It’s a photograph-based biography of an outstanding actor of Telugu and Tamil cinema, S.V. Ranga Rao. The number of films in which he acted were more than any superstar hero. In most of the films, Ranga Rao portrayed challenging roles that were pivotal to the entire drama. All the roles, which he played, were so close to real life characters. Despite the fact that no big award came his way, he enjoyed a special status among the audience. His presence in any role elevated the performance of other artistes in the film including heroes and heroines, a fact that many top heroes and heroines would corroborate. The word ‘Mahanatudu’ is the right moniker given by his fans, which Sanjay Kishore used as the title of his book. The cover page photograph of SVR in the role of Gatothkaja from Mayabazar is apt too.
From the book on S V Ranga Rao, ‘Mahanatudu’
The period between 1950s and 70s is considered the golden era of Telugu cinema. And this was also the period Ranga Rao playing different roles, made an indelible mark. He gave life to Telugu cinema. In short, he was an encyclopaedia.
The team of ANR, NTR, Savitri, Relangi, Suryakantham and many more top actors along with SVR took the Telugu film industry to new heights. With his sheer brilliance in acting and portrayal of characters, Ranga Rao made the film rich. Right from the character of Harischandra, Gatothkaja, Kamsa, Keechaka, Hiranyakasipu, Mantrika, Narakasura, Ravana to many more characters, he breathed life into them.
Ranga Rao was born in Nuziveedu in Krishna District in 1918 in a zamindari family. His father was excise inspector. His grandfather was working as a doctor in the the town. His uncle was in politics and relatives scattered in east Godavari district. His grandfather Kotaiah Naidu lived in Chengalpattu.
A turning point came when Ranga Rao was in Chennai. But due to the death of his uncle, he had to shift to Eluru in Krishna district, where he joined a college and then completed intermediate in Visakhapatnam. He developed an interest in theatre.
From the book on S V Ranga Rao, ‘Mahanatudu’
Foray into films
That was the time Anjali Devi, Adinarayana Rao and Relangi were popular. Ranga Rao played a role in the play Veedhi Gayakulu, with Anjali Devi. In 1944, he was offered a job by a fire department officer who watched his play. Ranga Rao then got an offer to play a role in the film Varudhini . He quit his job and acted in the film. However, the film didn’t do well at the box office. Soon, Ranga Rao got another offer in another film and went to Chennai. He got also married and settled in Chennai.
The role he played in Shavukaru got him recognition as a fine actor. This film also featured N.T. Rama Rao, Janaki, and Govindarajula Subba Rao and was directed by L.V. Prasad. He later got a small role in the film Palletoori Pilla directed by B.A. Subba Rao. The turning point came when he played the role of ‘Mandrake’ in Patalabhaiavi . It was a great success that turned the tide in favour of both Ranga Rao and NTR..
There is a page in this book with all the faces of roles he played. Mahanatudu is a pictorial presentation of one of the most popular personalities of cinema and worth adding to one’s collection for its look and content.
