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 cinema and Tamil cinema. Regarded as one of the finest method actors in the history of cinema and one of the greatest actors in Telugu Cinema, Rao was popularly known as "Viswa Nata Chakravarthi". Throughout his film career, which spanned a total of thirty years, Rao garnered various National Honors, International Honors, State Nandi Awards, and the Filmfare Special Award - South. In 1951, Rao appeared in the fantasy film, Pathala Bhairavi, screened at the first India International Film Festival, held in Mumbai on 24 January 1952. Rao received wide reception for his portrayal of Nepala Manthrikudu the tantric in the super-hit film.