# Singeetam Srinivasa Rao (సింగీతం శ్రీనివాస రావు)
**Singeetam Srinivasa Rao** (సింగీతం శ్రీనివాస రావు; 21 September 1931 – 3 October 2026) was an Indian film director, screenwriter, composer and actor who worked across Telugu, Kannada, Tamil, Hindi and English cinema over a career of more than seven decades, directing about 60 films.[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0801870/) • [2](https://ssr-internal.getlokalapp.com/ssr?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftamil.getlokalapp.com%2Ftelangana-news%2Fthis-is-the-film-career-of-singeetham-srinivasa-rao-17286048) He is known for genre experiments rare in mainstream Indian film, including the dialogue-free comedy *Pushpaka Vimana* (1987) and the time-travel science fiction film *Aditya 369* (1991).[3](https://www.hollywoodreporterindia.com/features/interviews/singeetham-srinivasa-rao-interview-from-pushpaka-vimana-to-sing-geetham-and-future-plans) • [4](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/telugu/singeetam-srinivasa-rao-ssr61-announcement-nag-ashwin-comeback-94-years-old-10511669/lite/) His 61st and final film, the musical fantasy *[Sing Geetham](https://www.edgepedia.org/sing-geetham)*, was released in June 2026, when he was 94.[5](https://www.hollywoodreporterindia.com/features/insight/michael-madana-kama-rajan-to-sing-geetham-5-essential-singeetam-srinivasa-rao-films-to-watch)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born / died | 21 September 1931, Udayagiri, Nellore District, Andhra Pradesh; 3 October 2026, Chennai, India, aged 95[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0801870/) |
| Career span | Assistant director from 1957 (*Mayabazar*) to his 61st film *Sing Geetham* (2026), about 60 films in five languages[6](https://telugucinema.com/nostalgia/singeetham-srinivasa-rao-a-filmmaker-who-refused-to-follow-the-set-rules) • [2](https://ssr-internal.getlokalapp.com/ssr?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftamil.getlokalapp.com%2Ftelangana-news%2Fthis-is-the-film-career-of-singeetham-srinivasa-rao-17286048) |
| Signature experiments | *Pushpaka Vimana* (1987), a dialogue-free black comedy; *Aditya 369* (1991), widely recognized as India's first mainstream time-travel film[3](https://www.hollywoodreporterindia.com/features/interviews/singeetham-srinivasa-rao-interview-from-pushpaka-vimana-to-sing-geetham-and-future-plans) • [4](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/telugu/singeetam-srinivasa-rao-ssr61-announcement-nag-ashwin-comeback-94-years-old-10511669/lite/) |
| Frequent collaborators | Kamal Haasan (*Pushpaka Vimana*, *Apoorva Sagodharargal*, *Michael Madana Kama Rajan*), Dr. Rajkumar in Kannada cinema, Nandamuri Balakrishna (*Aditya 369*, *Bhairava Dweepam*)[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0801870/) • [7](https://www.telugutimes.net/cinema/cinema-interviews/singeetham-srinivasa-rao-interview-about-sing-geetham-382945.html) |
| Final film | *Sing Geetham* (2026), a musical fantasy produced by Nag Ashwin with music by Devi Sri Prasad, released 11 June 2026[5](https://www.hollywoodreporterindia.com/features/insight/michael-madana-kama-rajan-to-sing-geetham-5-essential-singeetam-srinivasa-rao-films-to-watch) • [8](https://www.hindustantimes.com/telugu/entertainment/sing-geetham-movie-release-date-censor-runtime-details-director-singeetam-srinivasa-rao-261781012140619.html) |
| Awards | Nandi Award for Best Telugu Film for *Taram Marindi*[9](https://dff.nic.in/images/Documents/139_IPCatalogue1985.pdf) |
## Early life and apprenticeship
Rao was born in Udayagiri in Nellore District, Andhra Pradesh.[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0801870/) He earned a degree in physics from Madras University and worked as a teacher, journalist and playwright before entering films.[9](https://dff.nic.in/images/Documents/139_IPCatalogue1985.pdf) • [10](https://andhravilas.net/what-did-singeetam-srinivas-rao-do-before-entering-the-industry/) After failing in his first efforts to break into cinema, Rao took up teaching in Sullurupeta at the start of his career.[11](https://telugurise.com/en/singeetham-srinivasa-rao-biography)
