The cinematic experiment of the year has arrived. 45 held its first public screenings across Karnataka on Wednesday evening, and the initial verdict is a resounding success. Fans are hailing the film as a groundbreaking blend of high-octane action and deep philosophical storytelling rooted in the Garuda Purana and Sanatana Dharma.
45 is an eye-opener
— A Sharadhaa (@sharadasrinidhi) December 24, 2025
45 seconds slip. 45 minutes sink in. 45 days begin to count. Karma strikes early. Every action carries consequences beyond what we see. @ArjunJanyaMusic deserves commendation for explaining a culture rooted in #SantanaDharma engagingly and thoughtfully.… pic.twitter.com/oy6fnLg2PJ
The Power Trio Unleashed Audiences are specifically highlighting the unique energy brought by the leads. Shiva Rajkumar is being described as being in "God Mode" mass, especially during his "Rudra Nartana" and the multi-avatar sequences. Upendra returns to his trademark intense and intellectual form as Rayappa, while Raj B. Shetty provides the soul of the film as the common man navigating a metaphysical countdown.
#45MovieReview ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
— Anil yadav studios (@sumithyadav) December 23, 2025
Shivanna na ಶಿವತಂಡವಾ
Director @Arjun Janya Music delivers gripping storytelling with solid VFX & a goosebumps climax.@NimmaShivanna in 'God Mode' MASS. 🤩@nimmaupendra 🔥 & @RajbShettyOMK shines.
don’t miss #45TheMovie pic.twitter.com/mzlSkbEspk
Visuals and Climax The "final 30 minutes" are trending on X, with viewers calling the climax "unimaginable" and "out of this world." Despite minor VFX inconsistencies noted by some, the overall scale and the background score (BGM)—composed by Arjun Janya himself—are being credited with creating a theater experience unlike any other in Sandalwood.
#45TheMovie review
— Kichcha Aksh ᴹᵃˣ (@akshathchintu) December 24, 2025
Negative helbardhu so first positive helthini@NimmaShivanna portion ondhe positive one man show 💥💥 he saved the 2nd half
1st half enu ila 👎🏻
Bari VFX VFX VFX VFX adhu worst vfx
Story anthu ila climax twist anthu ina worst 💀@ArjunJanyaMusic 👎🏻👎🏻
🌟🌟✨/5 https://t.co/0Qns3Uen0m pic.twitter.com/I6huzKrNFk
Directorial Triumph For a debut filmmaker, Arjun Janya is receiving immense praise for his "fresh narration" and "meditative rhythm." The film skips traditional romantic subplots and unnecessary songs, focusing entirely on a gripping narrative of karma and consequences.
My view on #45TheMovie
— Jai's Cinema World (@JaiCinemaWorld) December 24, 2025
Great watch for its unique storytelling & definitely a must watch for @NimmaShivanna SHIVA TANDAVA!
SHIVANNA's screen presence makes an average film to a must-watch experience 🔥🙌🏻
RATINGS: 4/5@ArjunJanyaMusic @nimmaupendra @RajbShettyOMK #45TheFilm pic.twitter.com/NVONvTytLl
Performance & Technical Highlights
| Feature | Audience Verdict | Key Highlights |
| Performances | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Shivanna's 11 avatars; Upendra's intensity. |
| Direction | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | High-concept storytelling; successful debut. |
| Music/BGM | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Adrenaline-thumping; elevates every scene. |
| VFX/Visuals | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Ambitious scale; spectacular interval block. |
Cast and Crew At A Glance
- Lead Cast: Shiva Rajkumar, Upendra, Raj B. Shetty, Kaustubha Mani.
- Supporting: Rajendran, Jisshu Sengupta, Pramod Shetty.
- Technical Team: Satya Hegde (Cinematography), K.M. Prakash (Editor), Dr. K. Ravivarma (Stunts).
As the film rolls out nationwide today, December 25, the early positive word-of-mouth is expected to translate into massive box-office numbers for this holiday weekend.
