Singeetham Srinivasa Rao death: Kamal Haasan, S.S. Rajamouli, Jr NTR and more mourn legendary filmmaker

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Kamal Haasan, S.S. Rajamouli, Jr NTR and more mourn legendary filmmaker Singeetham Srinivasa Rao | Photo Credit: THG, PTI

Legendary filmmaker Singeetham Srinivasa Rao, whose boundary-pushing career produced landmark films including Pushpaka Vimanam, Michael Madana Kama Rajan, Aditya 369, Mayuri and Apoorva Sagodharargal, died in Chennai on October 3 after being treated for age-related health complications. He was 94.

His death has since prompted an outpouring of tributes from the Tamil and Telugu film industries, with actors and filmmakers remembering him as an uncompromising innovator who continued experimenting with cinema well into his 90s.

Among the most personal tributes came from veteran actor Kamal Haasan, whose creative partnership with Singeetham produced some of the most distinctive films in Indian cinema. Haasan, who worked with the filmmaker on Michael Madana Kama Rajan, Raja Paarvai, Apoorva Sagodharargal, and the dialogue-free Pushpaka Vimanam, described himself as one of the disciples who had walked alongside him. In his tribute, Haasan wrote that “dying young need not be a tragedy” and said he now aspired to live as Singeetham did.

சிங்கீதம் காரு தன் சித்தப்படி இளமையில், இளமையுடன் உயிர் நீத்தார். அவர் இளமை பலருக்கும் தொற்றாது. அந்த குணம் தொற்றவேண்டும் என்ற ஆசையில் அவர் கை பற்றி நடந்த நண்பர்களுள் சீடர்களுள் நானும் உளேன். - கமல் ஹாசன் Dying young need not be a tragedy. It can be glorious. Singeetham Srinivasa Rao is a great example. I have admired him since I knew him. Now I aspire to live like he did. - Kamal Haasan

Telugu stalwart S.S. Rajamouli also mourned the loss of the filmmaker, crediting Singeetham with influencing an entire generation of directors. He recalled how the filmmaker dared to attempt ideas that appeared impossible without the technology or budgets available today. Rajamouli also highlighted Singeetham’s ability to move from a film without dialogue to time travel, comedy, fantasy and human drama, concluding that he demonstrated how imagination remains cinema’s greatest limit and possibility.

Long before we had the tools or the budgets, he dared to dream bigger than anyone around him. He made a film without a single line of dialogue, took us travelling through time, and moved from comedy to fantasy to deeply human drama as if no line existed between genres. He showed a whole generation of us that the only real limit in cinema is imagination. Every filmmaker who has tried something different in Telugu cinema owes him something, knowingly or not. I certainly do. My deepest condolences to Singeetham Srinivasa Rao garu's family. Om Shanti 🙏

Actor Jr NTR remembered Singeetham as “a visionary who thought ahead of his time,” specifically citing Aditya 369, Pushpaka Vimanam and Mayuri as films that continue to feel fresh across generations. Mahesh Babu similarly called him a “giant of Indian cinema,” praising his extraordinary imagination, courage and brilliance.

సింగీతం శ్రీనివాసరావు గారు ఇక లేరన్న వార్త ఎంతో బాధాకరం. ఆదిత్య 369, పుష్పక విమానం, మయూరి… కాలానికి ముందే ఆలోచించి, తరాలు మారినా కొత్తగా అనిపించే సినిమాలు అందించిన దార్శనికుడు. వారి కుటుంబ సభ్యులకు నా ప్రగాఢ సానుభూతి. ఓం శాంతి 🙏

Seasoned Telugu star Chiranjeevi remembered Singeetham as a true visionary whose courage to explore unfamiliar ideas gave Indian cinema some of its most unforgettable films. He also pointed to Sing Geetham, the filmmaker’s final directorial venture, as evidence of his enduring curiosity and passion for storytelling.

Deeply saddened by the passing of the legendary filmmaker 'Singeetam Srinivasa Rao' garu. A true visionary, his imagination and courage to explore new ideas gave Indian cinema some of its most unforgettable films. His contribution to cinema will always be remembered with immense respect and affection. His recent film 'Sing Geetham' was a beautiful testament to his undying passion for storytelling. At heart, he remained forever young, curious and eager to create. My heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. We will miss you, Singeetam garu. Your films will continue to speak to generations. Om Shanti 🙏

Venkatesh Daggubati described Singeetham as a filmmaker defined by curiosity, originality and playfulness, saying his death marked the end of an extraordinary chapter in Telugu cinema. Composer Devi Sri Prasad, who worked with the filmmaker on Sing Geetham, called him an “unparalleled legend” and praised the futuristic ideas and techniques in his films as lessons for future generations.

Dearest SINGEETAM SIR.. We wil MISS YOU Sir.. You will always live in our Hearts ❤️ You are an Unparalleled LEGEND.. An Everest of Positivity filled with Evergreen Youth.. The Movies You made with such Fururistic Ideas and Techniques are lessons to all of us and the Future Generations of Film Makers too 🙏🏻❤️ Thankyou & Love You for Everything Sir.. Iam blessed to have known You & worked with You Sir 🙏🏻 #SingeetamSrinivasRaoLivesOn

Vijay Deverakonda, who made a special appearance in Sing Geetham, recalled how Singeetham had continued to call and encourage him since Pelli Choopulu, expressing gratitude for having been part of the veteran filmmaker’s final vision.

Singeetham sir ❤️ Your beliefs, your thoughts and your stories will live on with us forever. For everytime you called me since Pellichoopulu to shower love and effection, i hope it made you happy and brought a smile seeing me in one of your films - Sing Geetham ❤️ I feel happy to have been a part of one of your vision. My forever respect ❤️

Nag Ashwin, the filmmaker behind Mahanati and Kalki 2898 AD and the producer of Sing Geetham, also shared a screenshot of his WhatsApp conversation with the veteran director, suggesting that the filmmaker was still developing new ideas just weeks before his death.

Singeetham’s career spanned Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Hindi and Malayalam cinema, with credits across comedy, fantasy, science fiction, drama and musical films. His collaborations with Nandamuri Balakrishna included Aditya 369 and Bhairava Dweepam. In Kannada cinema, he worked with Dr Rajkumar and directed Chalisuva Modagalu, while also introducing Shivarajkumar as a lead actor in Anand. His final directorial film Sing Geetham, released in June this year.

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