He joined the director K.V. Reddy in 1954 and worked as an assistant director on Reddy's films from *Donga Ramudu* (1955) through *Mayabazar* (1957) and *Jagadeka Veeruni Katha*.[2](https://ssr-internal.getlokalapp.com/ssr?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftamil.getlokalapp.com%2Ftelangana-news%2Fthis-is-the-film-career-of-singeetham-srinivasa-rao-17286048) • [11](https://telugurise.com/en/singeetham-srinivasa-rao-biography) In a later interview he recalled joining *Mayabazar* (1957) as an assistant to Reddy, and said that Reddy's *Bhakta Poddana* was the movie that inspired him to make a career in films.[12](https://archive.li/HYN6Q) In 1970 he served as executive director of Pattabhirama Reddy's Kannada film *[Samskara](https://www.edgepedia.org/samskara)*.[9](https://dff.nic.in/images/Documents/139_IPCatalogue1985.pdf)
## Directing career
Rao's debut as a director was the Telugu film *Neethi Nijayathi* (1972).[2](https://ssr-internal.getlokalapp.com/ssr?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftamil.getlokalapp.com%2Ftelangana-news%2Fthis-is-the-film-career-of-singeetham-srinivasa-rao-17286048) He later said the film was praised by critics and the press but failed badly at the box office, teaching him that other praise is wasted if audiences do not accept a film.[7](https://www.telugutimes.net/cinema/cinema-interviews/singeetham-srinivasa-rao-interview-about-sing-geetham-382945.html) He followed it with Telugu films including *Pantulamma*, *Intinti Ramayanam* and *America Ammayi*, and *Taram Marindi* received the Nandi Award for Best Telugu Film.[13](https://tv9telugu.com/entertainment/tollywood/the-genius-behind-indias-hit-silent-movie-singeetham-srinivasa-rao-1739445.html) • [9](https://dff.nic.in/images/Documents/139_IPCatalogue1985.pdf)
**Kamal Haasan collaborations.** Rao's partnership with [Kamal Haasan](https://www.edgepedia.org/kamal-haasan) produced some of his best-known Tamil films. *Apoorva Sagodharargal* (1989) reworked the separated-at-birth twins premise by having Haasan play one twin as a little person, and *[Michael Madana Kama Rajan](https://www.edgepedia.org/michael-madana-kama-rajan)* used Haasan in multiple roles; these films are frequently cited as benchmarks of Indian comedy.[3](https://www.hollywoodreporterindia.com/features/interviews/singeetham-srinivasa-rao-interview-from-pushpaka-vimana-to-sing-geetham-and-future-plans) • [14](https://epaper.truepointnews.com/media/2026-05/03-05-26-apm.pdf) *Pushpaka Vimana* (1987), a black comedy starring Haasan and [Amala Akkineni](https://www.edgepedia.org/amala-akkineni) about an unemployed graduate who assumes the identity of a wealthy man, told its story entirely without dialogue, decades after sound had become standard in Indian cinema.[3](https://www.hollywoodreporterindia.com/features/interviews/singeetham-srinivasa-rao-interview-from-pushpaka-vimana-to-sing-geetham-and-future-plans)
**Science fiction and fantasy.** In *Aditya 369* (1991), featuring [Nandamuri Balakrishna](https://www.edgepedia.org/nandamuri-balakrishna) in a double role, the protagonists journey into the past to reach Sri Krishnadevaraya's court in the [Vijayanagara Empire](https://www.edgepedia.org/vijayanagara-empire), blending period drama with futuristic technology; the film is broadly acknowledged as India's first mainstream time-travel movie.[15](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/telugu/singeetham-srinivasa-rao-was-one-of-a-kind-54-years-five-languages-zero-repetitions-10906480/) • [4](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/telugu/singeetam-srinivasa-rao-ssr61-announcement-nag-ashwin-comeback-94-years-old-10511669/lite/) *Bhairava Dweepam* (1994), a high-fantasy adventure set on a mythical island ruled by a sorcerer, with a screenplay co-written with the Telugu writer Raavi Kondala Rao, completed a 100-day theatrical run in 28 centers, two decades before large-scale fantasy became commercially established in [Telugu cinema](https://www.edgepedia.org/telugu-cinema).[15](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/telugu/singeetham-srinivasa-rao-was-one-of-a-kind-54-years-five-languages-zero-repetitions-10906480/)
**Other work.** *Mayuri* (1984) told the real-life story of the classical dancer [Sudha Chandran](https://www.edgepedia.org/sudha-chandran), who lost a leg and returned to the stage.[15](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/telugu/singeetham-srinivasa-rao-was-one-of-a-kind-54-years-five-languages-zero-repetitions-10906480/) In Kannada cinema he directed films with [Dr. Rajkumar](https://www.edgepedia.org/dr-rajkumar), including *Bhagyada Lakshmi Baramma*, for which he also composed the songs and score, and he composed the songs for *Samyuktha*.[16](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/singeetham-srinivasa-rao-seven-decades-many-worlds-of-cinema/articleshow/134678197.cms) His later credits include the animation films *Ghatothkach* (2008) and *Son of Alladin* (2003), *Mumbai Express* (2005) and *Welcome Obama* (2013).