Singeetam Srinivasa Rao (born 21 September 1931)[1] is an Indian film director, screenwriter, producer, composer, and actor.

[2][3] He has directed around sixty films across multiple genres and languages, including Telugu, Kannada, Tamil, Hindi, and English and is credited with revolutionizing South Indian cinema through his experimental approach.

Srinivasa Rao began his career as an assistant to the esteemed director K. V. Reddy, working on iconic films such as Mayabazar (1957) and Jagadeka Veeruni Katha (1961).

He went on to direct notable films like 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).

Aditya 369 and Bhairava Dweepam are considered landmark films in the science fiction and fantasy genres, respectively, within Telugu cinema.

Srinivasa Rao is also known for his collaborations with actors Rajkumar and Kamal Haasan, which resulted in several commercially successful and critically acclaimed films.

With Kamal Haasan, he worked on films such as Sommokadidhi Sokokadidihi (1979), Raja Paarvai / Amavasya Chandrudu (1981), Pushpaka Vimana (1987), Apoorva Sagodharargal (1989) and Michael Madana Kama Rajan (1990).

His collaboration with Rajkumar produced films like Haalu Jenu (1982), Chalisuva Modagalu (1982), Eradu Nakshatragalu (1983), and Bhagyada Lakshmi Baramma (1986).

Singeetam Srinivasa Rao was born on 21 September 1931 in a Telugu family in Gudur of then Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh.

Aditya 369 and Bhairava Dweepam are considered classic films in science fiction and fantasy genres respectively in Telugu cinema.

He went on to direct six more Kannada blockbusters with Rajkumar - Chalisuva Modagalu (1982), Eradu Nakshatragalu (1983), Shravana Banthu (1984), Jwaalamukhi (1985), Bhagyada Lakshmi Baramma (1986) and Devatha Manushya (1988).

He co-wrote the screenplay for two Kannada movies produced by Rajkumar's banner that were not directed by him - Shruthi Seridaaga (1987) and Samyuktha (1988).

[18] In 1988, when Rajkumar announced his desire to temporarily retire from acting, Singeetam decided to concentrate on Tamil movies where he mostly had Kamal Haasan in the lead roles.

He edited many magazines in Telugu such as Bharati, and scripted plays like Brahma, Antya Ghattam, and Chitrārjuna.

The 1990 action comedy, Michael Madana Kama Rajan - a movie about quadruplets[29] - became an instant hit at the box office.

[38] Srinivasa Rao is particularly noted for his collaboration with two actors - Dr. Rajkumar and Kamal Haasan - which resulted in commercially successful and critically acclaimed movies.

[41] Notable among them are Haalu Jenu (1982),[42] Chalisuva Modagalu (1982), Bhagyada Lakshmi Baramma (1986),[43] and Rajkumar's 200th film Devatha Manushya (1988).

[46] Most of his Kannada films were produced by Parvathamma Rajkumar whose ability to judge what would work with the audience and whose story-picking knack he believed in.

[49][50] Aditya 369 and Bhairava Dweepam are considered landmark films in science fiction and fantasy genres respectively in Telugu cinema.

Notable for his contributions to the science fiction and fantasy genres, Aditya 369 and Bhairava Dweepam are celebrated as landmark films within Telugu cinema.

[11][12][13][14] Prasanth Varma has cited Singeetam as his primary inspiration, particularly admiring his ability to create a diverse body of work without repeating himself.

[55] Similarly, Nag Ashwin has expressed admiration for Bhairava Dweepam and Aditya 369, considering them among his favourite films.

[59] Srinivasa Rao was also the Guest of honor alongside Barrie Osbourne at the Media and Entertainment Business Conclave 2012 hosted by FICCI and FFI.