Director and writer Singeetham Srinivasa Rao dies at 94
Singeetham Srinivasa Rao, the director and writer associated with films including Pushpak Vimana, Aditya 369 and Michael Madana Kama Rajan, has died at 94 in Chennai. Family and friends said he passed away at Kaveri Hospital on Saturday evening after a career spanning several languages and film roles.
Film director and writer Singeetham Srinivasa Rao has died at the age of 94 in Chennai, according to his family and friends. He passed away at Kaveri Hospital on Saturday evening. Born in Gudur in Nellore district, Rao entered the screen at 41 as the writer and director of the Telugu film Neeti Nijayati in 1972.
Before directing, he worked as a dialogue writer for filmmaker K.V. Reddy and assisted him on the 1957 Telugu film Mayabazar. Rao went on to direct films in multiple languages.
Among the works listed in the source material are Pushpak Vimana, a dialogue-free film starring Kamal Haasan and Amala, Pantulamma, Zamindaru Gari Ammayi, America Ammayi, Pilla Zamindar and Mayuri. His filmography also included Apoorva Sagodharargal, Michael Madana Kama Rajan and Aditya 369. The source describes him as having directed, written or otherwise played a role in bringing dozens of films to the screen.
His work extended beyond direction and writing. Rao acted in some films and also composed a film score, reflecting the range of his involvement in cinema. His final film was Sing Geetham, a musical-fantasy comedy that he directed and scripted.
It was released in June 2026, with Rao sometimes operating the microphone remotely, according to the source. Rao’s career was marked by experimentation across genres and languages. His death closes a body of work that began with dialogue writing and assistance to K.V.
Reddy before developing into a long career as a director and writer.
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