Trailer of Kannada Film 45 Signals a Bold Visual Leap for Sandalwood

Bangalore Mail Entertainment Bureau

Bangalore | 17 December

The trailer launch of Kannada film 45 was more than a routine promotional event—it felt like a statement of intent from Sandalwood. Unveiled at a grand function at Kempegowda Ground near Poornaprajna Vidyapeetha in Bengaluru, the launch underscored the industry’s growing confidence in scale, technology, and cross-market ambition.

What immediately stood out from the trailer was Shivarajkumar’s striking appearance in a woman’s get-up—a transformation that sparked conversation both at the venue and online. It is not just the novelty of the look that draws attention, but the conviction with which the veteran actor embraces the role. Actor-director Upendra, himself no stranger to experimentation, openly praised Shivarajkumar’s effort, calling it a testament to the actor’s fearless approach even decades into his career.

Shivarajkumar, addressing the audience, noted that after Annavra Makkalu, 45 marks another instance where he has portrayed a woman on screen. What makes this outing different, he stressed, is the use of quality graphics to enhance the visual impact. His remark subtly points to an important shift—where performance and technology are no longer seen as separate entities, but as collaborators in storytelling.

Upendra’s comments perhaps captured the larger industry mood most clearly. By stressing the need for producers who are willing to invest in high-quality graphics, he touched upon a long-standing limitation in Kannada cinema. His assertion that good graphics elevate the final product reflects a growing recognition that technical finesse is no longer optional, especially for films that aim to compete nationally.

The event itself mirrored this ambition. The trailer was launched simultaneously in Hubballi, Mysuru, Tumakuru, and Udupi through virtual platforms—a symbolic nod to wider reach and decentralised fandom. This multi-city launch strategy reinforces the idea that 45 is positioning itself as more than a conventional release.

Actor-director Raj B Shetty added an emotional layer to the occasion. Speaking candidly, he said he grew up watching Shivarajkumar and Upendra on screen, and sharing space with them now feels surreal. His hope that 45 will travel beyond Karnataka addresses a recurring concern in Sandalwood—why many Kannada films struggle to cross linguistic and geographical boundaries. Implicitly, the film seems to be betting on scale, content, and presentation to change that narrative.

Scheduled for release on December 25, 45 arrives with expectations that go beyond box office numbers. Its trailer suggests a film that is unafraid to blend performance-driven cinema with visual ambition. Whether it succeeds commercially remains to be seen, but as a signal of where Kannada cinema wants to head—bigger, bolder, and technically sharper—45 has already made its presence felt.

In that sense, the trailer launch wasn’t just about unveiling a film; it was about reaffirming Sandalwood’s aspiration to think bigger without losing its identity. बॉलीवुड