The eminent director of Kannada cinema former husband of actress Shruthi - S Mahender opted out of the Karnataka State Film Awards panel.

I am busy in my film work. The love story has been approved and I have to arrive at so many things for the film. In the busy schedule of my work I may not do justice as a member of Karnataka state film award panel. I called up the Assistant director of the information department of Karnataka government and told my situation. S Mahender last film direction for 'Veerabahu' staring action hero Vijay and Nidhi Subbaiah for producer Sandesh Nagaraj was a debacle.

For 'Modhala Sala' Kannada film producer Yogish Narayan, director S Mahender is directing a film. Yogish Narayan and his friends moved to various place in Karnataka for new story hunt and finally landed at the old horse S Mahender for story and direction.

The state award panel for 2009-2010 headed by Dwarakish is now watching 54 films in the contest.