Singeetham Srinivasa Rao, the Telugu cinema visionary whose films pushed boundaries of storytelling and technology, has passed away at 95. The news emerged Sunday morning from Chennai’s Kaveri Hospital, where he died after a prolonged illness. His final film, Sing Geetham, released earlier this year, was directed when he was 94 — a quiet yet powerful statement on his enduring passion for cinema. Tributes have flooded in from across the industry, led by Chiranjeevi, Pawan Kalyan, Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister N Balakrishna, and Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy. Chiranjeevi described Rao as a true visionary whose imagination and courage to explore new ideas gave Indian cinema some of its most unforgettable moments. He remembered Rao’s recent work with deep affection, calling Sing Geetham a beautiful testament to a life still deeply invested in storytelling. 'At heart, he remained forever young, curious and eager to create,' Chiranjeevi wrote, adding that his films would continue to speak to generations. Pawan Kalyan highlighted Rao’s creativity and experimental spirit, citing classics like Mayuri, Aditya 369, Vichitra Sodarulu, Pushpaka Vimanam, and Michael Madana Kamaraju. He also noted the lasting popularity of songs such as 'America Ammayi' and 'Pantulamma' from Rao’s films. For Balakrishna, the loss is personal. He recalled working with Rao on three landmark films, Aditya 369, Bhairava Dweepam, and Sri Krishnarjuna Vijayam. Each representing a different genre: social, folklore, and mythological. These, he said, were not just films but milestones, achieved under one director’s vision. He emphasized that Rao had worked as an associate on many of his father N T Rama Rao’s films, creating a bond that extended beyond the studio. 'Singeetam garu was truly a legendary director in every sense of the word,' Balakrishna said, praising his ability to pursue unforgettable cinematic experiments until his last breath. Revanth Reddy echoed the sentiment, calling Rao’s contributions to cinema 'unforgettable' and expressing condolences to the family. The legacy of Singeetham Srinivasa Rao isn’t measured in box office numbers alone. It lives in the way he made audiences believe in time travel, digital effects, and mythic grandeur long before they became common. His career spanned decades, but his final act, making a film at 94. Was perhaps the most telling. Now, the question remains: who will carry forward that same restless curiosity?