Singeetham Srinivasa Rao dies at 94: Pushpaka Vimanam director remembered by Kamal Haasan

Filmmaker Singeetham Srinivasa Rao, who directed the dialogue-free comedy Pushpaka Vimanam and the time-travel film Aditya 369, died in Chennai on Saturday night, October 3. The Indian Express reported that he was 94 and that the cause was age-related health complications. Hindustan Times, which spells his name Singeetam, described him as a veteran filmmaker, screenwriter and composer whose career ran for more than six decades across several Indian languages.

Tributes began arriving from across Telugu, Tamil and Kannada cinema within hours. Kamal Haasan, who worked with him on some of his best-known films, paid his last respects at the late director’s residence, according to The Indian Express.

Key facts: Singeetham Srinivasa Rao

Detail	What was reported
Died	Saturday night, October 3, in Chennai
Place	Kauvery Hospital, Chennai, per The Indian Express; a private hospital in Chennai in its tribute coverage
Age	94 in The Indian Express and Hindustan Times reports
Cause	Age-related health complications, per The Indian Express
Born	September 21, 1931, in Gudur, Andhra Pradesh, per The Indian Express
Final rites	Scheduled for 2 pm on Sunday; remains kept at his residence in Virugambakkam, per The Indian Express
Final film	A musical fantasy produced by Nag Ashwin, completed earlier this year

What happened

The Indian Express reported that Rao had been admitted to Kauvery Hospital after his health deteriorated recently and had been receiving treatment for age-related ailments. He died there on Saturday night. A later tribute report from the same outlet said his mortal remains were kept at his home in Virugambakkam, with final rites set for 2 pm on Sunday.

A note on the age: The Indian Express’s main report, Hindustan Times and many of the tributes it quotes say he was 94, but one line in the outlet’s tribute coverage says 95, and so does actor Nani in his post. The Indian Express’s own profile gives his date of birth as September 21, 1931. This article uses 94, the age in both outlets’ lead reports.

A career across five languages

According to The Indian Express, Rao began as an assistant to director L V Prasad before making his directorial debut with Neeti Nijayiti in 1972. Hindustan Times gives a different starting point, reporting that he began his journey by working with filmmaker K V Reddy and was associated with the classic Mayabazar, released in 1957. Both outlets agree that he went on to direct a body of work spanning around six decades; The Indian Express says five languages, and Hindustan Times says more than 60 films across comedy, science fiction, fantasy and drama.

The Indian Express listed among his films Dikkatra Parvathi (1974), Tharam Marindi (1977), Panthulamma (1978), Mayuri (1985), Anand (1986), Pushpaka Vimana (1987), Aditya 369 (1991), Brundavanam (1992), Magalir Mattum (1994), Bhairava Dweepam (1994), Madam (1994) and Son of Aladdin (2003).

The titles most often cited are these:

• Mayuri, released in 1985 and based on the life of dancer Sudha Chandran, which Hindustan Times said won several honours including multiple Nandi Awards.
• Pushpaka Vimana, a 1987 black comedy starring Kamal Haasan, made without spoken dialogue, which won the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment.
• Aditya 369, starring Nandamuri Balakrishna with music by Ilaiyaraaja, which The Indian Express called the first Telugu science fiction film to depict time travel.
• Bhairava Dweepam, also with Balakrishna, a high-fantasy adventure that The Indian Express said completed a 100-day run in 28 centres.

His work with Kamal Haasan also produced Apoorva Sagodharargal and Michael Madana Kama Rajan, Hindustan Times noted. Karnataka’s former chief minister Siddaramaiah recalled in his tribute that Rao’s association with Dr Rajkumar gave the Kannada industry films such as Haalu Jenu, Chalisuva Modagalu, Bhagyada Lakshmi Baramma and Devatha Manushya.

Still working at 94

The Indian Express said Rao “refused to stop” even in his nineties. His final film, Sing Geetham, a musical fantasy produced by Nag Ashwin, was completed earlier this year, the outlet reported in its obituary, and a later tribute report said it reached cinemas earlier this year. Chiranjeevi called it “a beautiful testament to his undying passion for storytelling”. Filmmaker Sreekar wrote that he had spoken to Rao only a couple of weeks ago and that Rao “was excited to share a new idea”.

Tributes from the industry

Jr NTR wrote on X that Rao was “a visionary who thought ahead of his time, delivering films that feel fresh even across generations”. Kamal Haasan wrote: “Dying young need not be a tragedy. It can be glorious. Singeetham Srinivasa Rao is a great example.” He added that he has admired Rao since he knew him and now aspires to live as he did.

SS Rajamouli wrote that Rao “made a film without a single line of dialogue, took us travelling through time” and that every filmmaker who has tried something different in Telugu cinema owes him something. Mahesh Babu called him “a giant of Indian cinema”, according to Hindustan Times, which also reported that former Andhra Pradesh chief minister Jagan Mohan Reddy called him “a true pioneer”.

The Indian Express’s tribute page collected many more. Actor Shiva Rajkumar said Rao gave him his start with Anand and called him “the best example” that age is just a number. Nani wrote that whenever Rao called, he “jumped straight to the idea he had and to the film he wanted to make”. Vijay Deverakonda thanked him for calling since Pellichoopulu and said he was happy to have been part of Sing Geetham. Rishab Shetty, Nagarjuna Akkineni, Venkatesh Daggubati, Pawan Kalyan, Vishnu Manchu, Manoj Manchu, Devi Sri Prasad and Khushbu Sundar also posted tributes, as did Siddaramaiah and R Sarath Kumar.

Rajamouli and Karthi were also among those who visited the residence to pay their last respects, according to The Indian Express.

What happens next

The Indian Express reported that final rites were scheduled for 2 pm on Sunday, with his remains kept at his Virugambakkam residence until then. No other memorial events have been announced.

Frequently asked questions

When did Singeetham Srinivasa Rao die?

The Indian Express reported that he died on Saturday night, October 3, at Kauvery Hospital in Chennai, from age-related health complications. Hindustan Times also reported his death on Saturday at the age of 94.

What films did Singeetham Srinivasa Rao direct?

According to The Indian Express and Hindustan Times, his best-known films include Pushpaka Vimanam, Aditya 369, Mayuri, Bhairava Dweepam, Apoorva Sagodharargal and Michael Madana Kama Rajan. His last film was Sing Geetham.

When is Singeetham Srinivasa Rao’s funeral?

The Indian Express reported that his remains were kept at his residence in Virugambakkam, Chennai, with final rites scheduled for 2 pm on Sunday, October 4.