Overview
- Family members and multiple news outlets confirmed that Singeetham Srinivasa Rao died while receiving treatment for age‑related complications at Kauvery Hospital in Chennai, with reports stating he passed on Saturday, October 3, 2026.
- His grandson Ashwin announced a cremation at AVM Crematorium in Chennai, scheduled for the afternoon following the family confirmation.
- Singeetham built a six‑decade career working across Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi cinema and directed landmark, experimental films such as Pushpaka Vimanam and Aditya 369.
- His 1987 dialogue‑free black comedy Pushpaka Vimanam won a National Film Award and helped define his reputation for formal risk‑taking, while his June 2026 musical fantasy Sing Geetham showed he remained creatively active into his 90s.
- Leaders and peers from the film world and politics, including Kamal Haasan, S. S. Rajamouli, Jr NTR, Chiranjeevi and regional politicians, issued tributes that framed him as an influence on multiple generations and signaled renewed interest in his films and methods.