Singeetham Srinivasa Rao Passes Away At 95, Legendary Filmmaker Behind Kamal Haasan’s Experimental Classics

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Legendary filmmaker Singeetham Srinivasa Rao, known for pushing the boundaries of Indian cinema with films such as 'Pushpaka Vimanam' and 'Aditya 369', passed away in Chennai on October 3. He was 95. The filmmaker had been undergoing treatment at Kauvery Hospital after his health deteriorated due to age-related ailments.

Singeetham Srinivasa Rao: The Filmmaker Who Refused To Follow A Formula

Born on September 21, 1931, in Gudur, Andhra Pradesh, Rao began his career as an assistant to filmmaker L. V. Prasad before making his directorial debut with 'Neeti Nijayiti' in 1972. Over a career spanning more than five decades, he worked across multiple Indian languages and became known for experimenting with genres and storytelling techniques.

Photo Credit: Instagram@syamalaofficial

His filmography included 'Dikkatra Parvathi', 'Mayuri', 'Raja Paarvai', 'Apoorva Sagodharargal', 'Michael Madana Kama Rajan', 'Bhairava Dweepam', 'Aditya 369' and 'Pushpaka Vimanam'.

Singeetham Srinivasa Rao-Kamal Haasan Collaborations

Rao's creative partnership with Kamal Haasan produced several memorable films, including 'Pushpaka Vimanam', 'Apoorva Sagodharargal', 'Michael Madana Kama Rajan' and 'Magalir Mattum'.

'Pushpaka Vimanam', released in 1987, remains one of his most celebrated works. The black comedy starring Kamal Haasan used virtually no spoken dialogue, relying instead on visual storytelling. The film won the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment.

Rao also directed 'Aditya 369', starring Nandamuri Balakrishna, which explored time travel and became a landmark science-fiction film in Telugu cinema.

Singeetham Srinivasa Rao's Funeral In Chennai

Following his death, Rao's mortal remains were kept at his residence in Virugambakkam, Chennai, where people could pay their last respects. PTI initially reported that his final rites would be held at the Nesapakkam crematorium.

His last rites were subsequently held at Nesapakkam crematorium in Chennai on Sunday evening, October 4. Several members of the film industry attended the funeral, including Kamal Haasan, Nag Ashwin, Swapna Dutt and music composer Devi Sri Prasad, and paid their final respects to the filmmaker.

Singeetham Srinivasa Rao Directed A Film At 94

Singeetham Srinivasa Rao remained involved in filmmaking even in his nineties. His final directorial venture, 'Sing Geetham', produced by Nag Ashwin, was released earlier in 2026. The film became a fitting final chapter to a career defined by experimentation and his continued interest in new forms of storytelling.

His death marks the end of an extraordinary filmmaking career, but Rao's work continues to stand out for its originality. From the dialogue-free storytelling of 'Pushpaka Vimanam' to the time-travel world of 'Aditya 369', he consistently explored ideas that were unusual for their time. His collaborations with Kamal Haasan and his influence across Indian cinema have ensured that his legacy will extend well beyond his lifetime.