsa |