Singeetham Srinivasa Rao built a filmography that rarely stayed within one genre or language. From comedy and fantasy to science fiction and experimental cinema, the filmmaker repeatedly tried ideas that were ahead of their time. His work across Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Hindi, and English cinema has influenced several generations of filmmakers. In order to view some of his most memorable movies, these will provide a good start.
‘Aditya 369’ (1991)
‘Aditya 369’ is a landmark Indian science-fiction film and one of Singeetham Srinivasa Rao’s most ambitious movies. Starring Nandamuri Balakrishna, the film uses a time machine to move between different periods, including the Vijayanagara Empire and a dystopian future. The mix of history, science fiction, adventure and humour makes it an easy starting point for anyone discovering Singeetham Srinivasa Rao’s work.Where to watch: YouTube and Airtel Xstream.
‘Michael Madana Kama Rajan ‘ (1990)
If comedy is your entry point, ‘Michael Madana Kama Rajan’ is hard to miss. The Kamal Haasan starrer features him in four roles: Michael, Madanagopal, Kameshwaran, and Subramaniam Raju. Singeetham Srinivasa Rao packs the film with mistaken identities, eccentric characters, and sharp comic situations. The result is one of Tamil cinema’s most celebrated comedy entertainers.Where to watch: Aha and Airtel Xstream.
‘Apoorva Sagodharargal ‘ / Vichitra Sodarulu’ (1989)
Kamal Haasan once again teamed up with Singeetham Srinivasa Rao for this emotional revenge drama, playing three characters. His portrayal of Appu, a man with dwarfism, became one of the defining performances of his career. The film manages to combine action, humour and emotion without losing sight of its unusual central idea.Where to watch: YouTube.
‘Little John’ (2001)
Singeetham Srinivasa Rao also took his experimental style into fantasy with ‘Little John.’ Starring Jyotika and Bentley Mitchum, the film follows an American man trying to win over his Indian girlfriend’s family. His attempt leads to an unusual twist when he is magically reduced in size. The cross-cultural romantic comedy blends folklore, fantasy, and humour in a way that reflects the director’s willingness to explore unusual ideas.Where to watch: YouTube.
‘Sing Geetham’ (2026)
‘Sing Geetham’ is an interesting chapter in the long creative journey of the filmmaker. Produced with Nag Ashwin’s involvement, the musical fantasy is about a secluded village, hidden gold, a sacred tree, and a musical curse. The film demonstrates the director’s continuing interest in non-traditional storytelling and his willingness to experiment even after decades in the cinema.Where to watch: Netflix.
Why Singeetham Srinivasa Rao’s films still matter
Singeetham Srinivasa Rao’s cinema stands out because he never treated experimentation and entertainment as opposites. He kept exploring new territory, be it time travel in ‘Aditya 369’, a comedy with four roles in ‘Michael Madana Kama Rajan’ or mixing fantasy with romance in ‘Little John’. His influence is also evident in films directed by directors who are much younger than he is, like Nag Ashwin and Prasanth Varma, making his filmography worthy of viewing again, both for old fans and new ones.
