# Singeetham Srinivasa Rao filmography
**Singeetham Srinivasa Rao** (Telugu: సింగీతం శ్రీనివాసరావు; 21 September 1931 – 3 October 2026) was an Indian film director whose credits span about sixty films in Telugu, Kannada, Tamil, Hindi, and English across more than five decades, including the dialogue-free comedy *Pushpaka Vimanam* (1987), the time-travel science-fiction film *[Aditya 369](https://www.edgepedia.org/aditya-369)* (1991), and the musical fantasy *[Sing Geetham](https://www.edgepedia.org/sing-geetham)* (2026), which he completed at age 94.[1](https://www.flickchart.com/professional/singeetam-srinivasa-rao) • [2](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/telugu/legendary-filmmaker-singeetham-srinivasa-rao-dies-at-94-in-chennai-10905732/lite/)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born / died | 21 September 1931; died 3 October 2026 in Chennai, reported at age 94 by The Indian Express and 95 by Variety and IMDb[2](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/telugu/legendary-filmmaker-singeetham-srinivasa-rao-dies-at-94-in-chennai-10905732/lite/) • [3](https://varietyindia.com/singeetham-srinivasa-rao-indian-filmmaker-behind-pushpaka-vimana-michael-madana-kama-rajan-and-aditya-369-dies-at-95/) • [4](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0801870/) |
| Output | About sixty films directed in Telugu, Kannada, Tamil, Hindi, and English[1](https://www.flickchart.com/professional/singeetam-srinivasa-rao) |
| Debut | *Neeti Nijayiti* (1972), an offbeat Telugu film; he began as an associate to director K.V. Reddy[5](https://dff.nic.in/images/Documents/139_IPCatalogue1985.pdf) |
| Major awards | Two National Film Awards, five Nandi Awards, three Karnataka State Film Awards, three Filmfare Awards South[1](https://www.flickchart.com/professional/singeetam-srinivasa-rao) |
| Signature films | *Pushpaka Vimanam* (1987, dialogue-free), *Aditya 369* (1991, science fiction), *Mayuri* (1985), *Bhairava Dweepam* (1994)[3](https://varietyindia.com/singeetham-srinivasa-rao-indian-filmmaker-behind-pushpaka-vimana-michael-madana-kama-rajan-and-aditya-369-dies-at-95/) • [6](https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/at-94-director-singeetham-srinivasa-rao-remains-indian-cinemas-great-experimenter-2924025-2026-06-09) |
| Final film | *Sing Geetham* (2026), a musical fantasy produced by Nag Ashwin, released 12 June 2026[7](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/sing-geetham-movie-review-at-94-singeetam-srinivasa-rao-delivers-a-musical-fable-10736104/lite/) |
## Training and debut
Rao was a Physics graduate of Madras University and began his film career as an associate director to K.V. Reddy, whose credits included the Telugu classics *Donga Ramudu* and *Mayabazar*; he also served as executive director of Pattabi Rama Reddy's Kannada film *Samskara*.[5](https://dff.nic.in/images/Documents/139_IPCatalogue1985.pdf) His first feature as director was *Neeti Nijayiti* (1972).[5](https://dff.nic.in/images/Documents/139_IPCatalogue1985.pdf) His early Telugu films mixed social and family subjects with genre experiments: *Panthulamma* (1977) received four [Nandi Awards](https://www.edgepedia.org/nandi-awards), and *Taram Marindi* won the Nandi Award for Best Telugu Film.[5](https://dff.nic.in/images/Documents/139_IPCatalogue1985.pdf)
## Telugu films as director
The Telugu-language director credits listed on Filmibeat run as follows:[8](https://telugu.filmibeat.com/celebs/singeetam-srinivasa-rao/filmography.html)
| Film | Release date |
|---|---|
| *Panthulamma* | 1977 |
| *Sommokadidhi Sokokadidhi* | 11 May 1979 |
| *Amavasya Chandrudu* | 10 April 1982 |
| *Raju Rani Jackie* | 1983 |
| *Vasantha Geetham* | 1984 |
| *Sangeetha Samrat* | 1984 |
| *Mayuri* | January 1985 |
| *America Abbayi* | 1987 |
| *Pushpaka Vimanam* | 1987 |
| *Vichitra Sodarulu* | 17 April 1989 |
| *Aditya 369* | 18 August 1991 |
| *Brindavanam* | 1993 |
| *Bhairava Dweepam* | 14 April 1994 |
| *Madam* | 1994 |
| *Sri Krishnarjuna Vijayam* | 15 May 1996 |
| *Rajahamsa* | 1998 |
| *Akasa Veedhilo* | 23 August 2001 |
| *Vijayam* | 9 May 2003 |
| *Mumbai Xpress* | 14 April 2005 |
