Samarla Venkata Ranga Rao (3 July 1918 – 18 July 1974), popularly known as S. V. Ranga Rao and SVR, was an Indian actor and filmmaker who primarily worked in Telugu and Tamil films. He is regarded as one of the finest actors in the history of Indian cinema. He is known by the epithet "Viswa Nata Chakravarthi" () In a career spanning nearly three decades, Ranga Rao garnered various national and international honours.
Ranga Rao was a method actor known for his natural acting style, portraying complex social, biographical, and mythological characters. Some of his most iconic roles include 'Nepala Manthrikudu, a tantric in Pathala Bhairavi (1951), Yama in Sati Savitri (1957), Ghatothkacha in Maya Bazaar (1957), Mayasura in Bhookailas (1958), and Bhoja in Mahakavi Kalidasu (1960). becoming the only Indian actor to have ever received the honour. His other notable performances include roles as Duryodhana in Pandava Vanavasam (1965), Hiranyakasipu in Bhakta Prahlada (1967), and Ravana in Sampoorna Ramayanam (1971).
In his honour, the Government of Andhra Pradesh instituted the S. V. Ranga Rao Award for Best Character Actor, which is presented annually to recognize outstanding performances in character roles. His father, Samarla Koteswara Rao, was an excise inspector at Nuzvidu, and his mother's name was Smt. Lakshmi Narasayamma.
Career
S. V. R. got an invitation from one of his relatives, B. V. Ramanandam, to play the lead actor in his film Varoodhini (1947). He immediately abandoned the job, and left for Salem to join the celluloid world. However, the film didn't do well at the box office. Ranga Rao also starred in the enduring classics Mayabazar (1957) and Nartanasala (1963), featured in the CNN-IBN's list of "100 greatest Indian films of all time".
In a career spanning nearly three decades, he acted in over 160 films 109 in Telugu and 53 in Tamil. In 2018, N. Chandrababu Naidu, then Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh unveiled a 12.5 feet bronze statue of Ranga Rao at Kalaparru on the outskirts of Eluru and announced that the state government was planning to establish a museum on Ranga Rao in Eluru.
;Nandi Award for Best Feature Film (Director)
- Chadarangam (1967) - Second Best Feature Film (Silver)
- Bandhavyalu (1968) - Best Feature Film (Gold)|| Kamsa|| Telugu ||
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| 1959 || Raja Sevai || || Tamil ||
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| 1959 || Manjal Mahimai || || Tamil ||
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| 1959 || Rechukka Pagatichukka || || Telugu ||
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| 1959 || Vazhkai Oppantham || || Tamil ||
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| 1960 || Nammina Bantu || || Telugu ||
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| 1960 || Bhatti Vikramarka || Maantrikudu|| Telugu ||
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| 1960 || Deepavali || Narakasurudu|| Telugu ||
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| 1960 || Devanthakudu || || Telugu ||
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| 1960 || Harishchandra || Harischandra Maharaju|| Telugu ||
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| 1960 || Irumputhirai || || Tamil ||
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| 1960 || Mahakavi Kalidasu || Bhoja Raju|| Telugu ||
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| 1960 || Mamaku Tagga Alludu || || Telugu ||
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| 1960 || Naan Kanda Sorgam || ||Tamil ||
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| 1960 || Padikkadha Medhai || ||Tamil ||
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| 1960 || Pattaliyin Vetri || ||Tamil ||
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| 1960 || Parthiban Kanavu || King Narasimhavarman||Tamil ||
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| 1960 || Petra Manam || || Tamil ||
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| 1960 || Vidivelli || || Tamil ||
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| 1961 || Velugu Needalu || Rao Bahadur Venkataramaiah|| Telugu ||
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| 1961 || Ellam Unnakkaga || || Tamil ||
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| 1961 || Kalasivunte Kaladu Sukham || || Telugu ||
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| 1961 || Kappalottiya Thamizhan || || Tamil ||
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| 1961 || Kumudham || Public Prosecutor, Shanthi's father || Tamil ||
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| 1961 || Krishna Prema || || Telugu ||
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| 1961 || Pangaaligal || One of the 3 Partners || Tamil ||
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| 1961 || Pelli Thambulam || || Telugu ||
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| 1961 || Sati Sulochana || || Telugu ||
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| 1961 || Usha Parinayam || Banasura|| Telugu ||
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| 1962 || Atma Bandhuvu || Father|| Telugu ||
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| 1962 || Bandha Pasam || || Tamil ||
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| 1962 || Dakshayagnam || Daksha|| Telugu ||
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| 1962 || Padithal Mattum Podhuma || || Tamil ||
