45, an action-packed commercial entertainer, marks the directorial debut of music director Arjun Janya. Produced by Ramesh Reddy under the Suraj Productions banner, the film has Satya Hegde as the cinematographer and Ravi Varma handling the stunts.
During a media interaction, the producer, who celebrated and felicitated the three lead actors—Shivarajkumar, Upendra, and Raj B Shetty—expressed his excitement about bringing together such a big cast for this multi-starrer film. He also shared that the film is moving into post-production, starting with the CG work.
After filming the final scene on Saturday, the three actors interacted with the media to discuss their experiences and the strong bonds they formed on set.
Shivarajkumar: It never felt like It Was Arjun Janya's first time as a director
Shivarajkumar has high hopes for 45, and says director Arjun Janya was initially hesitant about directing his own story. When Arjun suggested giving the story to someone else, Shivanna encouraged him to take the reins. "I was completely blown away by the story, and when I pushed him to direct it, everything started falling into place,” he shared.
Shivanna described the filmmaking journey as heavenly, praising Arjun’s preparation and dedication. “It never felt like it was his first time as a director,” he added, highlighting the hard work of cinematographer Satya Hedge and stunt director K Ravi Varma.
Featuring Shivarajkumar, Upendra, and Raj B Shetty, 45 is set to be one of India’s top action films. Shivarajkumar confidently stated, “Everyone will notice the impressive work that has gone into 45.”
Upendra Praises Shivanna as the 'Simplest Star'
Actor-director Upendra, who has maintained a strong bond with Shivarajkumar since they collaborated on the film Om, holds high praise for the superstar, calling him the 'simplest' star with wonderful positive energy. “Shivanna is one of the simplest stars I've met. His presence makes everyone feel comfortable and happy,” Upendra shared.
Working together on the multi-starrer 45, alongside Shivarajkumar and Raj B Shetty, Upendra also admired director Arjun Janya for his impressive planning and execution. The film was completed in just 106 days, showcasing a Hollywood-style approach to filmmaking.
Expressing admiration for Arjun Janya’s meticulous planning, Upendra stated, “I’ve always heard about Hollywood’s detailed preparation, but seeing it in 45 was a revelation. Arjun's confidence has inspired me, and from now on, we will compete as directors.”
Raj B Shetty: I grew up watching Shivanna and Upendra’s films as a fan
Raj B Shetty expresses his gratitude for the opportunity to work alongside his idols, Dr. Shivarajkumar and Upendra, in Arjun Janya's 45. During a media interaction discussing his experience, he described it as a valuable learning journey, akin to attending university.
“I grew up watching Shivanna and Upendra’s films as a fan. I would enjoy their performances and even whistle while watching,” Raj shared. He fondly recalls being enchanted by Upendra’s directorial posters, saying, “I would look at them and wonder about the creativity behind it.”
Although he never imagined becoming an actor, Raj feels incredibly fortunate to share the screen with these legends. “I can confidently say that 45 will be a proud Kannada film. Working on it felt like I was living a dream,” he noted. He added, “The only sad part is that the shooting has wrapped up.”
Raj praised director Arjun Janya’s vision, explaining the difference between dreaming of making a movie and actually realizing that dream. “Watching Shivanna, Upendra, and Arjun at work during breaks was truly inspiring,” he said.
