S. Mahendar

S. Mahendar is an Indian film director working in Kannada cinema. He is also a politician with the BJP contesting from Kollegal constituency in Karnataka. He debuted into cinema with Pranayada Pakshigalu and went to direct for over 30 films. He also acted in Gattimela (2001) in the lead role under his own direction. His well-known movies include Thayi Illada Thavaru (1995), Karpoorada Gombe (1996), Snehaloka (1999), Asura (2001), Vaalee (2001), Ninagagi (2002), Gowdru (2004) and Thandege Thakka Maga (2006).

Personal life Mahendar was married to actress Shruti who had been cast in many of his films. They have a daughter named Gowri. In 2009, Shruti applied for divorce citing understanding differences. He later married a Mysore-based Economics student, Yashoda, in 2012.

Filmography

As director

Year Title Starring Note 1992 Pranayada Pakshigalu Ramesh Aravind, Kavya, Anjali Sudhakar Debut film 1993 Shrungara Kavya Raghuveer, Sindhu 1995 Thayi Illada Thavaru Ramkumar, Shruti 1996 Hetthavaru Kalyan Kumar, Lakshmi 1996 Mouna Raaga Ambareesh, Srishanthi 1996 Karpoorada Gombe Ramesh Aravind, Shruti 1996 Sthree Sithara, Shruti 1997 Ganga Yamuna Shiva Rajkumar, Malashri Remake of Telugu film Subhalagnam 1997 Kodagina Kaveri Ramkumar, Shruti 1998 Megha Banthu Megha Ramesh Aravind, Shilpa 1998 Suvvi Suvvalali Ramesh Aravind, Shilpa Remake of Hindi film Baseraa 1998 Kowrava B. C. Patil, Prema Remake of Tamil film Kadalora Kavithaigal 1999 Chandrodaya Shiva Rajkumar, Ramesh Aravind, Prema Remake of Tamil film Mouna Ragam 1999 Premachari B. C. Patil, Shilpa 1999 Snehaloka Ramesh Aravind, Anu Prabhakar, Ramkumar Remake of Tamil film Kannethirey Thondrinal 2001 Gattimela Himself, Shruti also actor 2001 Asura Shiva Rajkumar, Damini Remake of Tamil film Amarkkalam 2001 Vaalee Sudeep, Poonam Remake of Tamil film VaaleeNominated - Filmfare Award for Best Director 2002 Ninagagi Vijay Raghavendra, Radhika Remake of Malayalam film Niram 2002 Balarama Rockline Venkatesh, Prema Remake of Telugu film Yerra Mandaram 2003 Kushalave Kshemave Ramesh Aravind, Darshan Remake of Tamil film Kaalamellam Kadhal Vaazhga 2003 Jogula B. C. Patil, Vijayalakshmi, Ruchita Prasad 2004 Sakhi Praveen Kumar, Poonam 2004 Gowdru Ambareesh, Shruti Remake of Tamil film Kizhakku CheemayileWon - Karnataka State Film Award for Third Best Film 2006 Thandege Thakka Maga Ambareesh, Upendra, Laila Mehdin Remake of Tamil film Thevar Magan 2007 Preethigaagi Srimurali, Sridevi Vijayakumar Remake of Malayalam film Aniyathipravu 2007 Gandana Mane Shiva Rajkumar, Gowri Munjal 2008 Akka Thangi Shruti, Rashmi 2011 Veerabahu Duniya Vijay, Nidhi Subbaiah 2015 Mahakali Malashri 2017 Once More Kaurava Naresh Gowda, Anusha 2022 Pampa Panchalli Parashivamurthy Sangeetha Sringeri

As singer