Legendary film director, writer Singeetham Srinivasa Rao passed away

Singeetham Srinivasa Rao. File. | Photo credit: Johan Sathyadas

According to family and friends, legendary film director and writer Singeetham Srinivasa Rao died on Saturday night in Chennai at the Kauvery Hospital. He was 94.

Born in Gudur in Nellore district, he burst onto the silver screen at the age of 41 when he wrote and directed Neeti Nijayati, a Telugu film with a homily at its heart in 1972. But before that, Singeetham started as a dialogue writer for filmmaker KV Reddy and assisted him on a landmark Telugu film: Mayabazar 1957. Between these two dates, he honed and tested his craft.

Since then he has directed films in several languages ​​including Pushpak Vimana without any dialogues with Kamal Hassan and Amala. Notable films he directed or acted in included: Pantulamma, Zamindaru Gari Ammayi, America Ammayi, Pilla Zamindar, Mayuri, Apoorva Sagodharargal, Michael Madana Kama Rajan, Aditya 369 and dozens of other films.

Also read | ‘Pushpak’ at 35: Sit down with legendary filmmaker Singeetam Srinivasa Rao

Singeetham Srinivasa Rao has acted in some films and even composed film music. His last film was Sing Geetham, a musical-fantasy comedy that he directed and wrote. The genre film was released in June 2026 and the director sometimes controlled the microphone remotely.

Published – October 4, 2026 0:04 AM IST