[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0801870/)
## Sing Geetham
In February 2026, at 94, Rao announced his return to directing after more than a decade with *Sing Geetham*, his 61st film, produced by [Nag Ashwin](https://www.edgepedia.org/nag-ashwin), the director of *Kalki 2898 AD*, under [Vyjayanthi Movies](https://www.edgepedia.org/vyjayanthi-movies) with Swapna Cinema, with music by [Devi Sri Prasad](https://www.edgepedia.org/devi-sri-prasad).[15](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/telugu/singeetham-srinivasa-rao-was-one-of-a-kind-54-years-five-languages-zero-repetitions-10906480/) • [17](https://ntvtelugu.com/news/singhitama-sr-in-94-directing-61st-film-makes-history-930889.html) The idea had been with him for about 40 years: a film in which every line of dialogue is sung rather than spoken, unlike Broadway musicals, which keep songs and dialogue separate.[7](https://www.telugutimes.net/cinema/cinema-interviews/singeetham-srinivasa-rao-interview-about-sing-geetham-382945.html) Because of his age, Ashwin arranged for Rao to direct remotely from his home theater, watching the set live over connected cameras and monitors and giving actors directions online.[7](https://www.telugutimes.net/cinema/cinema-interviews/singeetham-srinivasa-rao-interview-about-sing-geetham-382945.html) The film was made on a budget of Rs 220 million (Rs 22 crore), and Ashwin described it as a project with no reference point in Indian cinema.[18](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/telugu/nag-ashwin-on-shooting-rs-22-cr-film-sing-geetham-with-94-year-old-singeetham-srinivasa-rao-10735042/)
*Sing Geetham* was released worldwide in theaters on 11 June 2026 with a U certificate and a runtime of 2 hours 17 minutes.[8](https://www.hindustantimes.com/telugu/entertainment/sing-geetham-movie-release-date-censor-runtime-details-director-singeetam-srinivasa-rao-261781012140619.html) The cast, led by newcomers Ayaan and Ahilya Bamroo, sang their own parts rather than using playback singers.[7](https://www.telugutimes.net/cinema/cinema-interviews/singeetham-srinivasa-rao-interview-about-sing-geetham-382945.html) Critics received it as an unconventional musical fable rooted in South Indian folk tradition; [The Indian Express](https://www.edgepedia.org/the-indian-express) rated it 4 out of 5, and reviewers praised its originality and Devi Sri Prasad's score while noting structural flaws in its first hour.[19](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/sing-geetham-movie-review-at-94-singeetam-srinivasa-rao-delivers-a-musical-fable-10736104/lite/) • [20](https://www.nowrunning.com/movie/32305/sing-geetham/reviews/)
## Death and legacy
Rao died on 3 October 2026 at Cauvery Hospital in Chennai, aged 95, a few months after *Sing Geetham*'s release.[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0801870/) • [21](https://www.mytelangana.com/telugu/movie-news/43528/veteran-movie-director-singeetham-srinivasa-rao-passed-away-at-cauvery-hospital-in-chennai-on-sunday-morning) Kamal Haasan paid his last respects, and figures including [Chiranjeevi](https://www.edgepedia.org/chiranjeevi) and Jr NTR mourned his death.[15](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/telugu/singeetham-srinivasa-rao-was-one-of-a-kind-54-years-five-languages-zero-repetitions-10906480/)
His standing rests on range rather than a single genre. Over 54 years of directing he worked in Telugu, Kannada, Tamil, Hindi and English, moving between silent comedy, science fiction, folklore-based fantasy, biographical drama, animation and musicals, and he described seeking novelty for audiences as a central part of his practice since his years with K.V. Reddy.[15](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/telugu/singeetham-srinivasa-rao-was-one-of-a-kind-54-years-five-languages-zero-repetitions-10906480/) • [7](https://www.telugutimes.net/cinema/cinema-interviews/singeetham-srinivasa-rao-interview-about-sing-geetham-382945.html) Nag Ashwin has publicly credited Rao's influence on his own filmmaking, and Rao mentored him on portions of *Kalki 2898 AD*.[3](https://www.hollywoodreporterindia.com/features/interviews/singeetham-srinivasa-rao-interview-from-pushpaka-vimana-to-sing-geetham-and-future-plans)
## References
1. [Singeetam Srinivasa Rao, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0801870/)
