The 2009-2010 Karnataka state award committee now headed by Dwarakish is watching the 50 plus films but a senior director of over 25 films S Mahender has abstained from attending the film screening.

In the absence of S Mahender to the committee the state government has not appointed an alternative. It is of course working with quorum.

S Mahender speaking to this correspondent over telephone stated that he had to keep away from the state award panel because of his preoccupation. I am busy in finalizing the script for a love story film that is launching on October 15. I am not in a position to spend over a month for the film viewing and discussion later on pointed S Mahender.

I have called up the assistant director of Karnataka state information department and explained my inability to be a part of the panel says S Mahender.

Meanwhile S Mahender is directing a film for Yogish Narayan, producer of ‘Modhala Sala’. Yogish Narayan and friends announced a few months back going to various nook and corner of Karnataka to get hold of good stories for their film. Finally they have landed up with the senior director S Mahender for a story.