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Regarded as one of Indian cinema's most innovative directors, legendary filmmaker Singeetham Srinivasa Rao passed away on October 3 at the age of 94, leaving behind a celebrated legacy across Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Hindi cinema.
Rao passed away at a hospital in Chennai, where he had been admitted after a recent decline in his health. He had also been undergoing treatment for age-related ailments.
Singeetham Srinivasa Rao made his directorial debut with the 1972 film Neethi Nijayithi and went on to helm acclaimed films including Panthulamma, Mayuri, Anand, Pushpaka Vimana, Aditya 369, Brundavanam, Magalir Mattum, Bhairava Dweepam, Madam and Son of Aladdin. His 1974 film Dikkatra Parvathi won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil, while Tharam Marindi (1977) earned the Nandi Award for Best Feature Film.
In a career spanning six decades, his last directorial venture was the musical fantasy film Sing Geetham, produced by Nag Ashwin.
The filmmaker also garnered heartfelt tributes from major actors across South cinema, including Mahesh Babu, Jr NTR, Kamal Hassan and more.
Mahesh Babu shared his sentiments on X, with a post reading, "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."
Jr NTR also shared a post on X, calling him a "visionary" who created films that transcended time. "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," he wrote.
Hassan, who had also worked with the director on several iconic films, paid tribute on X, with a post reading: "Singeetham Karu, 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."
"Dying young need not be a tragedy. It can be glorious. Singeetham Srinivasa Rao is a great example. I have admired him since I knew him. Now I aspire to live like he did."