Archive · 5 Oct 2026
Singeetham Srinivasa Rao Dies at 95, Leaving Experimental Legacy
Singeetham Srinivasa Rao was a filmmaker who made movies for many years.
He died at 95 in Chennai.
He directed about 60 films in several languages.
His movies tried many different kinds of stories, including comedy, fantasy and science fiction.
Some of his best-known films were Pushpaka Vimana and Aditya 369.
His last film was called Sing Geetham, and it came out in 2026.
In that film, the characters express their dialogue by singing.
Music composer Devi Sri Prasad said making the film's music was a big challenge.
Singeetham was still thinking about new film ideas near the end of his life.
Filmmaker Singeetham Srinivasa Rao died at 95 in Chennai; one account gives the date as October 3.
He directed around 60 films across several Indian languages and English during a career spanning more than seven decades.
His works included Pushpaka Vimana, Aditya 369, Apoorva Sagodharargal, Bhairava Dweepam and Mayuri.
His final film, Sing Geetham, was a musical fantasy produced by Nag Ashwin and released in June 2026.
The film uses sung dialogue throughout; composer Devi Sri Prasad called making its music a major challenge.
- Who
- Filmmaker Singeetham Srinivasa Rao.
- What
- He died at 95 after a career directing around 60 films; colleagues remembered his experimental work.
- When
- Saturday; one article dates his death to October 3. His final film was released in June 2026.
- Where
- Chennai, India.
- Why
- The first report says he died following health complications.
Reported career span
Different accounts
How long his career lasted
Reported career span
One report describes his career as spanning six decades.
Different accounts
Another describes it as more than seven decades.
- Age at death
- 95
- Place of death
- Chennai
- Film career
- Around 60 films across Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi and English
- Career duration
- More than seven decades, according to one article
- Final film
- Sing Geetham, released in June 2026 and produced by Nag Ashwin
- Final film format
- Musical fantasy with dialogue delivered through song
- Honours
- Two National Film Awards, plus state and Filmfare Awards South honours; Lifetime Achievement Award from the Film Federation of India in 2011
