Chennai: Veteran filmmaker Singeetham Srinivasa Rao, celebrated for pushing the boundaries of Indian cinema with films such as Pushpaka Vimanam and Aditya 369, died at Kauvery Hospital in Chennai on Saturday night. He was 94.
Singeetham had been undergoing treatment for age-related health complications after his condition deteriorated in recent days. His grandson Ashwin said the filmmaker’s cremation will be held at 4:30 pm at AVM Crematorium in Chennai.
Born on September 21, 1931, in Gudur, Andhra Pradesh, Singeetham began his career as an assistant to filmmaker L.V. Prasad made his directorial debut with Neeti Nijayiti in 1972. Over a six-decade career spanning five languages, he became known for experimenting across genres.
His dialogue-free black comedy Pushpaka Vimanam, starring Kamal Haasan, won the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment. Aditya 369, starring Nandamuri Balakrishna, explored time travel and is regarded as the first Telugu science-fiction film on the subject.
His other notable works included Mayuri and Bhairava Dweepam, which completed a 100-day run in 28 centres.
Tributes poured in from Jr NTR, Chiranjeevi, Sudheer Babu, Kiran Abbavaram, Venkatesh Daggubati and composer Devi Sri Prasad, who praised his originality, positivity and lasting influence.
His final film, Sing Geetham, produced by Nag Ashwin, was completed earlier this year.
