45 (2025 film)

45
Theatrical release poster
Directed byArjun Janya
Written byArjun Janya
Anil Kumar (dialogues)
Produced byRamesh Reddy
Starring
CinematographySatya Hegde
Edited byK. M. Prakash
Music byArjun Janya
Production
company
Suraj Productions
Release date
  • 25 December 2025 (2025-12-25)
Running time
144 minutes[1]
CountryIndia
LanguageKannada

45 is a 2025 Indian Kannada-language fantasy action film marking the directorial debut of music composer Arjun Janya.[2][3] Produced by Ramesh Reddy under the Suraj Productions banner, the film features an ensemble cast including Shiva Rajkumar, Upendra, Raj B. Shetty, Kaustubha Mani, and Jisshu Sengupta.[4] Besides direction and music, Janya has co-written the film alongside Anil Kumar (dialogues). Cinematography is handled by Satya Hegde, with editing by K. M. Prakash.[5]

Filming took place over approximately 80 days, primarily in Bengaluru and Mysore. The production is noted for its extensive use of visual effects with CGI works done by Canada based MARZ Studio.[6] The official trailer premiered on 16 December 2025 during a high‑profile launch at Kempegowda Ground in Bengaluru.[7]

Scheduled for a nationwide theatrical release on 25 December 2025, 45 will be available in Kannada, alongside dubbed versions in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, and Malayalam.[8][9]

Cast

Production

Development

In July 2022, the film was announced, marking Arjun Janya's directorial debut following a successful career as a music composer. The project was conceived as an entertainer with philosophical themes and significant use of visual effects.[10]

Filming

Over 80 days, principal photography took place in Bangalore and Mysuru. The film's cinematography was handled by Satya Hegde, editing by K. M. Prakash, art direction by Mohan Pandith,[11] stunt were coordinated by Dr. K. Ravivarma, Jolly Bastian, Different Danny, and Chethan D’Souza; while dance sequences were choreographed by Chinni Prakash and B. Dhananjay.[12]

Over 40% of the film features visual effects, handled by Monsters Aliens Robots Zombies (MARZ) Studio, a Canadian company known for Hollywood-grade VFX. This marks MARZ’s first collaboration with a Kannada film.[13][14]

Marketing

In January 2025, the first motion poster was unveiled, followed by teasers featuring Shiva Rajkumar in an intense avatar.[15][16] Promotional material highlighted the film’s scale, VFX quality, and ensemble cast. The makers have positioned 45 for a nationwide release in Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, and Hindi, with Mythri Movie Makers reportedly interested in distribution.[17][18]

Music

Arjun Janya has composed the soundtrack and background score for the film. The soundtrack consists of three songs and three instrumental theme music.

Kannada track listing
No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Afro Tapaang"MC BijjuMC Bijju, Nishan Rai3:21
2."Shivam Shivam Sanaatanam"V. Nagendra PrasadVijay Prakash4:08
3."45 The Arrival"Rahul Dit-ORahul Dit-O, Roousic, Nishan Rai2:39

Release

Earlier in 15 August 2025, the film was scheduled for release, but it got postponed owing to unfinished production work.[19]

The satellite and digital streaming rights for the movie were acquired by Zee Network.[20][21]

Marketing

The official trailer premiered on 16 December 2025 during a high‑profile launch at Kempegowda Ground in Bengaluru, with simultaneous teaser events in Hubballi, Mysuru, Tumakuru, and Udupi. It garnered attention particularly for featuring Shiva Rajkumar in a woman’s avatar, praised by Upendra and Raj B. Shetty for its graphic quality.[22][23]

Reception

Sanjay Ponnappa of India Today gave 3/5 stars and wrote "45 is a concept-driven multi-starrer that warrants a theatrical watch – for its ambition, its ideas, and for the coming together of Shiva Rajkumar, Upendra, and Raj B Shetty."[24] Prathibha Joy of OTT Play gave 2.5/5 stars and wrote "A film – good or bad – has to evoke some emotion. Despite a lighter vein treatment to a heavy subject, there was a numbness that enveloped, a feeling that, in today’s jargon, is best described as ‘meh’. It’s not a rousing spectacle, neither is it underwhelming, but it’s also not one of those that leaves one wanting for more. That said, if the subject of 45 is a topic of interest, it would make for an interesting one-time watch. For me, this one didn’t quite cut it."[25] Pranati S of Deccan Herald wrote "‘45’ is billed as a visually rich film with VFX ‘amplified by an Oscar-winning team from Hollywood’. Unfortunately, the visual effects are underwhelming, and, in several places, outright shabby. The background score is excessively loud for most of the runtime, and the songs are just passable."[26] Vivek MV of The Hindu wrote "While Arjun Janya’s ‘45’ dives into themes about life and death through a modern lens, it gets lost in its own complexity, leaving its lead actors Shivarajkumar, Upendra and Raj B Shetty to save the ambitious movie."[27] A Shraddha of The New Indian Express wrote "45 is clearly a fantasy, and yet, it examines human mortality and the soul's journey."[28]

