Vijay Deverakonda mourn veteran filmmaker Singeetham Srinivasa Rao

Picture Credit: X

Veteran filmmaker Singeetham Srinivasa Rao has passed away at the age of 94, leaving behind a remarkable body of work spanning multiple Indian film industries. Known for his inventive storytelling and willingness to experiment across genres, the filmmaker continued to pursue cinema even in his nineties.

Several celebrities have mourned his death, with Vijay Deverakonda remembering the filmmaker and his final directorial venture, 'Sing Geetham', in which the actor made a special cameo.

Vijay Deverakonda remembers Singeetham Srinivasa Rao

In a tribute shared on X (previously Twitter), Vijay Deverakonda recalled his association with the veteran filmmaker and remembered the affection Singeetham had shown him over the years.“Singeetham sir. Your beliefs, your thoughts and your stories will live on with us forever.

For everytime you called me since Pellichoopulu to shower love and effection, i hope it made you happy and brought a smile seeing me in one of your films - Sing Geetham. I feel happy to have been a part of one of your vision. My forever respect.”

Singeetham's final directorial venture was 'Sing Geetham', described as an experimental musical comedy. He directed the film at the age of 94, with the project backed by 'Kalki 2898 AD' director Nag Ashwin.

Ayaan Khan, Ahilya Bamroo and Shalini Kondepudi featured in the lead roles, while Vijay made a special appearance. The filmmaker's career spanned Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi cinema, with his work often marked by experimentation and an unconventional approach to storytelling.

Chiranjeevi mourns the filmmaker’s demise

Chiranjeevi also paid tribute to Singeetham Srinivasa Rao, remembering him as a visionary filmmaker whose willingness to explore unfamiliar ideas left a lasting impression on Indian cinema.“Deeply saddened by the passing of the legendary filmmaker ‘Singeetam Srinivasa Rao’ garu. A true visionary, his imagination and courage to explore new ideas gave Indian cinema some of its most unforgettable films. His contribution to cinema will always be remembered with immense respect and affection.”

Chiranjeevi also highlighted the filmmaker's enduring passion for cinema, pointing to Sing Geetham as an example of his continued creative spirit.“His recent film ‘Sing Geetham’ was a beautiful testament to his undying passion for storytelling. At heart, he remained forever young, curious and eager to create. My heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. We will miss you, Singeetam garu. Your films will continue to speak to generations. Om Shanti.”

Singeetham Srinivasa Rao’s legacy in Indian cinema

Singeetham Srinivasa Rao built a diverse filmography across languages and genres during his decades-long career. Among his best-known works are the silent black comedy 'Pushpaka Vimana' (1987), the time-travel adventure 'Aditya 369' (1991) and the dance drama 'Mayuri' (1985). He also had a notable creative partnership with Kamal Haasan, collaborating with the actor on films including 'Apoorva Sagodharargal' (1989) and 'Michael Madana Kama Rajan' (1990).

His work was distinguished by an openness to unusual concepts, experimental narratives and different cinematic forms.