45 release date: Shivarajkumar, Upendra and Raj B Shetty starrer still a long way off

Composer Arjun Janya’s debut directorial is currently in post-production, with the timeline for the VFX work the reason behind 45’s late 2025 release

Shivarajkumar in the 45 'arrival' video

Century Star Shivarajkumar had wrapped up the shoot of his upcoming film 45, which marks the directorial debut of composer Arjun Janya, before he headed to the US for surgery as part of his cancer treatment. The actor, who then saw through the release of his home production Bhairathi Ranagal, was expected to have 45 in theatres shortly after.

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But as per the Sankranti release date announcement, 45 is still a long way from its date with audiences. Arjun has revealed that the film, which also stars Upendra and Raj B Shetty, will be in theatres on August 15 only, which is a good 7 months away. The film is complete and in post-production, Arjun had explained, adding that the timelines required for the delivery of key VFX portions is why they chose August 15.

The VFX portions of 45 are being carried out by a Canada-based firm, Marz (Monsters Aliens Robots Zombies VFX), which is expected to handover the work by May, which gives Arjun a couple of months to ensure corrections, if any, can be carried out before the film release. "This is not routine computer graphics; there is a motion video in the film, like a cartoon, which is being made in 3D and required a year's time," said Arjun.

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The theatrical release date, meanwhile, was announced with an animated video of Shivarajkumar on a scooter, with hundreds of gun-bearing assailants firing away at him, as he blasts his way through with a multiple barrel machine gun attached to the vehicle. The announcement video was called out for the lack of logic, but Arjun, who has so far remained tight-lipped about the content of the film, has stated that when audiences see the three characters together on screen, it will become clear that nothing is impossible.

Speaking at the release date announcement event, Arjun admitted that when seen without context of the story, the ‘arrival’ video does lack logic. However, he said that no such questions will arise for the story.

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