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S.V. Ranga Rao

S.V. Ranga Rao

Actor · Died July 18, 1974, aged 56 · Nuzvidu, Krishna dist, Andhra Pradesh, India

Samarla Venkata Ranga Rao (July 3, 1918 – July 18, 1974), known professionally as S. V. Ranga Rao or S.V.R., was an Indian actor, director, and producer who worked predominantly in Telugu and Tamil cinema. After early work on stage and an initial film appearance in *Varudhini* (1946), he gained widespread recognition as the sorcerer Nepala Manthrikudu in the fantasy swashbuckler *Pathala Bhairavi* (1951). Over the 1950s and 1960s, he became a central character actor and antagonist across South Indian cinema, playing major roles in the social comedy *Missamma* (1955), the historical drama *Tenali Ramakrishna* (1956), the fantasy film *Mayabazar* (1957), and the comedy *Gundamma Katha* (1962). For his portrayal of Keechaka in the mythological film *Narthanasala* (1963), he won the Best Actor Award at the 3rd Afro-Asian Film Festival in Jakarta. In addition to Telugu cinema, Ranga Rao worked extensively in Tamil productions, with prominent roles in *Annai* (1962), *Karpagam* (1963), *Enga Veettu Pillai* (1965), and the historical biographical film *Kappalottiya Thamizhan* (1961). In the late 1960s, he expanded into directing and producing, helming the social dramas *Chadarangam* (1967) and *Bandhavyalu* (1968), both of which won Nandi Awards. His later screen appearances included *Dasara Bullodu* (1971), *Sampoorna Ramayanam* (1972), *Tata Manavadu* (1973), and *Andaru Dongale* (1974), concluding with the posthumously released devotional feature *Yashoda Krishna* (1975).

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
July 3, 1918
Died
July 18, 1974 (aged 56)
From
Nuzvidu, Krishna dist, Andhra Pradesh, India
Works as
Actor
Titles
10 on MovieCove · 117 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 38 days to Oct 27Down 14% in 30 days

What are S.V. Ranga Rao's films like?

Across their 10 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Morality.

Genres

Drama6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 51st percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 96th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
62%
Morality
23%
Self
8%
Society
4%
Survival
3%
Family bonds8 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love3 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice2 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth2 titles, browse their movies with this themeSacrifice2 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 10 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 4 · Serious 3 · Dark 3

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 6 · Stylized 2 · Heightened 2

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 3 · Charged 7 · Intense 0

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 7 · Shifting 3 · Whiplash 0

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 7 · Some laughs 2 · Funny 1

Slow burn: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their slow burn movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 6 · Even-paced 4 · Relentless 0

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 8 · Engaged 2 · Full focus 0

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 10 · Open-ended 0 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

8 analyzed roles

Usually the Shadow: 3 of 8 analyzed roles.

Shadow
3 of 8
Mentor
2 of 8
Hero
1 of 8
Trickster
1 of 8
Ally
1 of 8
Show the 8 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Melancholic
5
Warm
3
Hopeful
3
Tense
3
Joyful
3
Other
5

How their films linger

Hopeful7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end

  • Happy7
  • Bittersweet3

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch S.V. Ranga Rao's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 9 of their 10 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service.

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for S.V. Ranga Rao's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

117 credits, 10 with a MovieCove page.

  • Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Relangi Mavayya’s Grandfather (Photo)

  • Yashoda Krishna (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    as Kamsa

  • Andaru Dongale (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Chanti Babu

  • Chakravakam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Dharma Rayudu

  • Abhimanavanthulu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    as Raghav Rao

  • Anbu Sagodharargal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    as Dharmaraj

  • Tata Manavadu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Actor

  • Koduku Kodalu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    as Justice Raghava Rao

  • Bala Bharatam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    as Bheesma

  • Papam Pasivadu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Actor

  • Vasantha Maligai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Actor

  • Sampoorna Ramayanam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    as Ravana

  • Raja (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Actor

  • Pandanti Kapuram (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    as Narayana Rao

  • Adi Parasakthi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    as Dhakshan

  • Prema Nagar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Actor

  • Dasara Bullodu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Actor

  • Thenum Paalum (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    as Somanathan

  • Vikramarka Vijayam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Actor

  • Desamante Manushuloyi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    Actor

  • Sivandha Mann (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    as Inspector General Chandrasekar

  • Nam Naadu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Actor

  • Kulavilakku (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Actor

  • Mooga Nomu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    as Rao Bahadur Raja Veera Venkata Satyanarayana

  • Lakshmi Nivasam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    as Subbaiah

  • Chinnari Papalu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Actor

  • Ramu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    as Gopalam

  • Veeranjaneya (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    as Ravana

  • Sukha Dukhalu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Actor

  • Rahasyam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    as Rakthabhisha

  • Punyavathi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    as Professor Krishna Rao

  • Vasantha Sena (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    as Samsthanaka

  • Pesum Deivam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    as Thiruvenkadam

  • Thaaiku Thalaimagan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Actor

  • Bhakta Prahlada(1967)

    as Hiranyakashipu

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • Chadarangam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Director · Actor

  • Selvam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Actor

  • Kumari Penn (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    as Ranganathan

  • Vazhkai Padagu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    as Rajan's Father

  • Enga Veettu Pillai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    as Ranganadhan Pillai

