Veteran director Singeetham Srinivasa Rao passes away at 94 in Chennai

Veteran filmmaker Singeetham Srinivasa Rao has died at the age of 94. He passed away at Kaveri Hospital in Chennai, where he was being treated after a spell of ill health. His death has left the Telugu film industry in mourning. The news was reportedly confirmed through an official PR note.

Singeetham stayed creative right to the end. Even at 94, he directed Sing Geetham and brought to it the same energy that marked his long career. Very few filmmakers keep working behind the camera at that age, and his love for cinema never seemed to fade.

His work spanned Telugu, Tamil and Kannada cinema, and reports say he also made films in Malayalam and Hindi. He moved with ease between comedy, drama, fantasy and science fiction. Fans remember him for Pushpaka Vimanam, Aditya 369, Bhairava Dweepam and Mayuri. He was also behind Apoorva Sagodharargal and Michael Madana Kama Rajan, which reports link to Kamal Haasan.

Pushpaka Vimanam remains one of his boldest experiments, a film that told its story without spoken dialogue. Aditya 369 is often called a landmark science fiction film in one report. Together, these films showed a director who was never afraid to try something new.

According to reports, he began his journey as an associate to K. V. Reddy on films such as Mayabazar, and went on to direct more than 60 features. He is also reported to have won National Film Awards, Nandi Awards and Filmfare Awards. Tributes reportedly came in from film industry members, political leaders and fans.

Singeetham built his name on curiosity and a constant urge to experiment. With Sing Geetham as his final film, he leaves behind a career that kept pushing forward until the very end.