Indian filmmaker Singeetham Srinivasa Rao, known for Pushpaka Vimana, Michael Madana Kama Rajan and Aditya 369, dies at 95

CHENNAI, 4 OCTOBER 2026 —

Legendary Indian filmmaker Singeetham Srinivasa Rao, whose career spanned over six decades and left an indelible mark on Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Hindi cinema, has died at the age of 95.

Rao’s death marks the end of an era in South Indian cinema, where his innovative storytelling and genre-blending films—ranging from mythological epics to science fiction and musicals—earned him widespread acclaim. His final film, Sing Geetham, a musical where the cast sings instead of speaks, was released in June this year, making it his first directorial project in a decade. The film underscored his enduring creativity and ability to reinvent himself even in his ninth decade.

Born and trained under the guidance of director K.V. Reddy, Rao began his career assisting on classics like Mayabazar (1957) and Jagadeka Veeruni Katha (1961). He made his directorial debut in 1972 with Neethi Nijayithi, a Telugu drama, before achieving national recognition with Dikkatra Parvathi (1974), which won the Indian National Film Award for Best Tamil Feature.

His collaboration with actor Kamal Haasan began in 1979 with Sommokadidhi Sokokadidhi, a Telugu comedy where Haasan played dual roles. Their partnership yielded several landmark films, including Pushpaka Vimana (1987)—a dialogue-free comedy that won the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment—and the critically acclaimed Michael Madana Kama Rajan (1990), where Haasan portrayed four distinct characters.

Rao’s versatility extended beyond Tamil and Telugu, with a prolific run in Kannada cinema alongside superstar Rajkumar, directing seven films for him, including Haalu Jenu (1982). His work in Telugu also included Mayuri (1985), a tribute to dancer Sudha Chandran’s comeback after losing a leg, which won 14 Nandi Awards—the highest number ever for a single film in Andhra Pradesh.

Later collaborations with Nandamuri Balakrishna, such as Aditya 369 (1991) and Bhairava Dweepam (1994), further cemented his reputation as a visionary director. Rao received the Film Federation of India’s Life Achievement Award in 2011, along with three Karnataka State Film Awards, recognizing his contributions to Indian cinema.

While Rao’s passing may not have direct economic implications for Malaysia, his influence on South Indian cinema resonates across the region, where his films have been widely distributed and celebrated. His legacy includes breaking barriers in storytelling, particularly with dialogue-free and multilingual projects that expanded the reach of Indian cinema.

As tributes pour in from the film industry, Rao’s final work, Sing Geetham, stands as a testament to his enduring artistic spirit, leaving behind a body of work that continues to inspire filmmakers across India and beyond.

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