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| 1962 || Deivathin Deivam || || Tamil ||
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| 1962 || Muthu Mandapam || || Tamil ||
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| 1962 || Nichaya Thaamboolam || Ranganathan || Tamil ||
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| 1962 || Sarada || || Tamil ||
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| 1962 || Gaali Medalu ||Paanakaalu|| Telugu ||
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| 1962 || Gundamma Katha || Ramabhadraiah|| Telugu ||
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| 1962 || Kaathiruntha Kangal || || Tamil ||
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| 1962 || Manchi Manasulu || || Telugu ||
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| 1962 || Manithan Maravillai || || Tamil ||
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| 1962 || Padandi Munduku || || Telugu ||
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| 1962 || Sri Srikakula Andhra Mahavishnuvu Katha || Suchandrasena Maharaju|| Telugu ||
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| 1962 || Tiger Ramudu || || Telugu ||
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| 1962 || Annai || || Tamil ||
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| 1962 || Visha Binduvu || || Telugu ||
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| 1962 || Kavitha || || Tamil ||
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| 1963 || Annai Illam || || Tamil ||
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| 1963 || Iruvar Ullam || || Tamil ||
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| 1963 || Kalyaniyin Kanavan || Kalyani's Father || Tamil ||
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| 1963 || Kungumam || Punniyakodi / James / Sambasivam || Tamil ||
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| 1963 || Needhikkuppin Paasam || || Tamil ||
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| 1963 || Karpagam || Nallasivam || Tamil ||
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| 1963 || Narthanasala || Keechakudu|| Telugu ||Best Actor - 3rd Afro-Asian Film Festival, Jakarta
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| 1963 || Naanum Oru Penn || || Tamil ||
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| 1963 || Thobuttuvulu || Garataiah || Telugu ||
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| 1964 || Bobbili Yudham || Tandra Paparayudu|| Telugu ||
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| 1964 || Kai Kodutha Deivam || Mahadevan || Tamil ||
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| 1964 || Main Bhi Ladki Hoon || || Hindi ||
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| 1964 || Murali Krishna || Father of Murali|| Telugu ||
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| 1964 || Ramudu Bheemudu || || Telugu ||
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| 1964 || Server Sundaram || || Tamil ||
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| 1964 || Pachai Vilakku || || Tamil ||
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| 1965 || Enga Veetu Pillai || Father of Saroja Devi|| Tamil ||
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| 1965 || Kakkum Karangal || || Tamil ||
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| 1965 || Aadabrathuku || || Telugu ||
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| 1965 || Naadi Aada Janme || || Telugu ||
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| 1965 || Pandava Vanavasam || Duryodhanudu|| Telugu ||
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| 1965 || Vaazhkai Padagu || Rajan Father|| Tamil ||
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| 1965 || Paditha Manaivi || || Tamil ||
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| 1966 || Aata Bommalu || || Telugu ||
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| 1965 || Sati Sakkubai || || Telugu ||
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| 1965 || Thodu Needa || || Telugu ||
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| 1966 || Chilaka Gorinka || || Telugu ||
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| 1966 || Kumari Penn || Grandfather of Shyamala|| Tamil ||
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| 1966 || Selvam || || Tamil ||
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| 1966 || Thedi Vandha Thirumagal || || Tamil ||
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| 1966 || Thattungal Thirakkappadum ||Church Father|| Tamil ||
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| 1966 || Mohini Bhasmasura|| Bhasmasura|| Telugu ||
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|1966
|Adugu Jaadalu
|Dr. Krishna
|Telugu
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| 1966 || Ramu || || Telugu ||
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| 1967 || Pesum Dheivam || || Tamil ||
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| 1967 || Bhakta Prahlada || || Tamil ||
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| 1967 || Bhakta Prahlada || Hiraynakashipudu|| Telugu ||
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| 1967 || Chadarangam || || Telugu ||
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| 1967 || Rahasyam || || Telugu ||
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|1967
|Punyavathi
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|Telugu
