Filmmaker Singeetham Srinivasa Rao Passes Away in Chennai; Revanth Reddy Condoles
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy expressed deep grief over the passing of legendary filmmaker Singeetham Srinivasa Rao, who passed away in Chennai on Saturday after a brief illness. The veteran director had been undergoing medical treatment at Kauvery Hospital prior to his death.
In a message issued from Hyderabad, Revanth Reddy described the director's demise as an irreparable loss to the film industry. The Chief Minister stated that Singeetham Srinivasa Rao’s vast contributions to Indian cinema would always be remembered, while extending his deepest condolences to the bereaved family members and offering prayers for their strength.
Singeetham began his career in the film industry as an assistant to legendary director K.V. Reddy, working on classic titles including Mayabazar before establishing his own directorial career. His body of work subsequently spanned multiple languages, directing prominent features across Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Hindi, and English cinema.
In Telugu cinema, Singeetham broke new ground by exploring science fiction in the Nandamuri Balakrishna-starrer Aditya 369 and fantasy in Bhairava Dweepam, both of which gained cult status. His directorial credits also featured celebrated titles such as Mayuri, Apoorva Sagodharargal, Michael Madana Kama Rajan, Sommokadidhi Sokokadidhi, and Raja Paarvai, along with a string of successful Kannada films starring Rajkumar.
Throughout his career, the filmmaker became known for refusing confinement to a single genre, moving freely across comedy, drama, science fiction, fantasy, animation, and experimental films. From the silent black comedy Pushpaka Vimana to his final years, he continued to embrace cinematic experimentation, having been celebrated just weeks before his death for Sing Geetham.
Over decades in cinema, Singeetham received numerous major honours, including National Film Awards, Nandi Awards, Karnataka State Film Awards, and Filmfare Awards South. His wife Lakshmi Kalyani, who actively assisted him with scripts and played a significant role in his creative journey, passed away in Chennai in 2022 after a prolonged illness, inspiring him to write Srikalyaniyam in her memory.