| *Welcome Obama* | 25 September 2013 |
Two of these defined his reputation beyond routine commercial cinema. *Mayuri* (1985) cast the dancer [Sudha Chandran](https://www.edgepedia.org/sudha-chandran) in a dramatization of her own comeback after losing a leg.[3](https://varietyindia.com/singeetham-srinivasa-rao-indian-filmmaker-behind-pushpaka-vimana-michael-madana-kama-rajan-and-aditya-369-dies-at-95/) *Aditya 369* (1991), with [Nandamuri Balakrishna](https://www.edgepedia.org/nandamuri-balakrishna), took [Telugu cinema](https://www.edgepedia.org/telugu-cinema) into science fiction with a time-travel plot years before the genre became commercially viable in the industry.[6](https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/at-94-director-singeetham-srinivasa-rao-remains-indian-cinemas-great-experimenter-2924025-2026-06-09)
## Pushpaka Vimanam
*Pushpaka Vimanam* (1987), released as *Pushpak* in Hindi and *Pesum Padam* in Tamil, was made without a single line of dialogue while retaining sound, music, and ambient noise, telling its story entirely through images.[9](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/telugu/singeetham-srinivasa-rao-was-one-of-a-kind-54-years-five-languages-zero-repetitions-10906480/) Because there was no dialogue to translate, the cast could be drawn from across India, and the film won the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment.[3](https://varietyindia.com/singeetham-srinivasa-rao-indian-filmmaker-behind-pushpaka-vimana-michael-madana-kama-rajan-and-aditya-369-dies-at-95/) The Indian Express lists it, alongside *Aditya 369*, the fantasy *[Bhairava Dweepam](https://www.edgepedia.org/bhairava-dweepam)*, and *Mayuri*, as the work on which his reputation for innovation rests.[9](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/telugu/singeetham-srinivasa-rao-was-one-of-a-kind-54-years-five-languages-zero-repetitions-10906480/)
## Tamil, Kannada, Hindi, and English films
Rao's Tamil work with [Kamal Haasan](https://www.edgepedia.org/kamal-haasan) became a defining actor-director partnership: *Raja Paarvai* (1981), *Apoorva Sagodharargal* (1989), *[Michael Madana Kama Rajan](https://www.edgepedia.org/michael-madana-kama-rajan)* (1990), *Pushpak* (1987), *Magalir Mattum* (1994), *Chinna Vathiyar* (1995), *Kaathala Kaathala* (1998), and *Mumbai Xpress* (2005).[10](https://technosports.co.in/entertainment/person/singeetam-srinivasa-rao/) In Kannada he directed *Haalu Jenu* (1982), *Chalisuva Modagalu* (1982), *Anand* (1986), and *Bhagyada Lakshmi Baramma* (1986), among others.[10](https://technosports.co.in/entertainment/person/singeetam-srinivasa-rao/) His Tamil debut *Dikkatra Parvathi* (1974) won a National Award as well as a Filmfare Award.[5](https://dff.nic.in/images/Documents/139_IPCatalogue1985.pdf) • [11](https://www.newindianexpress.com/amp/story/states/tamil-nadu/2026/Oct/04/singeetham-srinivasa-rao-dies-at-95)
Later credits moved into animation and English-language production: *Little John* (2001), *Son of Alladin* (2003), and the animated *Ghatothkach* (2008), which he also wrote.[10](https://technosports.co.in/entertainment/person/singeetam-srinivasa-rao/) • [12](https://www.indianfilmhistory.com/crew/singeetam-srinivasa-rao) He also worked in Malayalam, with *Nira Parayum Nilavilakkum* among his listed films.[5](https://dff.nic.in/images/Documents/139_IPCatalogue1985.pdf)
## Acting and other credits
Rao appeared on screen as well as behind the camera. He played supporting parts in *Magalir Mattum* (1994), an uncredited role in *Michael Madana Kama Rajan* (1990), a cameo at the Madras Cultural Club in *Kanche* (2015), Sandy's grandfather in *Varudu* (2010), and a role in *[Bhale Unnade](https://www.edgepedia.org/bhale-unnade)* (2024).[10](https://technosports.co.in/entertainment/person/singeetam-srinivasa-rao/) • [12](https://www.indianfilmhistory.com/crew/singeetam-srinivasa-rao) He also composed music, credited as music director on *Welcome Obama* (2013) and *Adavi Chukka* (2010) on Telugu listings, and worked as screenwriter and dialogue writer on many of his own films.[8](https://telugu.filmibeat.com/celebs/singeetam-srinivasa-rao/filmography.html) • [13](https://in.bookmyshow.com/person/singeetam-srinivasa-rao/29685/filmography)
