Inside the mind of Singeetham Srinivasa Rao: a masterclass in storytelling
This article profiles 95-year-old Indian filmmaker Singeetham Srinivasa Rao, discussing his unique approach to storytelling and character identity. It highlights his creative process, influences like Mark Twain, and his early experiences learning filmmaking under mentor K.V. Reddy.
Why it matters
It provides historical insight into the evolution of Indian cinema through the perspective of one of its most influential and long-standing creative figures.
Kamal Haasan once told me that every storyteller has one story and they just find different ways to say it. “One man in another man’s shoes,” he winked, talking about his oldest living collaborator Singeetham Srinivasa Rao.
Seemed like the perfect icebreaker for an interview with the 95-year-old legendary storyteller.
For a lot of his films begin by disturbing someone’s identity or place in the world — Shekhar and Ranga in Sommokadidhi Sokokadidhi , Kamal in Pushpak , Apoorva Sagodharargal and Michael Madana Kama Rajan . Does putting a character in a situation where they don’t belong, inspire the story, I ask the legend over a Zoom call on a Wednesday morning.
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