Remembering S V Ramnga Rao

“Samarla Venkata Ranga Rao (3 July 1918 – 18 July 1974), popularly known as S.V.R.Rao was known for his natural acting style, portraying complex social, biographical, and mythological characters such as Ghatotkacha in Maya Bazaar (1958) which is regarded as the “greatest Indian film of all time” by CNN-India Poll, and was screened at the 1957 International Film Festival of India and the Indonesian Film Festival; Mayasura in Bhookailas (1958); Bhoja in Mahakavi Kalidasu (1960) which won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Telugu. In 1964, Rao received the Best Actor Award for his portrayal of Kichaka in Nartanasala (1963) at the Third Afro-Asian Film Festival held in Jakarta,[5] becoming the only Indian actor to have garnered the honor.He then essayed Duryodhana in the blockbuster Pandava Vanavasamu (1965); Hiranyakashipu in Bhakta Prahlada (1967), which won the Nandi Award for Second Best Feature Film; and Ravana in Sampoorna Ramayanamu (1971) to name a few.