in 1995, he acted and directed the film "hendthi endare heegirabeku" alongside akshata which was moderately successful. his subsequent films such as "baduku jataka bandi" (1997), "hello yama" (1998), "chor guru chandal sishya" (1998), "rambhe urvashi menake" (1999) and "maava maava maduve mado" (2000) failed to impress the box office. his next directorial "meese hottha gandasige demandappo demandu" (1999) based on the popular song line of his previous hit "avale nanna hendthi" was a failure as well. in 2004, he starred in three films which included "aaha nanna thangi maduve" in his direction.