Renowned Kannada music composer Arjun Janya is embarking on an exciting new chapter in his career, stepping into the director's chair for the first time with the upcoming film '45'. The movie, which boasts a powerhouse cast including Shivarajkumar, Upendra, and Raj B Shetty, is a deeply personal project drawn from the composer's own life experiences and his admiration for the lead actors.
A Story Forged from Personal Tragedy and Fandom
Arjun Janya reveals that the narrative of '45' is intimately connected to his personal journey. The film's story, set over a span of 45 days, carries profound emotional weight. He shared that during the COVID-19 pandemic, he suffered the devastating loss of his brother, and those raw emotions have found a poignant outlet in the film's plot. Alongside this personal grief, his long-standing fandom for the three legendary actors also served as a major creative inspiration for the project.
The Push from a Legend and a Meticulous Preparation
The journey to the director's seat was encouraged by none other than superstar Shivarajkumar. Janya initially approached Shiv anna with the story, envisioning another director to helm it. However, Shivarajkumar convinced him to take charge, stating that since the story was born from Janya's own experiences, he was the best person to direct it. Taking this advice to heart, Janya embraced the monumental task of writing, composing, and directing the film.
Admitting the process was physically exhausting, the debutant director left no stone unturned in his preparation. Aware of his lack of directorial experience and the pressure of working with icons, Janya adopted a unique strategy. He pre-visualized the entire film in animation before the actual shoot began. This meticulous planning ensured that every frame was clear in his mind, allowing him to be fully confident and prepared on set in front of the stellar cast.
Beyond Labels: A 'Different' Cinematic Experience
The casting of Shivarajkumar and Upendra together is a special moment for Kannada cinema fans, and Janya has tapped into that sense of nostalgia, weaving it subtly into the film's fabric. Despite the film's high-profile cast and potential for wide appeal, Arjun Janya is not consciously chasing the trendy 'pan-Indian' label. He clarifies that he simply set out to make a compelling film and prefers to let the audience define its reach and genre.
In fact, the composer-turned-director remains deliberately vague about categorizing the movie. He describes '45' simply as a 'different' film and encourages viewers to watch it and decide its genre for themselves. Produced by Ramesh Reddy, the much-anticipated film '45' is scheduled for a theatrical release on Thursday, January 1, marking a significant debut for Arjun Janya in the world of direction.
