Artist Kadambari Kiran Emotional Interview – Nene

Veteran filmmaker Singeetam Srinivasa Rao continues to inspire generations with his boundless creativity even at the age of 94. At the pre-release event of Sing Geetham, which is scheduled to hit theaters on June 11, legendary actor Kamal Haasan paid a heartfelt tribute to his longtime mentor and collaborator, recalling their remarkable four-decade journey together.

Speaking at the event, Kamal described Singeetam as someone who may be advanced in age but remains far ahead of the younger generation in terms of ideas and creativity. In one of the most touching moments of the evening, Kamal remarked that he still wishes to remain an assistant to Singeetam, a statement that reflected the immense respect and admiration he holds for the celebrated filmmaker.

Kamal revealed that he first met Singeetam when he was just 21 years old. During their early discussions, the duo developed two story ideas. One of them eventually became the iconic silent classic Pushpaka Vimana, while the other waited nearly four decades before finally taking shape as Sing Geetham. According to Kamal, truly great ideas are timeless and can resonate with audiences regardless of when they are brought to life.

The actor also shared several fascinating memories from their collaborations. Recalling the making of Pushpaka Vimana, he said the team proudly spoke about shooting the entire film in air-conditioned environments, which was considered a luxury at the time. In contrast, he humorously noted that while filming Kalki 2898 AD, the team often had to work in the intense heat of Hyderabad studios.

Kamal also opened up about the challenges faced during the making of Apoorva Sagodharargal (released in Telugu as Vichitra Sodarulu). He revealed that the first 20 days of footage were completely discarded and reshot from scratch. Looking back, he believes that bold decision ultimately saved the film and played a crucial role in its success.

Reflecting on the technical limitations of that era, Kamal explained how every completed shot had to be transported from the studio to the film laboratory to verify whether the visual masking effects had worked correctly. Since the process consumed nearly 45 minutes each time, the team eventually created a makeshift preview setup to speed up production. During the climax shoot, they even filmed scenes on the rooftop of the laboratory, reviewing footage downstairs before immediately moving on to the next shot.

Praising Singeetam’s enduring brilliance, Kamal said the filmmaker remains ahead of even today’s Gen Z generation in terms of creative thinking. He emphasized that age affects only the body, while the mind can remain forever young—a truth that Singeetam continues to prove through his work. Kamal also remarked that had he known about Sing Geetham a few months earlier, he would have happily joined the project in any capacity.

More than a promotional event, the Sing Geetham pre-release function became a celebration of one of Indian cinema’s most cherished mentor-disciple relationships. Kamal Haasan’s heartfelt speech highlighted the profound influence Singeetam Srinivasa Rao has had on his career and reaffirmed the legendary filmmaker’s lasting contribution to Indian cinema through classics such as Pushpaka Vimana and Apoorva Sagodharargal.