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Samarla Venkata Ranga Rao was a South Indian actor. He has an important place in the film history of South India (both in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh). He was an internationally recognised actor.
He was considered to be a versatile actor and the first actor of his kind with the famous mannerism "orey dongrey" from the film "Jagath jettilu" he is the household name in Andhra Pradesh. He died on July 18, 1974 suffering a severe cardiac arrest. But, he continues live in the annals of Tollywood and Kollywood film history.
Early life
Samarla Venkata Ranga Rao (SV Ranga Rao) was born on July 3 1918 at Nujividu village in Krishna district, when the World War I was drawing to a close. His mother Lakshmi Narasayamma, a staunch devotee of Lord Venkateshwara, christened the boy after Him -- Venkata Ranga Rao. Father Koteswara Rao was an excise inspector.
The possessive father sent SVR 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. Studying B.Sc, but the mind of youthful SVR was always preoccupied with the thoughts of stage-plays and film acting. Immediately after graduation, SVR could get a job in the Fire Service in the cadre of an officer. Two objectives were still clear in his mind -- to do MSc and to take active part in dramas and films.
Film Career
SVR got an invitation from one of his relatives BV Ramanandam to play the hero in his film "Varoodhudu". 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 "Varoodhudu" 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, SVR was disillusioned with the filmdom and left the Madras presidency and reached Jemshedpur, 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 on December 27, 1947. In the days that followed, SVR was given an opportunity to play the villain in the film "Palletoori Pilla", produced by BV Subba Rao. Unfortunately when SVR was about to take a train to Chennai, his father expired. After performing the final rites, SVR reached Chennai, but somebody had knocked away the villain role.
Luck tapped at SVR's door through Vijaya Theatres, which offered him the most memorable "Nepali Mantrika" role in "Pathala Bhairavi." Immediately he came into the limelight, followed by Pellichesi Choodu (1952). Its Tamil version was also played by him. Within a short time, SVR received appreciation from both Tamil and Telugu audience.
He almost acted every charecter in history and even the film people say that the all time great heores like Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao(NTR) and MGR copied his style of acting. The iconic status did not reach him so easily. He struggled a lot and from that struggle born a great actor of all times. Mayabazar and Missamma are among his famous movies. His dialogue delivery cannot be matched with that of any film personlaity,he can deliver dialogues even written in Sanskrit with so ease and with complete emotions that no one can ever come closer to him in this aspect.
Filmography
Actor
- Yashoda Krishna (1975) .... Kamsa
- Devudu Chesina Manushulu (1973)
- Bala Bharatam (1972) .... Bheeshma
- Iddaru Ammayilu (1972) .... Narayan Rao
- Koduku Kodalu (1972)
- Pandanti Kapuram (1972)
- Papam Pasivaadu (1972)
- Tata Manavadu (1972)
- Dasara Bullodu (1971)
- Prem Nagar (1971) .... Zamindar
- Sampoorna Ramayanam (1971) .... Ravana
- Vidhyarthigale Ithile Ithile (1971) .... Principal
- Mooga Nomu (1969)
- Bandhavyalu (1968)
- Bhakta Prahlada (1967/I) .... Hiraynakashipudu
- Bhakta Prahlada (1967/II)
- Chadarangam (1967)
- Rahasyam (1967)
- Thaikku Thalaimagan (1967) .... Malathi's Father