2. [Singeetam Srinivasa Rao's film career, Getlokal App](https://ssr-internal.getlokalapp.com/ssr?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftamil.getlokalapp.com%2Ftelangana-news%2Fthis-is-the-film-career-of-singeetham-srinivasa-rao-17286048)
3. [Veteran Director Singeetham Srinivasa Rao Talks Pushpaka Vimana, Sing Geetham, New Tech and What Comes Next, The Hollywood Reporter India](https://www.hollywoodreporterindia.com/features/interviews/singeetham-srinivasa-rao-interview-from-pushpaka-vimana-to-sing-geetham-and-future-plans)
4. [From India's first time-travel epic to SSR61, The Indian Express](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/telugu/singeetam-srinivasa-rao-ssr61-announcement-nag-ashwin-comeback-94-years-old-10511669/lite/)
5. [Michael Madana Kama Rajan to Sing Geetham: 5 Iconic Singeetam Srinivasa Rao Films, The Hollywood Reporter India](https://www.hollywoodreporterindia.com/features/insight/michael-madana-kama-rajan-to-sing-geetham-5-essential-singeetam-srinivasa-rao-films-to-watch)
6. [Singeetham Srinivasa Rao: A filmmaker who refused to follow the set rules, TeluguCinema.com](https://telugucinema.com/nostalgia/singeetham-srinivasa-rao-a-filmmaker-who-refused-to-follow-the-set-rules)
7. [Nag Ashwin made a 40-year-old dream come true: Singeetham Srinivasa Rao interview, Telugu Times](https://www.telugutimes.net/cinema/cinema-interviews/singeetham-srinivasa-rao-interview-about-sing-geetham-382945.html)
8. [Sing Geetham Movie: censor certificate and runtime, Hindustan Times Telugu](https://www.hindustantimes.com/telugu/entertainment/sing-geetham-movie-release-date-censor-runtime-details-director-singeetam-srinivasa-rao-261781012140619.html)
9. [The Director, Directorate of Film Festivals catalogue (1985)](https://dff.nic.in/images/Documents/139_IPCatalogue1985.pdf)
10. [Singeetam Srinivasa Rao: life before the film industry, Andhravilas](https://andhravilas.net/what-did-singeetam-srinivas-rao-do-before-entering-the-industry/)
11. [Singeetham Srinivasa Rao Biography, TeluguRise](https://telugurise.com/en/singeetham-srinivasa-rao-biography)
12. [Singeetam Srinivasa Rao Interview: The Golden Rule Of Cinema Is That There Is No Golden Rule, Silverscreen India](https://archive.li/HYN6Q)
13. [The Genius Behind India's Hit Silent Movie: Singeetham Srinivasa Rao, TV9 Telugu](https://tv9telugu.com/entertainment/tollywood/the-genius-behind-indias-hit-silent-movie-singeetham-srinivasa-rao-1739445.html)
14. [Singeetam Srinivasa Rao Returns at 94 with Musical Fantasy Sing Geetham, Point Screen](https://epaper.truepointnews.com/media/2026-05/03-05-26-apm.pdf)
15. [54 years, five languages, zero repetitions: Singeetham Srinivasa Rao was one of a kind, The Indian Express](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/telugu/singeetham-srinivasa-rao-was-one-of-a-kind-54-years-five-languages-zero-repetitions-10906480/)
16. [Singeetham Srinivasa Rao: Seven decades, many worlds of cinema, The Times of India](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/singeetham-srinivasa-rao-seven-decades-many-worlds-of-cinema/articleshow/134678197.cms)
17. [Legendary Director Singeetham Srinivasa Rao Makes History with 61st Film at 94, NTV Telugu](https://ntvtelugu.com/news/singhitama-sr-in-94-directing-61st-film-makes-history-930889.html)
18. [Nag Ashwin reveals hardships behind Rs 22 cr film Sing Geetham, The Indian Express](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/telugu/nag-ashwin-on-shooting-rs-22-cr-film-sing-geetham-with-94-year-old-singeetham-srinivasa-rao-10735042/)
19. [Sing Geetham movie review: At 94, Singeetam Srinivasa Rao delivers a musical fable, The Indian Express](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/sing-geetham-movie-review-at-94-singeetam-srinivasa-rao-delivers-a-musical-fable-10736104/lite/)
20. [Sing Geetham Reviews, Nowrunning](https://www.nowrunning.com/movie/32305/sing-geetham/reviews/)
21. [Veteran movie director Singeetham Srinivasa Rao passed away at Cauvery Hospital in Chennai, MyTelangana](https://www.mytelangana.com/telugu/movie-news/43528/veteran-movie-director-singeetham-srinivasa-rao-passed-away-at-cauvery-hospital-in-chennai-on-sunday-morning)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Films and standalone screen works › Film people and crafts › Directors, producers, and screenwriters › Indian and South Asian film directors › Telugu cinema directors*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 17, 2026; Sep 18, 2026; Sep 30, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Sep 18, 2026; Sep 30, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
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