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 and Tamil cinema. Widely recognized as one of the finest Indian method actors, Rao was popularly known as "Viswa Nata Chakravarthi." He was known for his natural acting and for portraying versatile roles of Hindu mythological characters like Ravana, Ghatotkacha, Duryodhana, Kamsa and Kichaka from Indian Mythology. In 1963, He garnered the Best Actor Award for his portrayal of Kichaka in Nartanasala at the Afro-Asian Film Festival Held in Jakarta. He has garnered the erstwhile Rashtrapati Award, five times for acting in Telugu and Tamil cinema.

Biography

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.