Ahead of the highly anticipated release of his multistarrer film '45', veteran Kannada actor Shivarajkumar has opened up in an exclusive interview about the unique experience of working on the project. He shared insights into collaborating with debut director Arjun Janya, sharing screen space with co-stars Upendra and Raj B Shetty, and the profound emotional balance of the narrative that deeply resonated with him.
The Cathartic Experience of '45'
For Shivarajkumar, '45' represents a cathartic journey, akin to an ocean of reality both emotionally and cinematically. He revealed that the film delves into themes of passion, responsibility, and the social truths of contemporary life. The actor was immediately captivated when director Arjun Janya narrated the subject, performing every character with such conviction that within just four to five minutes, Shivarajkumar knew the project was something extraordinary.
What ultimately convinced him to come on board was a combination of the powerful storytelling and the opportunity to work alongside talents like Upendra and Raj B Shetty. He emphasized that in this film, screen time was not dictated by popularity or star power but was purely allocated based on the demands of the story itself.
A Story of Interconnected Lives and Grey Morality
The narrative of '45' revolves around three strong and interconnected lives. Shivarajkumar explained that the film explores how these lives intersect, carry significant emotional weight, and take unexpected turns. Each character grapples with regret, frustration, and their own version of the truth.
"No one is entirely a hero or a villain, and that's what makes it real," he stated. While being a commercial cinema offering, the film stands out due to its unpredictable nature. The story creatively plays with the space between life and death, a concept Shivarajkumar finds deeply engaging rather than difficult. He described it as a film that draws the audience in completely, making them feel part of the journey, gently reminding viewers that "life is a gift and death is a secret."
For his role, the actor did not require specific external research, as the character was already meticulously designed by director Arjun Janya. His focus was on preserving the intended body language and ensuring the character's impact, which he describes as more about influence than raw power.
Collaboration, Philosophy, and Staying Grounded
Shivarajkumar strongly believes that acting is a supremely collaborative effort. He likened the process to starting as a blank page, which is then filled by contributions from the writer, director, makeup artists, costume designers, and lighting technicians—much like how parents and mentors shape an individual in real life.
The conversation moved beyond cinema, touching upon the actor's personal philosophy. He reflected on the importance of humility and staying human, principles instilled in him from childhood by his father. "Never forget who you are," was the advice he has always lived by. He spoke poignantly about the inevitability of loss, referencing the passing of his younger brother Puneet Rajkumar, and emphasized the importance of showing love to people while they are alive—a sentiment echoed in a powerful line from '45'.
On his future projects, Shivarajkumar expressed excitement about a Telugu biopic on Bommidi Narasimha Reddy, where he is adapting to the real-life figure, and other ventures like 'Peddi' with Ram Charan and a multilingual film titled 'Dad'. He concluded by stating that he listens to many story narrations to encourage new talent, firmly believing that one should never underestimate anyone, as today's newcomer could be tomorrow's legend.
