Veteran Filmmaker Singeetham Srinivasa Rao Passes Away at 94

Veteran Indian filmmaker Singeetham Srinivasa Rao passed away in October 2026 at the age of 94 in a hospital in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

Born on 21 September 1931 in Gudur, Andhra Pradesh, he was known for his experimental storytelling and contributions to Indian cinema across several languages.

About Singeetham Srinivasa Rao

Singeetham Srinivasa Rao was a filmmaker, producer, music composer and actor. His career spanned more than six decades, during which he directed around 60 films.

He worked in several languages, including:

• Telugu
• Tamil
• Kannada
• Malayalam
• Hindi
• English

His films covered a wide range of genres and were known for innovative concepts and filmmaking techniques.

Notable Films

Some of his best-known works include:

• Pushpaka Vimanam (1987)
• Mayuri (1985)
• Aditya 369 (1991)
• Bhairava Dweepam (1994)

He also collaborated with actor Kamal Haasan on notable films such as:

• Apoorva Sagodharargal
• Michael Madana Kama Rajan

Pushpaka Vimanam, a dialogue-free film, remains one of his most widely recognised works.

Awards and Honours

During his long career, Singeetham Srinivasa Rao received several major film awards and honours.

He received:

• 2 National Film Awards – 1973 and 1988
• 5 Nandi Awards – 1985, 1992, 1994 and 2012 among the cited years
• 3 Karnataka State Film Awards – 1982, 1985 and 1986
• 3 Filmfare Awards South – 1974, 1985 and 1987
• Lifetime Achievement Award from the Film Federation of India in 2011

Contribution to Indian Cinema

Singeetham Srinivasa Rao was known for experimenting with different genres, narrative styles and technical approaches.

His work ranged from social dramas and biographical films to science fiction, fantasy and comedy. His films such as Aditya 369 helped popularise science-fiction themes in Telugu cinema, while Pushpaka Vimanam became notable for telling its story without conventional spoken dialogue.