A P Arjun: Nothing can dim the light of Martin

Martin, which started as a promising collaboration between Dhruva Sarja and AP Arjun, has encountered significant hurdles over the past three years. While the journey has been tumultuous, Director AP Arjun remains resolute. He asserts, “Nothing can dim the light of Martin. Irrespective of the shadows cast upon me, cinema and my vision as a director will never falter.”

With the film set to release in over 3,000 theatres worldwide, across multiple languages on October 11, Arjun remains undeterred by setbacks and is firm in his fight to uphold his brand as a director. “Despite a few hiccups, I ensured a quality product. The audience will see my dedication on screen,” he insists, adding, “This is my sixth film, and when it hits theatres, it will showcase the essence of AP Arjun—screenplay, dialogues, lyrics, and direction. My brand name is my identity.”

Creative differences are not uncommon in filmmaking, and while Arjun acknowledges that every film faces challenges, he shares that Martin encountered particularly unfortunate issues, which came out in public. “I’ve fought for my credit, and the court ruling on my inclusion in promotions was a step toward justice. Identity and existence are every person’s fundamental rights; I’m merely defending my brand.”

Reflecting on the evolution of Martin, he explains, from when he was brought into the picture. “It began in 2021, but the timeline stretched due to various factors, including Dhruva’s commitments to another project. I even paused my other film, Addhuri Lover, after completing fifteen days of shooting and spending 45 lakhs, all because I wanted to dedicate my time to Martin.” He adds candidly, “Cinema cannot be the product of one person; it’s a collective effort. We must respect each role in this creative process.”

Arjun acknowledges the challenges of Martin’s lengthy production: “The journey has been lengthy; what was supposed to take a year turned into three. Dhruva Sarja faced the added complexity of undergoing drastic physical transformations for both KD and Martin while juggling his time between the two projects.”

As the film gears up for its release, Arjun expresses his optimism about the film and its potential to highlight Dhruva Sarja’s reputation as the ‘Action Prince’. He explains, “While my work is known in Karnataka, audiences for Pan-Indian films are eager for fresh experiences. Bringing the visionary elements of Martin to life was a significant undertaking. This film truly justifies Dhruva Sarja’s Action Prince persona.”

When asked about the future of his partnership with Dhruva, he responds, “Times will tell if we’ll collaborate again. If everything aligns, we can create magic together again.” He states with a valuable lesson: “Establishing a proper timeline is crucial before embarking on any project. This experience has taught us all the importance of planning in filmmaking.”

AP Arjun stands strong. The journey may have been long and winding, but as Arjun states, “Without a director, there is no cinema. And with Martin, we’re ready to show the world what we’ve created.”