Singeetam Srinivasa Rao is an Indian film director, screenwriter, producer, composer, and actor. He is widely regarded as one of India's most versatile and innovative filmmakers. He has directed around sixty films across multiple genres and languages, including Telugu, Kannada, Tamil, Hindi, and English and is credited with revolutionizing South Indian cinema through his experimental approach. He has garnered numerous accolades throughout his career, including two National Film Awards, five Nandi Awards, three Karnataka State Film Awards, and three Filmfare Awards South. In 2011, he was honoured with the Life Achievement Award by the Film Federation of India.