Arjun Janya wrote the beginning and end of 45 while heading for his brother’s asthi visarjan

Kannada cinema’s popular music composer Arjun Janya is counting down to the release of his directorial debut, 45, which stars three heavy-weights – Shivarajkumar, Upendra and Raj B Shetty – in the lead. The film hits theatres on December 25. Writing or direction was not really on Arjun’s radar, but everything changed when he lost his brother to Covid-19. In earlier media conversations, the debutant filmmaker had revealed that the idea of 45 came to him after his brother’s untimely passing.

Arjun Janya had existential questions after his brother Kiran's death

Arjun recently joined RJ Mayuraa on his Gold Class podcast and elaborated on the circumstances that gave him the idea behind the film. Arjun’s brother Kiran succumbed to Covid-19 during the second wave of the pandemic, which saw a significant surge in cases and mortality. As per tradition, Arjun wanted to bury his brother, but despite his standing in society and a letter from the health minister, he was not able to do it, because the workers at the cemetery were scared to handle the mortal remains and risk contracting the disease.

Arjun was alone in the ambulance with his brother’s body, as he tried at different places to give Kiran the send-off he deserved, but nothing worked, which got him thinking about life and death and how one’s standing in society really does not matter. Eventually, Arjun had to cremate his brother and it was on the way to the asthi visarjan ritual that the basic plot of 45 – how it starts and ends – formed in his mind, which he wrote immediately.

Also read: Arjun Janya on the inspiration behind 45: I wrote it during the pandemic when… 

“It would not be wrong to say that 45 is a drama inspired from real life; it has an intense personal connect,” said Arjun, adding that while the story is deeply rooted in spirituality, he has ensured that the film has been presented as a commercial entertainer. “I know that fans will have expectations of Shivanna, Upendra and Raj B Shetty on screen and I have catered to that demand with peak moments,” he said. The debutant adds that what will appeal to audiences is the freshness in the script and the presentation of the elevations in his 2 hour 23-minute narrative.

FAQs

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.