Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Dec 26: Sometimes, profound philosophical journeys begin not with grand ideas, but with small mistakes. 45 opens on such an unsettling truth — a brief moment, a life brushed past, another altered forever — and expands it into a contemplative fantasy on karma, fear, devotion and the fragile space between life and death.
Marking the directorial debut of composer Arjun Janya, the multi-starrer film brings together Shivarajkumar, Upendra and Raj B Shetty in a visually ambitious narrative rooted in mythology, particularly the Garuda Purana. While 45 is unmistakably a fantasy, it remains deeply anchored in human emotions and moral consequence.
Raj B Shetty plays Vinay, a 29-year-old software engineer living a quiet life with his mother (Manasi Sudhir). His modest dreams of stability and marriage are shaken after a minor traffic accident involving a dog named Rosie. What appears ordinary soon becomes a gateway into a surreal countdown of forty-five days, blurring the boundaries between life, death and destiny.
Arjun Janya approaches the film’s mythology with restraint. Destiny is not presented as a dramatic twist, but as a system that unfolds gradually. Vinay’s soul is drawn into a purgatory-like space, guided by Rayappa (Upendra), eventually leading him before Yama. The fantasy world reveals its rules slowly, allowing viewers to observe rather than be overwhelmed.
One of the film’s most striking emotional moments comes through Rayappa’s devotion. His line, “That is not just a dog. That is my mother,” reframes loyalty and love in a way that lingers long after the scene ends.
The narrative gains a new rhythm in the second half with the entry of Shivappa (Shivarajkumar). His multiple avatars, punctuated by Shiva Tandava imagery, elevate the film’s scale and energy. The final forty-five minutes, in particular, are a visual treat for fans, with the screenplay expanding seamlessly to accommodate his presence.
Technically, 45 stands out. The VFX-heavy Garuda Purana sequences, high-intensity chases and Shivappa–Rayappa confrontations are executed with confidence, a commendable feat for a debut director. The fantasy elements never feel ornamental, remaining closely tied to the film’s philosophical core.
Performances are largely effective. Shivarajkumar delivers a restrained yet powerful act, with his Rudra avatar leaving a strong visual impact. Upendra brings complexity to Rayappa, portraying devotion tinged with violence rather than ambition. Raj B Shetty grounds the film emotionally, balancing innocence with existential weight.
Among the supporting cast, Kausthuba Mani, Jafer Sadiq and Manasi Sudhir offer solid support, while a few performances suffer from minor inconsistencies. The absence of songs does not affect the narrative, as Arjun Janya’s background score carries the film’s emotional and thematic pulse. Satya Hegde’s cinematography further enhances both the grand mythological sequences and intimate moments.
At its core, 45 reflects on five fundamental fears — career, friendship, love, family and death. While four can be confronted, the fifth remains inevitable. Through Vinay’s journey, the film meditates on how small actions ripple across unseen worlds, reminding viewers that karma is not distant, but immediate.
45 succeeds as both a commercial fantasy and a philosophical exploration. Drawing from his musical sensibility, Arjun Janya crafts a visually immersive and emotionally resonant experience. The film ultimately leaves audiences with a quiet yet powerful thought: life and death are not opposites, but separated by a small space — and that space is our life.