Telugu filmmaker Singeetham Srinivasa Rao dies at 94 after battling age-related health issues

Veteran filmmaker Singeetham Srinivasa Rao, known for his distinctive contribution to Indian cinema, has passed away at the age of 94.
Entertainment desk
October 04, 2026 / 09:18 IST
Singeetham was known for his unconventional ideas and willingness to explore different genres over a career spanning several decades and many Indian languages.

Veteran filmmaker Singeetham Srinivasa Rao, one of the most distinctive voices of Indian cinema, has passed away at the age of 94.

He died after a long illness at Kaveri Hospital in Chennai on October 3, leaving the Telugu film industry and millions of movie lovers in mourning.

Singeetham was known for his unconventional ideas and willingness to explore different genres over a career spanning several decades and many Indian languages. His filmmaking was often characterised by experimentation, inventive storytelling and an ability to look at familiar subjects from unexpected angles.

A filmmaker who didn’t play by the rules

Singeetham’s filmography is remarkable for its variety. He moved between comedy, fantasy, science fiction, drama and experimental cinema with ease, and made films that developed a lasting following.

His celebrated works include Pushpaka Vimanam, Aditya 369, Bhairava Dweepam and Mayuri. Pushpaka Vimanam became famous for narrating its story without using any conventional dialogues, and Aditya 369 remains an important landmark in Telugu science fiction.

His association with actors such as Kamal Haasan and Rajkumar also resulted in several memorable films across Tamil, Kannada and Telugu cinema.

His love for the movies never did fade

What made Singeetham’s journey extraordinary was his association with filmmaking that went well into his nineties.

At the age of 94, he returned to directing with the musical fantasy Sing Geetham made by Vyjayanthi Movies. The movie dealt with environmental destruction, greed and the importance of saving nature.

The project itself was an example of the filmmaker’s experimental spirit. The story was built around a unique musical format, in which characters expressed their emotions through song rather than traditional dialogue.

Sing Geetham was released in 2026, and it was notable for its unusual concept and the fact that Singeetham was still experimenting at an age when most filmmakers would have retired from the industry.

Some members of the film fraternity also hailed the film. Director Gautham Vasudev Menon said the film is an inspiring example of Singeetham continuing to explore the unexplored areas of cinema.

So the filmmaker’s last chapter behind the camera turned out to be yet another example of his age-old view: cinema, for Singeetham, was always an opportunity to do something different.

Singeetham began his directorial career in the early 1970s and later directed films in Telugu, Kannada, Tamil, Hindi and other languages. In his long career, he also dabbled in screenwriting, production, music and acting.

He bagged many awards and accolades, including National Film Awards and Nandi Awards for his work and movies like Pushpaka Vimanam, Aditya 369 and Bhairava Dweepam continued to be talked about as examples of his creative range.

With the death of Singeetham Srinivasa Rao, the Indian cinema has lost a filmmaker whose career was defined not by convention but by curiosity.

Even his final film, made at 94, had the same creative impulse that had marked his work for decades. Singeetham Srinivasa Rao’s legacy is a body of work that keeps introducing new generations of viewers to the possibilities of Indian cinema.

Entertainment desk Entertainment Desk at Moneycontrol reports on the celebrities, movies that shape India’s entertainment industry. With a sharp focus on cinema, OTT, web series, and latest trends, the entertainment desk delivers verified news, and analytical stories that place entertainment within a wider economic and cultural context. Our coverage goes beyond celebrity to examine how storytelling, audiences and business decisions influence one of the country’s most influential creative industries.
first published: Oct 4, 2026 09:18 am

Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!

Watch

Trending news

Founder explains why low pay can keep you underpaid: ‘Understand your market worth’

• 60-year-old woman welcomes second child 2 years after giving birth to son: ‘In my eyes, I am only 28’
• ‘EMI is also pending’: Techie earning Rs 40 lakh laid off with Rs 2 crore home loan, just 2 months of savings left
• After layoff from JPMorgan in UK, Indian techie moves back to Gorakhpur, shares reality of job hunt
• Ajit Agarkar’s salary as BCCI chief selector: How much did former India star earn as his term comes to an end
• Drishyam’s Ajay Devgn says ‘Flydubai pilot captain Smit Machchhar is a hero’ after mid-air attack
• Dino Morea questioned for 6 hours by Mumbai Police in alleged Rs 65 Crore Mithi River desilting scam
• Journalist with Rs 250 salary, built Rs 6,000-crore ‘SIS’: How R K Sinha went from helping retired armymen to running global business
• At 59, he returns to school after 37 years: Meghalaya man prepares for Class 10 exam under second-chance programme
• iPhone 17 price in India to drop at Rs 79,999 during Flipkart Big Billion Days sale: Check bank offers and exchange discount
• iPhone 17 Pro price drops to Rs 80,143 with exchange offer and bank discount
• Happy Gandhi Jayanti: 7 books Gandhiji read that influenced his thinking
• Quote of the day by Mahatma Gandhi: “An ounce of practice is worth more than tons of…”
• Gandhi Jayanti 2026: Why is it celebrated on October 2? Know the history and significance
• Quote of the day by Socrates: “I know that I know nothing” – The ancient Greek Philosopher’s powerful life lesson on humility, self-Awareness and the wisdom of knowing what you don’t know

`);
}
if(res.stay_updated){
$(“.stay-updated-ajax”).html(res.stay_updated);
}
}catch(e){ console.log(e); }
});
},2000); // Reduced from 8s to 2s for better Core Web Vitals (LCP/UX)
});