## Sing Geetham and the final years
Rao's last film, *Sing Geetham*, grew from an idea he said he had carried for roughly forty years: a film in which every line of dialogue is sung, so that the story is delivered entirely in song.[14](https://www.telugutimes.net/cinema/cinema-interviews/singeetham-srinivasa-rao-interview-about-sing-geetham-382945.html) The film was produced by [Nag Ashwin](https://www.edgepedia.org/nag-ashwin) under [Vyjayanthi Movies](https://www.edgepedia.org/vyjayanthi-movies) with Swapna Cinema and released on 12 June 2026, when Rao was 94.[7](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/sing-geetham-movie-review-at-94-singeetam-srinivasa-rao-delivers-a-musical-fable-10736104/lite/) Reviewers described it as a musical fantasy and folkloric eco-fable, and noted that it made him one of the oldest active filmmakers in the world.[7](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/sing-geetham-movie-review-at-94-singeetam-srinivasa-rao-delivers-a-musical-fable-10736104/lite/) • [15](https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/reviews/story/sing-geetham-review-singeetham-srinivasa-rao-musical-fantasy-folklore-eco-fable-2925650-2026-06-12)
He died at Kauvery Hospital in Chennai on 3 October 2026 after treatment for age-related ailments, a few months after the film's release.[2](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/telugu/legendary-filmmaker-singeetham-srinivasa-rao-dies-at-94-in-chennai-10905732/lite/)
## References
1. [Singeetam Srinivasa Rao – History & Filmography, Flickchart](https://www.flickchart.com/professional/singeetam-srinivasa-rao)
2. [Legendary filmmaker Singeetham Srinivasa Rao dies at 94, The Indian Express](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/telugu/legendary-filmmaker-singeetham-srinivasa-rao-dies-at-94-in-chennai-10905732/lite/)
3. [Singeetham Srinivasa Rao, Indian Filmmaker Behind 'Pushpaka Vimana,' 'Michael Madana Kama Rajan' and 'Aditya 369' Dies at 95, Variety India](https://varietyindia.com/singeetham-srinivasa-rao-indian-filmmaker-behind-pushpaka-vimana-michael-madana-kama-rajan-and-aditya-369-dies-at-95/)
4. [Singeetam Srinivasa Rao, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0801870/)
5. [THE DIRECTOR, Directorate of Film Festivals catalogue (1985)](https://dff.nic.in/images/Documents/139_IPCatalogue1985.pdf)
6. [At 94, director Singeetham Srinivasa Rao remains Indian cinema's great experimenter, India Today](https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/at-94-director-singeetham-srinivasa-rao-remains-indian-cinemas-great-experimenter-2924025-2026-06-09)
7. [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/)
8. [సింగీతం శ్రీనివాస రావు ఫిల్మోగ్రఫీ, Filmibeat Telugu](https://telugu.filmibeat.com/celebs/singeetam-srinivasa-rao/filmography.html)
9. [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/)
10. [Singeetam Srinivasa Rao: Movies & Web Series on OTT, TechnoSports](https://technosports.co.in/entertainment/person/singeetam-srinivasa-rao/)
11. [Singeetham Srinivasa Rao dies at 95, The New Indian Express](https://www.newindianexpress.com/amp/story/states/tamil-nadu/2026/Oct/04/singeetham-srinivasa-rao-dies-at-95)
12. [Singeetam Srinivasa Rao Filmography, Indian Film History](https://www.indianfilmhistory.com/crew/singeetam-srinivasa-rao)
13. [Singeetam Srinivasa Rao filmography, BookMyShow](https://in.bookmyshow.com/person/singeetam-srinivasa-rao/29685/filmography)
14. [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)
15. [Sing Geetham review: A grandfather's tale told by 94-year-old master storyteller, India Today](https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/reviews/story/sing-geetham-review-singeetham-srinivasa-rao-musical-fantasy-folklore-eco-fable-2925650-2026-06-12)
---
*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Awards and screen reference › Individual filmographies › South Asian filmographies*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 30, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 11, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license