S V Ranga Rao
S V Ranga Rao, Popularly known as S V R was born in a middle class family in nuzividu, Krishna District of Andhra Pradesh on 3rd July 1918. His schooling was done at Madras (now called Chennai). At a very early age he developed passion for stage acting. After finishing his graduation (B.sc) he was appointed as an officer in Fire Service at Machilipatnam. At this stage of his life he was confused with two thoughts – Whether to go for higher studies or to enter in to the stage and film acting.
At this juncture he was offered with a hero role in the film “Varoodhini” through the reference of “Mr. B V Ramanadham”, his relative. He left the job and rushed for shooting at Salem. His dream for acting thus started. The movie “Varoodhini” was rated as an average movie and he could not get any immediate offers for films. He left Madras and joined the accounts department in Tata Company at Jamshedpur. His love for acting never slipped out of his thoughts.
After a gap he was offered with a main villain role in the film “Palletoori Pilla” (an ANR-NTR starrer) but at that time when he was called, could not reach the film schedule due to the sudden demise of his father. After a gap “B A Subba Rao” the director of the movie gave him a small role in the film. Much awaited opportunity came to S V R as a role of Nepali “Manthrikudu” in the Film “Pathala Bhairavi” in the banner of Vijaya Pictures. He impressed everybody with his best acting in that film and became popular overnight with his famous dialogue ”Sahasam cheyara dimbaka”. Then offers started flooding.
In the film “Mayabazar” he played the role of Ghatothkaja. This film was a success at box-office. The role of “Keechaka” in the film “Narthanasala” made him, internationally popular actor with an award of Best Actor at International Film Festival in Jakarta. He is the first Indian actor getting an International award. His grade as a born actor multiplied with his performance as “ Hiranyakasipudu” in “Bhaktha Prahlada” and as “Ravanasurudu” in “Bapu’s Sampoorna Ramayanam”. Yet again he got the opportunity as “Manthrikudu” in the film Rahasyam produced by B S Ranga. He was suitable for any role because his hefty personality and delivered action with ease and in his own free style.
He was at his best as caring and passionate father in the film “Gundamma Katha” and a caring brother’s role in “Pandantikapuram”.
In the film “Andaru Dongale” A remake Of Hindi “Victoria 203” S V R delivered his best acting, beating out the star actor Ashok Kumar who Played the same role in hindi version.
Absent minded Lawyers role in the movie Thodikodallu is simply superb.
As a grand father in the movies “Bangaru Papa”, “Ramu” and “Thatha-Manavadu” he has impressed one and all. He can be termed as the only self to fit in those roles.
His amazing performance in the role of blind major in the film “Sukha Dhukhalu” elevated him to the new heights in the telugu cinema.
He has given excellent performance in the role of diabetic father-in-law in the film “Nadi Adajanma”. The film “monagallaku Mongadu” by Modern theaters elevated him to the new heights with his role Katthula Ratthayya. The dialogue “Katthula Ratthayya Pacchinetthuru Tragutha” S V R is still remembered.
Under his own Banner he has produced and directed two films “Chadarangam” and “Bandhavyalu”, Both the films have won “Nandi” awards as best feature films in the years 1963 and 1964.He has also won the Film fare award (South) in the year 1963 in the best actor category for his action in “Narthanasala”.
Some of his famous films are listed below-
1. Narantasala
2. Palletooru Pilla
3. Shavkaru
4. Pathala Bhairavi
5. Maya Bazar
6. Gundamma Katha
7. Chadarangam
8. Pellichesichoodu
9. Ramu
10. Rahasyam
11. Mona gallaku mona gadu
12. Sukha duhkkalu
13. Appu chesi papu kuudu
14. Bhaktha prahalada
15. Pandava Vanavasam
16. Bandavyalu
17. Bangaru Papa
This great actor died at an early age of 56 on 18th july 1974 due to cardiac arrest in Chennai.
It is quite surprising that this multitalented great actor who ruled the telugu cinema industry for over three decades Could not bag honor Of Padmasri Award from Central Govt. or could not pocket Raghupathi Venkkaiah Award of the State govt.
Through this column the “Business of Tollywood” we salute this great actor with loads of gratitude.