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| 1967 || Thaikku Thalaimagan || Cholaiya Pannaiyar Dharmalingham ||Tamil ||
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| 1967 || Kan Kanda Deivam || The Landlord ||Tamil ||
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| 1968 || Bandhavyalu || || Telugu ||
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| 1968 || Bandhipotu Dongalu || Bandipotu Malludora|| Telugu ||
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| 1968 || Lakshmi Nivasam || || Telugu ||
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| 1968 || Chinnari Papalu || || Telugu ||
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| 1968 || Poovum Pottum || Professor Raja Rathinam|| Tamil ||
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| 1969 || Nam Naadu || Dharmalingham || Tamil ||
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|1969
|Jagath Kiladeelu
|CID Gangaram / Gangulu
|Telugu
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| 1969 || Sivandha Mann || || Tamil ||
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| 1969 || Kula Vilakku || || Tamil ||
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| 1969 || Kuzhandhai Ullam || || Tamil ||
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| 1969 || Mooga Nomu || || Telugu ||
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| 1970 || Sambarala Rambabu || || Telugu ||
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|1970
|Jagath Jetteelu
|Major Raghunath
|Telugu
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| 1971 || Dasara Bullodu || Bhushaiah || Telugu ||
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| 1971 || Debbaku Tha Dongala Mutha || || Telugu ||
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| 1971 || Praptham || || Tamil ||
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| 1971 || Thenum Paalum || || Tamil ||
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| 1971 || Irulum Oliyum || || Tamil ||
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| 1971 || Aathi Parasakthi ||Dhakshan|| Tamil ||
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|1971
|Anuradha
|Bhushaiah
|Telugu
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| 1971 || Prema Nagar || Zamindar|| Telugu ||
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| 1971 || Sampoorna Ramayanam || Ravana|| Telugu ||
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| 1972 || Vidhyarthigale Ithile Ithile || Principal|| Malayalam ||
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| 1972 || Bala Bharatam || Bheeshma|| Telugu ||
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| 1972 || Iddaru Ammayilu || Lawyer Narayan Rao|| Telugu ||
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| 1972 || Kathula Rattayya || || Telugu||
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| 1972 || Koduku Kodalu || || Telugu ||
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| 1972 || Raja || Nagalingam Boopathy|| Tamil ||
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| 1972 || Pandanti Kapuram || Head of the family|| Telugu ||
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| 1972 || Papam Pasivaadu || Venugopal|| Telugu ||
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| 1972 || Vasantha Maligai || || Tamil || Reused scenes from Prema Nagar
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| 1972 || Vazhaiyadi Vazhai || || Tamil ||
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|1973 ||Anbu Sagodharargal|| Elder Brother|| Tamil ||
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| 1973 || Devudu Chesina Manushulu || || Telugu ||
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|1973
|Bangaru Babu
|Raghavaiah
|Telugu
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|1972
|Thatha-Manavadu
|Grandfather Rangayya
|Telugu
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| 1973 || Minor Babu || || Telugu ||
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| 1973 || Samsaram Sagaram || || Telugu ||
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| 1974 || Andaru Dongale || Chanti Babu|| Telugu ||
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| 1974 || Bangaru Kalalu || || Telugu ||
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| 1974 || Chakravakam ||Dharma Rayudu|| Telugu ||
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| 1974 || Galipatalu ||Ganganna and Manganna|| Telugu ||
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| 1974 || Inti Kodalu || || Telugu ||
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| 1974 || Premalu Pellilu || || Telugu ||
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| 1974 || Pillai Selvam || || Tamil ||
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| 1974 || Sivakamyin Selvan || || Tamil ||Last film in Tamil
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|1975
|Mallela Manasulu
|Ramachandraiah
|Telugu
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| 1975 ||Yashoda Krishna || Kamsa|| Telugu ||Last film in Telugu
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|1988
|Yamudiki Mogudu
|Balu's father
|Telugu
|Portrait
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|1990
|Athisaya Piravi
|Balu's father
|Tamil
|Portrait (reprised)
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Director
- Bandhavyalu (1968)
- Chadarangam (1967)
Producer
- Bandhavyalu (1968) (producer)
- Chadarangam (1967) (producer)
- Naadi Aada Janme (1965) (producer)
- Sukhadukhalu (1969)