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, during which he worked with some of the biggest stars and finest actors in the industry.
Several celebrities, including Kamal Haasan, SS Rajamouli, Jr NTR and Mahesh Babu, paid tribute to the legendary filmmaker on social media, remembering his contribution to Indian cinema and his ability to experiment across genres.
Jr NTR, Kamal Haasan remember Singeetam Srinivasa Rao
Actor Jr NTR remembered Singeetam Srinivasa Rao in a post on X. Expressing his condolences, he wrote, "The news that Singeetam Srinivasa Rao garu is no more is deeply heartbreaking. 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 members. Om Shanti."
Kamal Haasan, who shared a long association with Singeetam, also paid tribute to the filmmaker. He wrote on X, "Singeetam garu, according to his own wishes, in his youth, breathed his last along with his youth. His youth did not spread to many. In the desire that that quality should spread, among the friends he held by the hand and walked with, among the disciples I am one."
He added, "Dying young need not be a tragedy. It can be glorious. Singeetam Srinivasa Rao is a great example. I have admired him since I knew him. Now I aspire to live like he did."
Singeetam's association with Kamal Haasan resulted in several acclaimed films, including Apoorva Sagodharargal and Michael Madana Kama Rajan.
SS Rajamouli calls Singeetam a visionary
Filmmaker SS Rajamouli also remembered Singeetam Srinivasa Rao and praised his contribution to experimental cinema.
"Long before we had the tools or the budgets, he dared to dream bigger than anyone around him. He made a film without a single line of dialogue, took us travelling through time, and moved from comedy to fantasy to deeply human drama as if no line existed between genres," Rajamouli wrote.
He added that Singeetam showed an entire generation of filmmakers that "the only real limit in cinema is imagination".
"Every filmmaker who has tried something different in Telugu cinema owes him something, knowingly or not. I certainly do," Rajamouli said, while offering his condolences to Singeetam's family.
Mahesh Babu pays tribute
Actor Mahesh Babu also paid tribute to the late filmmaker.
"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. My deepest condolences to his family," Mahesh Babu wrote.
Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and YSRCP chief Jagan Mohan Reddy also remembered Rao, calling him a "true pioneer".
"Indian cinema has lost a true pioneer and pathbreaker, who continued making movies even at the age of 94. Singeetham Srinivasa Rao garu's unmatched creativity, from silent marvels to sci-fi epics, inspires generations," he wrote.
Singeetam Srinivasa Rao's six-decade career
Singeetam Srinivasa Rao began his journey in cinema by working with veteran filmmaker KV Reddy. Over a career spanning more than six decades, he directed more than 60 films and worked across several Indian languages.
His filmography covered a wide range of genres, including comedy, science fiction, fantasy, drama and experimental cinema.
One of his notable films was Mayuri, released in 1985 and based on the life of dancer Sudha Chandran. The film received several honours, including multiple Nandi Awards.
In 1987, Rao directed Pushpaka Vimana, a black comedy starring Kamal Haasan. The film was notable for being made without spoken dialogue and went on to win the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment.
Aditya 369 and his legacy in Telugu cinema
In Telugu cinema, Aditya 369 became one of Singeetam's best-known films. The science-fiction film explored the concept of time travel at a time when the genre was still relatively uncommon in Indian cinema.
The film's ambitious concept and treatment established Rao as a filmmaker willing to experiment with ideas beyond conventional commercial cinema.
From silent storytelling and black comedy to science fiction and fantasy, Singeetam Srinivasa Rao consistently pushed the boundaries of Indian filmmaking.
His work across languages and genres left a lasting influence on generations of filmmakers and actors, with several of them remembering him as a visionary who believed in the power of imagination.
Singeetam Srinivasa Rao's death marks the end of an extraordinary six-decade journey, but his films continue to remain part of the legacy of Indian cinema.