- Chilaka Gorinka (1966)
- Kumari Penn (1966) .... Shyamala's Grandfather
- Naadi Aada Janme (1965)
- Bobbili Yudham (1964) .... Tandra Paparayudu
- Kai Kodutha Deivam (1964)
- Murali Krishna (1964) .... Murali's Father
- Ramudu Bheemudu (1964)
- Velugu Needalu (1964) .... Rao Bahadur Venkataramaiah
- Narthanasala (1963) .... Keechakudu
- Iruvar Ullam (1963)
- Penchina Prema (1963)
- Gundamma Katha (1962) .... Ramabhadraiah
- Dakshayagnam (1962/I) .... Dakshudu
- Manchi Manasulu (1962)
- Manithan Maravillai (1962)
- Sri Srikakula Andhra Mahavishnuvu Katha (1962) .... Suchandrasena Maharaju
- Kalasivunte Kaladu Sukham (1961)
- Sati Sulochana (1961)
- Pandava Vanavasam (1961/I) .... Duryodhanudu
- Usha Parinayam (1961)
- Deepavali (1960) .... Narakasurudu
- Harishchandra (1960) .... Harischandra Maharaju
- Mahakavi Kalidasu (1960/I) .... Bhoja Raju
- Padikkatha Methai (1960)
- Parthiban Kanavu (1960) .... King Narasimhavarman I
- Jayabheri (1959) .... Vijayananda Ramagajapati
- Krishna Leelalu (1959)
- Nammina Bantu (1959)
- Pelli Naati Pramanalu (1958) .... Bheemasena Rao
- Bhookailas (1958) .... Maayasura
- Appu Chesi Pappu Koodu (1958) .... Diwan Bahadur Mukunda Rao
- Chenchu Lakshmi (1958/I) .... Hiranyakashipudu
- Chenchu Lakshmi (1958/II) .... Hiranyakashapu
- Mangalya Balam (1958)
- Maya Bazaar (1957/I) .... Ghatotkajudu
- Allauddin Adhbhuta Deepam (1957)
- Maya Bazaar (1957/II) .... Ghatotkajudu
- Sarangadhara (1957) .... Raja Raja Narendrudu
- Sati Savitri (1957/I)
- Todi Kodallu (1957) .... Kutumaba Rao
- Vinayaka Chaviti (1957) .... Narakasurudu
- Charana Daasi (1956) .... Raghavaiah
- Kanakatara (1956)
- Jayasimha (1955)
- Santanam (1955) .... Rangayya
- Anarkali (1955) .... Akbar
- Missamma (1955) .... Gopalam
- Missiamma (1955)
- Chandraharam (1954) .... Dhoomakethu
- Anta Manavalle (1954) .... Jagannatham
- Bangaru Papa (1954) .... Kotayya
- Chakrapani (1954)
- Bratuku Theruvu (1953) .... Zamindar
- Chandirani (1953/II)
- Devadasu (1953) .... Zamindar Narayana Rao
- Jatakam (1953)
- Jatakaphalam (1953)
- Pardesi (1953) .... Rangadu
- Daasi (1952)
- Palletooru (1952) .... Ganapati
- Pelli Chesi Choodu (1952) .... Zamindar Veeyanna
- Patala Bhairavi (1951) .... Nepala Mantrikudu
- Navvite Navaratnalu (1951)
- Palletoori Pilla (1950) .... Taatha
- Shavukaru (1950) .... Sunnapu Rangadu
Director
- Bandhavyalu (1968)
- Chadarangam (1967)
Producer
- Bandhavyalu (1968) (producer)
- Chadarangam (1967) (producer)
- Naadi Aada Janme (1965) (producer)
Awards
- He won an international award for acting for portraying Keechaka in the movie Nartana Saala (1963) at the Jakarta Film Festival in Indonesia.
Trivia
- SVR's relatives and family circles ridiculed him, saying that he was a fool to go after chances in cinemas by shunning the government jobs.
- Legendary LV Prasad gave SVR the real break by extending him all the moral support and encouragement.
- The very mention of "Maya Bazaar" brings the picture of SVR as Ghatothkacha in the minds of Andhras and Tamils.
- His role as "Nepali Mantrik" in "Pathala Bhairavi" will continue to be remembered by millions of people.
- As Keechaka in "Narthanasala", SVR proved himself to be the king when it comes to acting the mythological films.
- He used to die for big-game hunting sporting an excellent fire-arm that he procured from a friend in the British Indian army. One day, he was hunting a deer. But suddenly, the deer stopped running and straight looked into the eyes of SVR, as if questioning him "What will you get, if you kill me?" That’s the end, and thereafter SVR never took up the gun again.