The Indian film fraternity is mourning the loss of legendary director Singeetham Srinivasa Rao, who passed away on Saturday at the age of 94. A visionary who redefined storytelling, Rao left an indelible mark on cinema with a career spanning over six decades. Known for his fearless approach and boundless imagination, he worked across various languages and genres, ranging from comedy and drama to groundbreaking science fiction and fantasy.
Kantara star and director Rishab Shetty took to Instagram to express his grief, describing the veteran’s passing as a massive void for Indian cinema. In a heartfelt tribute, Shetty credited Rao as one of his greatest inspirations, highlighting how the filmmaker’s simplicity and unique narrative style shaped his own perspective as a director. He thanked the late maestro for the cinematic magic he brought to the screen over the years.
Renowned filmmaker SS Rajamouli also shared a poignant note on X, reflecting on how Rao dared to dream big long before modern technology and massive budgets were available to Indian directors. He pointed to iconic works like the silent masterpiece Pushpaka Vimana and the time-travel classic Aditya 369 as proof of Rao’s genius. Rajamouli acknowledged that every filmmaker who experiments in Telugu cinema today owes a debt to Rao’s pioneering spirit.
Rao’s journey in the industry began alongside veteran KV Reddy, notably working on the 1957 classic Mayabazar. Over his prolific career, he directed more than 60 films, including the critically acclaimed Mayuri, which was based on the life of Sudha Chandran. His legendary collaborations with Kamal Haasan, such as Apoorva Sagodharargal and Michael Madana Kama Rajan, further cemented his status as a master of the craft who could seamlessly bridge the gap between complex genres.