Tollywood stars paid floral tributes to legendary actor SVR (Samarla Venkata Ranga Rao) who was hailed as Vishwa Nata Chakravathi. Ahead of his birth anniversary on 3 July, celebrities like Krishna, Chiranjeevi and others remembered SVR.
Super Star Krishna said SVR was a great actor who was above Hollywood stars. He said he realized SVR's popularity when people went crazy during Todikodallu 100 days function in his native place Tenali. He said he first met SVR when he was going to Madras after he got selected as hero for Tene Manasulu. Krishna recalled an incident saying “SVR who was in the same compartment asked me, 'em chestunnav.. e pani meeda madras vastunnav', for which I told him it was about Tene Manasulu. He told me that I was making debut under a good director (Adurti) and will have great future. SVR supported me when we shared screen space for the first time in Jagat Kiladilu giving me various tips. He didn’t trouble me, when I starred in his production house for Pandanti Kapuram.”
Krishna said when he contacted SVR for a key role in Devudu Chesina Manushulu, he like a kid told that he was paid only Rs 30000 for Pandanti Kapuram and he will do only if he gets Rs 40000. Krishna said he will pay Rs 40000 but should stay away from liquor for the ten days call sheets. He said he planned to cast SVR as Aggiraju in Alluri Seetharamaraju and he even gave call sheets. But during the shooting, he went to Yashodakrishna shooting in Mysore.
Chiranjeevi said it is a dishonor for Padmasri award as it didn’t garland SVR. He said he doesn't want to talk about politics involved but added that SVR should get Bharat Ratna. He said Ram Charan was shocked at SVR's natural performances, when he made him watch his films to get perfection in acting. He said, “He came to know that legends like NTR, ANR, Sivaji Ganeshan, Savitri used to get tensed while sharing screen presence with SVR. My father in law Allu Ramalingiah, who was close to SVR, remarked that SVR would have been proud of me, had he been alive for him to have a son in law like him. I dreamed of taking the blessings of SVR after entering films, but even before my entry, SVR breathed his last.”