After more than three years of production, the upcoming film "Martin," starring Dhruva Sarja, is scheduled to be released nationwide this week. Director AP Arjun, who faced challenges during the film's production, reflects on the journey and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. He expresses optimism for the film's release and the opportunity to showcase it to a wide audience.
Here are some key insights shared by Arjun:
'Suspenseful Scenes in Martin'
The dedication put into creating "Martin" has been genuine, with a focus on engaging the audience. The film's unconventional screenplay, presented in reverse order, keeps viewers on edge, guessing about the unfolding events. Arjun sees "Martin" as a pivotal project that will establish his reputation as a director on a larger scale.
'Transition to a Pan-India Film'
Initially conceived as a bilingual project in Kannada and Telugu, "Martin" commenced production on August 15, 2021. The film's potential for broader appeal led to a decision to transform it into a pan-India release. This shift necessitated reevaluating the content to resonate with diverse audiences and enhancing the production value to match industry standards beyond regional cinema limitations.
'A Reimagining of Dhruva's Image'
"Dhruva has typically been associated with romantic roles as the 'Action Prince,'" acknowledges Arjun. With "Martin," the film aims to redefine Dhruva's on-screen persona, showcasing his versatility beyond traditional genres and offering audiences a fresh perspective.
Dear fans, get ready to see him in a new light as an action hero in this film. It showcases four chase sequences choreographed by Ravi Varma and five fights choreographed by Ram Lakshman, with international artists like Nathan Jonas and Aarash Shah adding to the action. This patriotic film centers around a gangster, and in a deliberate move to shift his on-screen persona, Dhruva's character relies more on non-verbal cues such as his walk, eyes, body language, and expressions rather than lengthy dialogues. Director AP Arjun reflects on working with both seasoned stars and newcomers in the industry, highlighting the creative freedom that comes with the latter. He recounts the journey of shaping Dhruva as an actor in his debut film and the challenge of reinventing his on-screen image in their latest collaboration. With the rise of social media and attention spans getting shorter, filmmakers face the task of engaging audiences who are constantly seeking new and captivating content.After undergoing a screening period of more than 100 days, the film finally aired on television, underscoring the significance of the cinematic viewing experience. Today, only films with substantial content have the potential to succeed in theaters. While star-studded movies may attract some viewers, it is the success of smaller, independent films in theaters that signals a positive direction for the film industry.