Actor and Makkal Needhi Maiam president Kamal Haasan has paid tribute to veteran filmmaker Singeetham Srinivasa Rao, recalling their long creative association and describing the director as an inspiration for his youthful spirit and approach to life.
Singeetham Srinivasa Rao died at a hospital in Chennai on Saturday. Remembering the filmmaker on social media, Kamal said he had admired him from the time he came to know him and considered himself among those who had learnt from his energy and outlook.
Kamal said the filmmaker’s attitude towards life was something he had hoped to absorb through their years of friendship and collaboration. He also reflected on Singeetham’s approach to ageing and said he now aspired to live with the same spirit.
The two filmmakers shared a long and distinctive creative partnership, beginning with the Telugu film Sommokadidhi Sokokadidhi in 1979. Their association later produced several acclaimed films, including Raja Paarvai (1981), Pesum Padam (1987), Apoorva Sagodharargal (1989), Michael Madhana Kama Rajan (1990), Kaathala Kaathala (1998) and Mumbai Xpress (2005).
Their collaborations covered varied genres and filmmaking styles, with Singeetham’s experimental approach complementing Kamal’s willingness to take creative risks.
Kamal’s tribute comes amid widespread condolences from the film fraternity following the death of the filmmaker, whose career spanned several decades and multiple Indian languages.