References

  1. ^ "45 (15)". British Board of Film Classification. 22 December 2025. Retrieved 22 December 2025.
  2. ^
  3. ^ "ಫಿಲಾಸಫಿಕಲ್ ಎಂಟರ್‌ಟೇನರ್ '45' ಸಿನಿಮಾ; ಶಿವಣ್ಣ, ಉಪ್ಪಿ, ರಾಜ್ ಬಿ ಶೆಟ್ಟಿಗೆ ಅರ್ಜುನ್ ಜನ್ಯ ಡೈರೆಕ್ಷನ್". Vijay Karnataka (in Kannada). Archived from the original on 15 July 2024. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  4. ^ Sharadhaa, A. (11 July 2022). "Shivarajkumar and Arjun Janya's film titled '45', says source". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 15 July 2024. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  5. ^ "Arjun Janya's directorial debut '45', starring Shivarajkumar, Upendra, and Raj B Shetty, goes on floors". The Hindu. 27 April 2023. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 23 December 2025.
  6. ^ "Arjun Janya's '45' partners with MARZ for CG work". The New Indian Express. 7 December 2024.
  7. ^ "45 trailer reveals a moral world where every action is counted". Cinema Express. 16 December 2025.
  8. ^ *"சிவராஜ்குமார், உபேந்திரா நடித்த '45' படத்தின் ரிலீஸ் தேதி அறிவிப்பு". Dina Thanthi (in Tamil). 23 August 2025.*ಡೆಸ್ಕ್‌, ಪ್ರಜಾವಾಣಿ ವೆಬ್‌. "ಕೆನಡಾದಲ್ಲಿ '45' ಟಿಕೆಟ್‌ ಸೋಲ್ಡ್ ಔಟ್: ಎರಡು ದಿನಗಳ ಮೊದಲೇ ಚಿತ್ರ ಬಿಡುಗಡೆ". Prajavani (in Kannada). Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  9. ^ "Pan-India film 45 set for grand Christmas release". The New Indian Express. 23 August 2025. Retrieved 23 December 2025.
  10. ^ "Fear, Devotion in 45 Felt Like Debut Film: Shiva Rajkumar". www.deccanchronicle.com. 16 December 2025. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  11. ^ Sharadhaa, A. (28 April 2023). "45 will be a thought-provoking entertainer: Shivarajkumar". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 15 July 2024. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  12. ^ Sistu, Suhas (16 December 2025). "Karunada Chakravarthy Shiva Rajkumar, Real Star Upendra, Versatile Star Raj B Shetty's '45: The Movie' Crazy Trailer Unveiled". www.thehansindia.com. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  13. ^ Sharadhaa, A. (21 August 2025). "Pan-India film 45 set for grand Christmas release". Cinema Express. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  14. ^ "VFX delay for 45". Bangalore Mirror. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  15. ^ "Kannada actors Shiva Rajkumar, Upendra, Raj B Shetty's 45 to release in August". India Today. Retrieved 15 January 2025.
  16. ^ "Kannada Film '45': Trailer Launched with Shivarajkumar". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  17. ^ "Arjun Janya's '45 The Movie,' Starring Shivarajkumar, Upendra And Raj B. Shetty, Set To Release This Independence Day". TimesNow News. 14 January 2025. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
  18. ^ "2026-ன் முதல் பிளாக்பஸ்டர் ரெடி! '45' படத்தின் ரிலீஸ் தேதி வெளியீடு". Zee Hindustan Tamil (in Tamil). 18 December 2025. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  19. ^ Bharath Anjanappa (20 August 2025). "VFX Delays Release of Pan-India Kannada Film "45"". The Hans India. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
  20. ^ Sharadhaa, A. (16 December 2025). "45 locks satellite and digital rights in record-breaking deal". Cinema Express. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  21. ^ "45 OTT release: Where to watch Shivarajkumar, Upendra and Raj B Shetty's Kannada upcoming movie after its theatrical run?". The Economic Times. 14 December 2025. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  22. ^ "45 Movie Trailer Release: ಚೆಲುವೆಯ ನೋಟ ಚೆನ್ನ..ಸಿನಿಮಾ ನೋಡಲೇಬೇಕು ಎಂದು ಸೈಕ್‌ ಮಾಡಿದ ಕಾರಣಗಳಿವು!". Asianet Suvarna News (in Kannada). Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  23. ^ "'45' Trailer: Shiva Rajkumar, Upendra, and Raj B Shetty In A Moralistic Action Drama". The Hollywood Reporter India. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
  24. ^ Ponnappa, Sanjay (24 December 2025). "45 review: An entertaining blend between metaphysical and physical worlds". India Today. Retrieved 24 December 2025.
  25. ^ "45 movie review: Shivarajkumar, Upendra, Raj B Shetty make merry in preachy tale". OTTPlay. Retrieved 24 December 2025.
  26. ^ "'45' Movie Review: Big Stars, Weak Storytelling". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 24 December 2025.
  27. ^ M.V, Vivek (25 December 2025). "'45' movie review: Star power salvages Arjun Janya's uneven magnum opus". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 25 December 2025.
  28. ^ Sharadhaa, A. (25 December 2025). "45 Movie Review: An intense meditation on karma, devotion, and life's fragility". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 25 December 2025.
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