Kamal Haasan, Jr NTR, Rajamouli mourn Singeetam Srinivasa Rao's death
Synopsis
One of Indian cinema's most inventive directors is gone — Singeetam Srinivasa Rao, the man behind the dialogueless 'Pushpaka Vimanam' and time-travel classic 'Aditya 369', passed away at 95. The tributes from Rajamouli, Jr NTR, and Kamal Haasan — who called him a model for how to 'die young' in spirit — reveal just how singular and irreplaceable his contribution to South Indian cinema was.
Key Takeaways
Legendary filmmaker Singeetam Srinivasa Rao passed away on 3 October 2026 at Kauvery Hospital ; he was 95 .
Rajamouli called him 'a visionary who thought ahead of his time,' citing Aditya 369 , Pushpaka Vimanam , and Mayuri .
Kamal Haasan , a close collaborator, wrote that he now aspires to 'live like he did,' describing Singeetam's death as 'glorious, not tragic.' Notable directorial works include Pushpaka Vimanam , Apoorva Sagodharargal , Michael Madana Kama Rajan , Kadhala Kadhala , and Aditya 369 .
His films spanned Telugu and Tamil cinema over several decades, widely credited with expanding the technical and narrative ambitions of South Indian filmmaking.
Legendary Telugu and Tamil filmmaker Singeetam Srinivasa Rao passed away on 3 October 2026 at Kauvery Hospital following health complications, according to family sources. He was 95. His death has drawn an outpouring of grief from across the Indian film industry, with acclaimed director S.S. Rajamouli, actor Jr NTR, and actor-filmmaker Kamal Haasan among those paying deeply personal tributes to his cinematic legacy.
Rajamouli and Jr NTR Remember a Visionary
Filmmaker S.S. Rajamouli described Singeetam as a director who was ahead of his time. Paying homage to the late filmmaker's enduring body of work, Rajamouli wrote: 'The news that Singeetam Srinivasa Rao garu is no more is deeply heartbreaking. Aditya 369, Pushpaka Vimanam, Mayuri… a visionary who thought ahead of his time, delivering films that feel fresh even across generations. My deepest condolences to his family members. Om Shanti.'
Actor Jr NTR echoed a similar sentiment, expressing grief over the demise and acknowledging the filmmaker's lasting contribution to Indian cinema. He posted a tribute reflecting the same sense of irreplaceable loss felt across the industry.
Kamal Haasan's Deeply Personal Tribute
Kamal Haasan, who shared a close professional and personal association with Singeetam over decades, penned one of the most reflective tributes. Recalling the filmmaker's inimitable spirit, Haasan wrote: 'Singeetham sir, by his own choice, passed away in his youth, along with his youth. His youthful spirit did not spread to many. Among the friends and disciples who walked alongside him, holding his hand, I am one of them.'
The Kalki 2898 AD actor further added: '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.' The tribute underlines the rare depth of influence Singeetam held over contemporaries and collaborators alike.
A Career Defined by Innovation and Range
Over a career spanning several decades, Singeetam Srinivasa Rao built a reputation for innovative storytelling and an uncompromising creative vision. His notable directorial works include 'Pushpaka Vimanam' — a near-silent film widely regarded as a landmark in Indian cinema — 'Aditya 369', 'Mayuri', 'Raja Paarvai', 'Little John', and celebrated Kamal Haasan vehicles such as 'Apoorva Sagodharargal', 'Michael Madana Kama Rajan', and 'Kadhala Kadhala'. His films crossed linguistic boundaries, resonating with audiences in both Telugu and Tamil cinema.
Notably, 'Pushpaka Vimanam' — made without a single line of dialogue — remains a subject of study in film schools and is frequently cited as one of the most technically audacious films produced in India. This comes amid a broader reckoning in the industry about the foundational figures who shaped modern Indian cinema.
Industry Mourns a Foundational Figure
The tributes from Rajamouli, Jr NTR, and Kamal Haasan collectively reflect the scale of Singeetam's influence across generations of filmmakers and actors. His death marks the passing of one of the last towering auteurs from an era when South Indian cinema was redefining its own language of storytelling. The film industry, fans, and cinephiles across India are expected to continue paying respects in the coming days.
Point of View
Jr NTR, and Kamal Haasan are not routine condolences — they are acknowledgements of a filmmaker who operated in a creative register that mainstream Indian cinema rarely reached. Singeetam's 'Pushpaka Vimanam' proved that a commercial Indian film could succeed without dialogue; 'Aditya 369' did time travel before the genre was fashionable in India. That his death prompts reflection rather than just remembrance says something important: the industry knows it cannot easily replace the kind of fearless formal experimentation he embodied. The real tribute would be for the next generation to take those risks seriously.
NationPress
4 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where did Singeetam Srinivasa Rao pass away?
Singeetam Srinivasa Rao passed away on 3 October 2026 at Kauvery Hospital following health complications, according to family sources. He was 95 years old.
What are Singeetam Srinivasa Rao's most celebrated films?
His most celebrated works include 'Pushpaka Vimanam' — a near-silent film considered a landmark in Indian cinema — 'Aditya 369', 'Mayuri', 'Apoorva Sagodharargal', 'Michael Madana Kama Rajan', 'Kadhala Kadhala', 'Raja Paarvai', and 'Little John'. He directed films in both Telugu and Tamil over a career spanning several decades.
What did SS Rajamouli say about Singeetam Srinivasa Rao?
Rajamouli described Singeetam as 'a visionary who thought ahead of his time, delivering films that feel fresh even across generations.' He cited 'Aditya 369', 'Pushpaka Vimanam', and 'Mayuri' as examples and extended condolences to the filmmaker's family.
What was Kamal Haasan's relationship with Singeetam Srinivasa Rao?
Kamal Haasan shared a close professional and personal association with Singeetam, having starred in several of his films including 'Apoorva Sagodharargal', 'Michael Madana Kama Rajan', and 'Kadhala Kadhala'. In his tribute, Haasan described himself as one of the 'friends and disciples who walked alongside him' and said he now aspires to live as Singeetam did.
Why is Pushpaka Vimanam considered a landmark film?
'Pushpaka Vimanam', directed by Singeetam Srinivasa Rao, is widely regarded as one of the most technically audacious films in Indian cinema because it was made almost entirely without dialogue. It is frequently cited in film studies and is credited with demonstrating that a commercially viable Indian film could transcend linguistic barriers through purely visual storytelling.
