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Singeetham Srinivasa Rao: The filmmaker who never stopped dreaming
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Singeetham Srinivasa Rao
The work of legendary filmmaker Singeetham Srinivasa Rao has always been characterised by an insatiable need to explore, an inquisitive mind and a desire to experiment. At 94 years old, he still had time for writing stories for the screen. With his passing away on October 3, 2026 in Chennai, an era of Indian cinema came to an end. But his works and thoughts will continue to inspire younger generations of filmmakers.
Right after the news of his death broke out, director-producer Nag Ashwin shared a screenshot of a message, received by Rao himself on September 5, 2026. It was a simple note, which clearly demonstrates that till the very end he remained passionate about cinema and its people.
Over his seven-decade-long career, Rao has worked in different languages and genres. His films Pushpak, Aditya 369, Bhairava Dweepam, Mayuri, Apoorva Sagotharargal, Michael Madana Kama Rajan and Raaja Paarvai are recognised as masterclasses on approaching the well-known concepts from an unexpected angle. For Rao, filmmaking has always been a constant search and a challenge. In one of the interviews, he noted that his films are mostly riddles, the solutions to which he finds while shooting them. Thinking about a film as a serious project, which will following a precise scheme did not sit well with him. This approach has consistently shown its results, as it was the case with the science fiction film, Pushpak, which was mostly silent and did not have any songs. While commenting on the curious experiment, he simply said that the reason for it was “Why not?”.
Rao’s creative journey took a particularly interesting turn recently, as he got a chance to rework one of his own ideas, which he had almost forgotten about. Sing Geetham, the musical fantasy-drama film, which was planned to be shot in an unusual format, hit the screens almost 40 years after its initial conception. Set in the fictional village of Kuberapuram, the film tells the story of ecological catastrophe, which was the result of humans’ reckless behaviour. Rao surprised everyone by suggesting that in the film, all the dialogues would be presented in the form of songs. Despite some producers’ unwillingness to take on the project, Nag Ashwin, along with Swapna and Priyanka Dutt, saw the potential in the unusual concept.
Despite multiple health issues, which prevented regular filming sessions, Rao remained in touch with the young team of the film, headed by Sankalp Gora. The film was eventually released and became a great success, as it provided the viewers with an unforgettable experience.
His contribution to the film industry has had a lasting effect, not only in the works of his mentees. Rao has been working with some of the biggest names in Indian cinema. He started as an assistant director for legendary KV Reddy on the film Mayabazar. Decades later, Nag Ashwin asked him for advice while working on the film Mahanati. His input allowed for creating one of the most memorable scenes of the film, which depicted the events from the shooting of Mayabazar.
Many contemporary filmmakers have recognised Rao for his contribution to the development of Indian cinema. Hanu-Man director Prasanth Varma, who was mentored by him at the beginning of his career, described him as the “Indian Steven Spielberg” of the era. Vivek Athreya also fondly remembers the collaboration with the mastermind, while Mohana Krishna Indraganti and Venkatesh Maha highlight Rao’s unique sense of humour and attention to detail.
Singeetham Srinivasa Rao always saw cinema as a hobby. He actively participated in the process of making films, simply because he enjoyed the experience. He even compared it to a holiday. This philosophy has allowed him to not only achieve much success within the industry but also to continuously seek new challenges. The work of Singeetham Srinivasa Rao has consistently broken the mould and redefined the rules. Srinivasa Rao’s greatest legacy is the example he has set for his students, collaborators, and future filmmakers. No matter what the task is, no matter how seemingly impossible the project might seem, there is always a way to achieve the desired result. One must only have the desire and the courage to pursue their dreams.
