Shivarajkumar has seen THIS Malayalam classic movie 50 times; wins over Kerala fans with rendition of hit song

Over the past two days, Hattrick Hero Shivarajkumar and Real Star Upendra, 2 of the 3 main pillars of the upcoming Kannada film 45, joined its director, composer-turned filmmaker Arjun Janya and producer Ramesh Reddy (Nathicharami and Gaalipata 2 fame) on a whirlwind tour of Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai and Kochi. Two weeks after launching the Kannada original teaser of the film, the team took off on this promotional tour to spread the word about 45, which will be released in multiple languages.

When Shivarajkumar sang Manasamaine varoo

The last leg of the tour was in Kochi, during which Shivarajkumar, who found a new legion of fans in the state, after his cameo in Rajinikanth’s Jailer, was asked if he could sing a song in Malayalam, which, to everyone’s surprise, he did. Turns out, Shivarajkumar is a big fan of a classic Malayalam film from the 60s that he says he’s seen at least 50 times, so much so that he could sing a couple of lines of one of its hit songs with only minor flaws.

Shivarajkumar, who is known to be quite the movie buff, and watches films across languages told the gathering that his absolute favourite Malayalam film is the 1966 romantic drama Chemmeen, starring Sathyan, Sheela and Madhu in the lead. He then sang Manasamaine Varoo, originally sung by Manna Dey, which was highly appreciated, given that his rendition was almost impeccable. During the promotional event, Shivarajkumar also said that he recently enjoyed watching Kunchacko Boban’s Officer on Duty, as well as films like Manjummel Boys and Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey.

45 will be Shivarajkumar’s first major release since Bhairathi Ranagal, the prequel of Mufti, which came out in November 2024. He had been shooting for the film when he was diagnosed with cancer of the bladder, for which he needed surgery. Before heading to Miami for that bit of his treatment, Shivarajkumar had wrapped up shooting for the film, including a 10-day action block in the climax, at a time when he was undergoing chemotherapy.

What they have done in this climax will be a treat for audiences – that is the assurance the team gives. Meanwhile, 45 according to the makers is a film that spans a 45-day period, with the speculation being that Upendra plays Yama (god of death) and Shivarajkumar (Shiva) and the tussle about saving one man, played by Raj B Shetty, who is also quite popular with Malayalam audiences, thanks to his films Garuda Gamana Vrishabha Vahana and Toby, and his direct Malayalam films, Turbo, Kondal and Rudhiram.