Chennai: The last rites of veteran filmmaker Singeetam Srinivasa Rao, one of Indian cinema’s most distinctive directors, were performed on Sunday evening at Nesapakkam crematorium in Chennai, amid an emotional gathering of family members, relatives and film personalities. His passing marks the end of a remarkable chapter in Indian cinema spanning several decades.
Singeetam Srinivasa Rao (94), who had been battling age-related health issues, died on Saturday evening at Kauvery Hospital in Chennai, where he had been undergoing treatment. His body was subsequently taken to his residence in Virugambakkam, Chennai, where several film personalities and fans gathered through Sunday morning to pay their respects.
Actor Kamal Haasan, who worked with Rao on several landmark films, visited the residence and was visibly emotional, consoling family members and conveying his deep condolences.
Rao’s death has left the Indian film industry in deep shock, with tributes pouring in on social media from prominent figures including director S.S. Rajamouli, megastar Chiranjeevi, Nandamuri Balakrishna, Jr NTR and Mahesh Babu, among several other actors and technicians. Many credited Rao with pioneering experimentation and new creative approaches in Indian cinema, describing his loss as irreplaceable.