Legendary Telugu filmmaker Singeetham Srinivasa Rao dies at 94

According to family and friends, Singeetham Srinivasa Rao passed away on Saturday evening in Chennai in Kauvery Hospital. He was 94.

Born in Gudur in Nellore district, Rao burst onto the screen at the age of 41 with his writing and direction of Neeti Nijayati, a Telugu movie with a homily in its heart, in 1972.

From dialogue writing to direction

Before that, Singeetham began as a dialogue writer to filmmaker K.V. Reddy. He also assisted Reddy in the groundbreaking Telugu movie Mayabazar in 1957.

Between these two dates, he honed and experimented with his craft. From then onwards, he directed movies in multiple languages, including Pushpak Vimana without any dialogue starring Kamal Hassan an Amala.

His work included films he helmed or had a role in bringing to the screen. The notable titles listed include Pantulamma, Zamindaru Gari Ammayi, America Ammayi, Pilla Zamindar and Mayuri. The list also includes Apoorva Sagodharargal, Michael Madana Kama Rajan and Aditya 369, along with dozens of other movies.

Acting, music and his final film

Singeetham Srinivasa Rao acted in some movies and also composed the movie score. His last movie was Sing Geetham, a musical-fantasy comedy that he directed and for which he wrote the script.

The genre-defying movie was released in June 2026. The director sometimes remotely wielded the mike during the film’s release period.

Source: The Hindu