The Indian film actor, director, and producer, Samarla Venkata Ranga Rao, widely known as S.V.R, was born today on 3rd July 1918. He is remembered for his works in Telugu and Tamil cinema.

Rao was born in Nuzvidu, Andhra Pradesh to Lakshmi Narasayamma and Samarla Koteswara Rao. After graduating from Hindu College, he got an invitation from one of his relatives, B.V. Ramanandam, to play the lead actor in his film Varoodhini. It was a great beginning for the young man.

Rao was a versatile actor, explored himself in character roles all through his career. He was referred to as "Viswa Nata Chakravarthi". He was a five-time recipient of the Rashtrapati Award, as well as the 1963 winner of an Indonesian Film Festival Best Actor Award for his work in Nartanasala. Also an acclaimed director, he received the Nandi Award for Best Feature Film for both Chadarangam (1967) and Bandhavyalu (1968).

India Postal Department has issued 500 Paisa commemorative postage stamps, to honor this pioneer and the finest method actor of India in 2013.

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