  • Pandava Vanavasamu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    as Duryodhana

  • Server Sundaram(1964)

    as Guest Appearance

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • Main Bhi Ladki Hoon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    as Lalaji

  • Kai Kodutha Deivam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    as Mahadevan

  • Ramudu Bheemudu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    as Ranganatham

  • Pachai Vilakku (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Actor

  • Bobbili Yuddham (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    as Tandra Paparayudu

  • Annai Illam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Actor

  • Karpagam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    as Nallasivam

  • Narthanasala (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    as Keechaka

  • Kungumam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Actor

  • Naanum Oru Penn (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Actor

  • Iruvar Ullam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    as Neethimanickam

  • Annai(1962)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Bandha Pasam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Actor

  • Kaathiruntha Kangal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Actor

  • Gundamma Katha (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    as Ramabhadrayya

  • Dakshayagnam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    as Daksha Prajapathi

  • Manchi Manasulu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    as Ananda Rao

  • Saradha (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Actor

  • Padandi Munduku (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Actor

  • Aathma Bandhuvu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    as Father

  • Tiger Ramudu(1962)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Padithal Mattum Podhuma (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Actor

  • Kalasi Unte Kaladu Sukham (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    as Pattabhi Ramayya

  • Kumudham (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Actor

  • Sati Sulochana (Indrajeet) (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    as Ravana

  • Nitchaya Thamboolam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Actor

  • Kappalottiya Thamizhan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    as Vinch

  • Velugu Needalu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    as Rao Bahadur Venkataramaiah

  • Vidivelli (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    as Wealthy Man

  • Bhatti Vikramarka (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    as Mantra Siddha

  • Irumbu Thirai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    as Mohanarangam

  • Naan Kanda Swargam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    as Yamaraj

  • Padikkatha Methai(1960)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Parthiban Kanavu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    as Maamalar (Narasimhavarman I)

  • Mahakavi Kalidasu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    as Raja Bhoja

  • Nammina Bantu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Actor

  • Bala Nagamma (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    as Mayala Marathi

  • Appu Chesi Pappu Koodu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    as Mukunda Rao

  • Mangalya Balam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    as Papa Rao

  • Manjal Mahimai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Actor

  • Pelli Naati Pramanalu(1958)

    as Bheemasena Rao

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Kadan Vaangi Kalyanam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Actor

  • Sarangadhara (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    as Narendran

  • Thirumanam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Actor

  • Annaiyin Aanai(1958)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Sabaash Meena (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    as Appadurai

  • Bhookailas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    as Mayasura

  • Bhookailasa (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    as Mayasura

  • Saarangadhara (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    as Rajaraja Narendra Chalukya

  • Soubhagyavathi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    as Maha Bhairavan

  • Alladin and the Wonderful Lamp(1957)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Mayabazar(1957)

    as Ghatotkacha

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Thodi Kodallu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    as Kutumba Rao

  • Charana Daasi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    as Raghavaiah

  • Matharkula Manikkam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    Actor

  • Marma Veeran (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    as Guest Appearance

  • Chintamani (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    as Bhavani Shankarudu

  • Gunasundari (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Actor

  • Jayasimha (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    as Rudrasimha

  • Anarkali (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    as Akbar

  • Bangaru Papa(1954)

    as Kotayya

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Missamma (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    as Gopalam

  • A Drop of Poison (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    as Veeramarthandan

  • Sangham (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    as Seetharamanjaneya Das

  • Chandraharam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    as Mali

  • Pempudu Koduku (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    Actor

  • Chandirani (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    as Prachandudu

  • Devadasu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    as Narayana Rao

  • Poongothai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    as Rangadu

  • Palletooru (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)

    as Ganapathi

  • Kalyanam Panni Paar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)

    Actor

  • Pelli Chesi Choodu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)

    as Dhoopati Viyanna

  • Pathala Bhairavi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    as Nepala Mantrikudu

  • Palletoori Pilla (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    as Dhartha

  • Shavukaru (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    as Sunnapu Ranga

Career shape

Star power in the 62nd percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 116 titles from 1950 to 2013.

Highest rated

Mayabazar (1957)

Midcredits 99th

Most popular right now

Bangaru Papa (1954)

Film career

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting116 of 116: 115 only acting, 1 with another role · typical Midcredits score58thDirecting1 of 116: 0 only directing, 1 with another role

By decade

1950s39 · acting1960s57 · 57 acting · 1 crew1970s19 · acting2010s1 · acting

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored.

How do S.V. Ranga Rao's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 56th percentile, the median of all 10; across their 10 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 54th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

54thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 10

Approval · how many liked their films

55thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 10

Reach · how many have seen their films

9thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 10

Midcredits score across 10 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up3
  • 50th to 74th3
  • 25th to 49th3
  • Below 25th1

Shape of the crowd

4 of their 10 titles are Divisive.

  • Universally Loved1
  • Divisive4
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser1
  • Mixed3

Most divisive · actor

Alladin and the Wonderful Lamp (1957)

96th percentile spread · 38% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Mayabazar (1957)

Midcredits 99th · 93% liked

Reviewers score the acting 90/100 in their films, across 3 reviewed titles; fans 90, detractors 50. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Who does S.V. Ranga Rao work with?

People who share at least 2 of S.V. Ranga Rao's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Ramana Reddy shares the most, 3.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers

Producers