45 movie X review: Shiva Rajkumar, Upendra shine in metaphysical Kannada multistarrer

Kannada cinema’s much-anticipated multi-starrer '45' has finally hit theatres, and early reactions on X (formerly Twitter) indicate that the film has struck a chord with a section of the audience looking for content beyond routine commercial templates.

Starring Shiva Rajkumar, Upendra, and Raj B Shetty, the film attempts a rare blend of metaphysical philosophy and mainstream storytelling—an experiment many viewers feel largely works. Several early viewers noted that the film’s core strength lies in its concept. 

'45' reportedly draws inspiration from the Garuda Purana, weaving spiritual ideas into a narrative that moves between the real and metaphysical worlds.

One user, sharing a detailed first-half reaction, called it “above average,” highlighting the animated explanation of the Garuda Purana, effective background score, and impactful entry scenes—especially Shiva Rajkumar’s elevation during references to Subramanya Swamy.

However, the same viewer pointed out that the VFX appeared “below par” in parts.

Performances, meanwhile, are emerging as a unanimous high point. Fans have praised Upendra for embracing a layered, idea-driven role, while Shiva Rajkumar’s screen presence—particularly in the latter half and climax—has been described as “theatre erupting” and “next level.”

Raj B Shetty, known for his nuanced performances, has also received appreciation for fitting seamlessly into the film’s philosophical tone.

Music composer Arjun Janya is another standout name in early reactions. Multiple users credited the background score and songs for elevating emotional and spiritual moments, with one tweet calling his work “a winning debut for this kind of subject-driven cinema.”

The climax appears to be the film’s biggest talking point. Viewers have singled out the final 20–25 minutes for their strong philosophical payoff, symbolic references (including a much-discussed Shivathandava sequence), and emotional resonance. While some reactions mention routine scenes and uneven VFX as drawbacks, most agree that the storytelling ambition outweighs these flaws.

Overall, early X reviews suggest '45' is a bold, idea-led film that may not cater to everyone but rewards audiences willing to engage with its themes. For many, it is being described as a “philosophy-driven family entertainer” that deserves to be experienced on the big screen.