Veteran filmmaker Singeetam Srinivasa Rao dies at 94 in chennai
Chennai, Oct 3 (TNT): Veteran filmmaker Singeetam Srinivasa Rao, known for his experimental films across Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Hindi cinema, died at a corporate hospital here on Saturday evening following ill health.
He was 94.
Born on September 21, 1931, in Gudur of the erstwhile Nellore district in Andhra Pradesh, Rao directed around 60 films in multiple languages during a career spanning several decades.
He began his film career as an assistant to acclaimed director K V Reddy, working on classics including Mayabazar and Jagadeka Veeruni Katha.
He made his directorial debut with the Telugu film Neethi Nijayithi in 1972.
His notable films included Dikkatra Parvathi, Tharam Marindi, Panthulamma, Mayuri, Pushpaka Vimanam, Aditya 369, Bhairava Dweepam, Magalir Mattum and Madam.
Dikkatra Parvathi won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil, while Pushpaka Vimanam, a dialogue-free film, won the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment.
Rao also collaborated extensively with Kamal Haasan and Rajkumar.
His films with Haasan included Sommokadidhi Sokokadidhi, Raja Paarvai, Pushpaka Vimanam, Apoorva Sagodharargal and Michael Madana Kama Rajan.
His films with Rajkumar included Haalu Jenu, Chalisuva Modagalu, Eradu Nakshatragalu and Bhagyada Lakshmi Baramma.
The veteran filmmaker received two National Film Awards, five Nandi Awards, three Karnataka State Film Awards and three Filmfare Awards South.
He was also honoured with the Life Achievement Award by the Film Federation of India in 2011.
In 2026, Rao returned to direction with Sing Geetham, a musical fantasy project, marking his comeback to filmmaking after a decade.
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