Veteran filmmaker Singeetham Srinivasa Rao died on Saturday at the age of 95. He breathed his last at Kauvery Hospital in Chennai. He was undergoing treatment in the hospital due to age-related health problems. Singeetam had directed around 60 films in Telugu, Kannada, Tamil, Hindi and English, including ‘Pushpaka Vimanam’ and ‘Aditya 369’. He received many honors including two National Film Awards. At the age of 94, he directed his last film ‘Sing Geetham’. This film was released on 12 June 2026. Many actors from Telugu and Tamil film industries paid tribute to him on social media. Kamal Haasan, Jr NTR, Shruti Haasan, Nag Ashwin, Mahesh Babu expressed grief over his demise. Singeetam Srinivasa Rao’s film journey Singeetam Srinivasa Rao started his film career with veteran director K.V. Worked as Reddy’s assistant. He worked in films like ‘Mayabazar’ and ‘Jagadek Veeruni Katha’. Started direction in the year 1972 with Telugu film ‘Neeti-Nijayati’. After this he directed about 60 films in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Hindi and English. His major films include ‘Dikkatra Parvathi’, ‘Mayuri’, ‘Pushpaka Vimanam’, ‘Aditya 369’, ‘Bhairav Dweepam’, ‘Magalir Mattum’ and ‘Michael Madana Kama Rajan’. Special partnership with Kamal Haasan Singeetam and Kamal Haasan worked together in many popular films. These include ‘Pushpaka Vimanam’, ‘Apoorva Sagodargal’ and ‘Michael Madana Kama Rajan’. In ‘Pushpaka Vimanam’, an experiment was done to tell the story without dialogue. Singeetam also worked in Hindi cinema and directed films made in many languages including Hindi. These include ‘Thrilok Sundari’ (1982), ‘Little John’ (2001), ‘Mumbai Express’ (2005) and the animation film ‘Ghatotkach’ (2008). ‘Phool’ (1993) was also included in his Hindi films. The special identity of ‘Pushpak’ was ‘Pushpak Viman’ which was released on 27 November 1987. The film was released on 27 November 1987. It was released under different names in different linguistic regions. Its original name in Karnataka was ‘Pushpak Viman’. It was released in Andhra Pradesh with the name ‘Pushpaka Vimanam’. In Hindi speaking regions the film was titled ‘Pushpak’, meaning ‘flower’. In Tamil Nadu, it was released as ‘Pesum Padam’, which means ‘talking picture’. Whereas in Kerala it was released with the name ‘Pushpakavimanam’. There was no dialogue in the film. Despite this, it received a good response from audiences and critics. The film ran in theaters for 35 weeks in Bengaluru. The film received the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment. At the 35th Filmfare Awards South, Singeetam received the Best Director award and Kamal Haasan received the Best Actor award. The film also received the Best Film award. Known for experimental films, Singeetam became known for different types of stories and experiments. ‘Dikkatra Parvati’ also received the National Film Award. ‘Aditya 369’ is counted among the popular science fiction films of Telugu cinema, while ‘Bhairava Dweepam’ was included in the major films of fantasy genre. Singeetam, who remained associated with cinema till his last film, returned to direction in the year 2026 after almost 10 years. His last film was ‘Sing Geetham’. Till the age of 94, he remained associated with cinema and kept working on new stories. Kamal Haasan called himself a disciple. Kamal Haasan shared the picture of Singitam on X on Sunday. He described himself as a disciple of Singitam and recalled the experience of working with him. Kamal Haasan wrote, “As per his wish, Singeetam Karu breathed his last along with his youth. His youth did not reach many people. In his desire to spread that quality, I am one of those disciples whose friends he walked holding the hand of.” He further wrote, “Dying young is not always tragic. It can also be glorious. Singitam Srinivasa Rao is a shining example of this. I have admired him ever since I knew him. Now I too aspire to live like him.” Junior NTR called Singeetam on X a filmmaker who thought ahead of his time. He wrote, “The news of Singeetam Srinivasa Rao Garu’s demise is extremely sad.” He further wrote, “‘Aditya 369’, ‘Pushpak Vimanam’, ‘Mayuri’… He was a filmmaker who thought ahead of his time. He made films that feel new even after many generations. My deepest condolences to his family. Om Shanti.” Nag Ashwin shared the last script idea Filmmaker Nag Ashwin shared a glimpse of the creative thinking of Singeetam. He posted a screenshot of a message from Singitam on Instagram Story. This message was from 5 September 2026. It read, “A Fruit Cuts the Knife, the title of my new script.” Mahesh Babu also paid tribute. Mahesh Babu called Singeetam on X a legend of Indian cinema. He wrote, “A legend of Indian cinema is no longer with us. Singeetam Srinivasa Rao garu was a legend in every sense of the word.” Mahesh Babu further wrote, “He was a filmmaker of extraordinary imagination, courage and talent. Indian cinema will always be indebted to him. Sir, may your soul rest in peace. My deepest condolences to your family.”
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फिल्ममेकर सिंगीतम श्रीनिवास राव का निधन: 94 साल की उम्र में अपनी आखिरी फिल्म का निर्देशन किया था, कमल हासन-जूनियर NTR ने दी श्रद्धांजलि
