Veteran filmmaker, screenwriter and composer Singeetam Srinivasa Rao died on Saturday at the age of 94. The filmmaker had a career spanning more than six decades across several Indian languages, in which he worked with some of the biggest stars and finest actors. Several stars, including Kamal Haasan, SS Rajamouli, Jr NTR and Mahesh Babu, paid tribute to him on social media.
Singeetam Srinivasa Rao started his journey in cinema by working with veteran filmmaker KV Reddy. The film received several honours, including multiple Nandi Awards. Over the years, Rao directed more than 60 films and worked across different genres, including comedy, science fiction, fantasy and drama.One of his well-known films was Mayuri, released in 1985 and based on the life of dancer Sudha Chandran.
Aditya 369, Pushpaka Vimanam, Mayuri… a visionary who thought ahead of his time, delivering films that feel fresh even across generations. My deepest condolences to his family…” This was by Pushpaka Vimana in 1987, a black comedy starring Kamal Haasan. In Telugu cinema, Aditya 369 became one of Rao’s best-known films.
Actor Jr NTR remembered Singeetam in a tweet. Sharing his condolences, he wrote on X, “The news that Singeetam Srinivasa Rao garu is no more is deeply heartbreaking. My deepest condolences to his family members. Om Shanti. Mahesh Babu also paid tribute to the late filmmaker and wrote, “A giant of Indian cinema is no more…. Singeetam Srinivasa Rao garu was a legend in every sense of the word.. A filmmaker of extraordinary imagination, courage and brilliance.. Indian cinema will forever be indebted to him.. Rest in peace sir.. The film was made without spoken dialogue and went on to win the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment. The science-fiction film explored time travel at a time when the genre was still uncommon in Indian cinema.
