Director, writer, actor, and producer S. Mahendar is known for his work in Kannada cinema. Working in the industry for more than two decades, Mahendar made his directorial debut in 1992 with the movie Pranayada Pakshigalu. He has since then directed several movies such as Thayi Illada Thavaru (1995), Snehaloka (1999), Asura (2001), Ninagagi (2002), Gandana Mane (2007), and Mahakali (2015). He also directed and starred in the movie Gattimela in 2001.

In 2017, he directed the movie Once More Kaurava starring Anusha Rangnath and Naresh Gowda.