45 release date announcement: Netizens anticipate box office clash with another star-led Kannada film

Composer Arjun Janya’s directorial debut, 45, has been postponed from August 15 to December 25, a festival window, which, as of now does not have much competition in store

45 the movie to release on Dec 25, 2025

A week after the originally announced release date of the upcoming Kannada film 45 had passed by, the team addressed the media and announced when to expect the Shivarajkumar, Upendra and Raj B Shetty led film in theatres. Producer Ramesh Reddy and debutant director Arjun Janya have declared 45 as a Christmas release, a date on which only Adivi Shesh’s Telugu film Dacoit and Alia Bhatt’s entry into the YRF spy universe, Alpha, have confirmed to be in theatres.

45 vs Avatar: Fire and Ash and...?

Unlike last year, when there were films like Barroz, Baby John, Robinhood, Marco, UI and Max in theatres between December 20 and 25, while Pushpa 2 was still in theatres, this time around, the Christmas week is not looking very packed. Prabhas’ The Raja Saab and Ranveer Singh’s Durandhar will release on December 5, but then there are no other confirmations except James Cameron’s latest instalment in his Avatar franchise, Fire and Ash on December 19.

The big buzz, though, is that 45 may run into a clash with a star-led film after all. Kiccha Sudeep, who is currently shooting for his untitled film with Max maker Vijay Kartikeyaa, had hinted that the team is working towards ensuring a December release, but that is still only a distant possibility, given that it is still in production.

That leaves Dhruva Sarja’s KD The Devil and Darshan Thoogudeepa’s The Devil, both of which are yet to announce release dates. For the longest time, it was heard that The Devil was eyeing a December release, closer to Christmas, but then reports emerged that it maybe in theatres even earlier, with a Rajyotsava outing likely. The first song from Darshan’s film will be out on August 24, along which the release date announcement is expected. It is imperative for the team of The Devil to release in 2025 even in Darshan’s absence.

Also read: 45 movie release: VFX works to be completed only by mid-October; film to be delayed further

Where does that leave KD The Devil? A Dhruva vs Darshan clash is likely, is what’s speculated, but director Prem is unlikely to go ahead with such a plan. What is for sure is that both KD and The Devil will be in theatres much after Kantara: Chapter 1, which will release on October 2. Even if there’s no Kannada film or other major south release for Christmas, netizens think that 45 is releasing way too close to Avatar. Alpha and Avatar will take up most of the screens in the Hindi belt, they reckon.

FAQs

Q. Who is on the cast of 45 the movie?

A. 45 the movie brings together Shivarajkumar, Upendra and Raj B Shetty. It is the directorail debut of composer Arjun Janya.

Q. What happened to Arjun Janya?

A. Kannada music composer Arjun Janya suffered a massive heart attack during the Covid-19 pandemic, but has since made a remarkable recovery.

Q. What is the inspiration behind Arjun Janya's directorial debut, 45?

A. Arjun Janya lost his brother during the Covid-19 pandemic, which is the inspiration behind the story of 45. According to reports, the film revolves around the 45 days after a person's death, which, as per Sanatana Dharma, is when it is decided if the soul moves to the after life or gets reborn.

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