Singeetam Srinivasa Rao, visionary Indian filmmaker, dies at 94

Veteran Indian filmmaker, screenwriter, and composer Singeetam Srinivasa Rao has passed away at the age of 94. He died at Kaveri Hospital in Chennai due to age-related ailments.

Over a career spanning more than six decades, Rao was celebrated for his innovative and experimental approach to cinema. He worked across multiple languages, including Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Hindi, and Malayalam. His notable works include the time-travel adventure ‘Aditya 369’, the science-fiction film ‘Mayuri’, and the landmark silent black comedy ‘Pushpaka Vimanam’, which starred Kamal Haasan.

Industry leaders and celebrities, including SS Rajamouli, Kamal Haasan, Jr NTR, and Mahesh Babu, have paid tribute to him. They described him as a visionary who was ahead of his time and a pioneer who pushed the boundaries of storytelling. Even in his nineties, Rao remained active in the industry; his 61st directorial film, ‘Sing Geetham’, was released in June 2026.

Rao began his career as an assistant to the esteemed director K. V. Reddy, working on the classic ‘Mayabazar’. Throughout his career, he received numerous accolades, including National Film Awards and the Film Federation of India’s Life Achievement Award.