Samarla Venkata Ranga Rao 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 Indian method actors, 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.