S. V. Ranga Rao

S. V. Ranga Rao (born Samarla Venkata Ranga Rao; 3 July 1918 – 18 July 1974), popularly known as SVR, was an Indian film actor, producer, and director known for his works majorly 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. "Universal Emperor of Acting"). He was the earliest known character actor to have enjoyed a star status in South Indian cinema. 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 such as 'Nepala Manthrikudu', a tantric in Pathala Bhairavi (1951), Yama in Sati Savitri (1957), Ghatothkacha in Maya Bazaar (1957), Mayasura in Bhookailas (1958), Bhoja in Mahakavi Ka...