Shankar Singh was one of the founding fathers of the Kannada film industry. He started the Mahatma Pictures in 1947 and produced Krishna Leela. After that he produced and directred 25 films himself. Mahatma Pictures became an institution in itself. Some of the early films under this banner were, Bhakta Cheta, Nagakannika, Mahananda, Daivasankalpa, Bhatka Ramadasa and Jaganmohini. Shankar Singh's family members too became part of the Mahatma Pictures. In Bhakta Cheta, Rajkumar and Pratima Devi were paired.

Dharmastala Mahatma, Patala Mohini, Dallali, Sowbhagyalakshmi, Muttidella Chinna, Madidunno Maharaya, Ashadabhuti, Gandharvakanye, Onde Kula Onde Daiva, Bangarada Kalla, Mahadeshwara Poojapala, Bhari Bharjari Bete are some of the important films under this production house. Along with Mahatma Pictures, Singh also started Mohini Productions anbd made films like Black Market, Dhana Pishachi, Bhale Kiladi, Jwala Mohini and others. His son Rajendra Singh Babu started as a producer at a very young age with films like Onde Kula Onde Daiva and Lakshadishwara. In Mahatma Picture's Shivasharane Nambiyakka, Vishnuvardhan and Rajendra Singh Babu acted as child artistes.

Rajendra Singh Babu continued his father's work. He became an independent director with Naga Kanye. He went on to direct more than 25 films including Nagarahole, Kiladi Jodi, Antha, Simhada Mari Sainya, Ganduberunda, Bandana, Muttina Haara, Hoovu Hannu, Kurigalu Sir Kurigalu among others. His Bandana, Muttina Haara, Hoovu Hannu and Bhoomi Tayiya Chochala Maga went on to win state and national awards. The production house's 99th film Rebel 99 is ready for release and shortly, it will become the first production house in Kannada to make 100 films.