After more than three years in development, the film "Martin," starring Dhruva Sarja, is ready to be released nationwide this week. Director AP Arjun, who faced challenges with the production during the making of the film, reflects, "This project has been a great learning experience for me. Despite setbacks such as the impact of COVID-19, I choose to look ahead and focus on the grand presentation we have prepared for audiences." Here is an overview of the journey involved in creating "Martin":
- "Audiences will be kept guessing with every scene in 'Martin'"
The dedication we have poured into this film has been sincere, with a focus on captivating the viewers. Notably, the screenplay unfolds in reverse, ensuring that each scene will leave the audience intrigued about what might unfold next. "Martin" holds personal significance for me as it marks my opportunity to establish myself as a director on a larger stage.
- "Transforming from a bilingual project to a pan-Indian film"
We commenced work on "Martin" on August 15, 2021, initially envisioning it as a Kannada-Telugu bilingual venture to be completed within a year or so. However, the quality of the initial footage captured in just 10 to 15 days convinced us that the project could transcend into a pan-Indian film. Shifting from a regional Kannada production to a nationwide release necessitated reevaluating the storyline to resonate with diverse audiences. This entailed enhancing the overall production quality to align with Bollywood or Telugu film industry standards.
- "A film that will redefine Dhruva's image in the minds of the audience"
Up until now, Dhruva has predominantly featured in romantic films. Known as the 'Action Prince,' this film is poised to showcase a different facet of his talent.Dear fans, in this movie, you will see him in a new light as an action hero. The film showcases four expertly choreographed chase sequences by Ravi Varma and five fights by Ram Lakshman. International artists like Nathan Jonas and Aarash Shah also contribute to the action. This patriotic film revolves around a gangster. To alter Dhruva's on-screen persona, we have minimized his lengthy dialogues and focused on his physical presence and expressions. Director AP Arjun shares his perspective on collaborating with new talents versus established stars in the industry. Navigating the challenges posed by social media and viewer preferences for quick, engaging content, Arjun discusses the importance of keeping audiences engaged in today's fast-paced digital landscape.After undergoing more than 100 days of screening, the film was finally aired on TV. This indicates a sense of reverence for the traditional movie-watching experience in theaters. Presently, only films with strong narratives have a chance to succeed in theaters. While big-budget films featuring popular actors may attract audiences to some extent, the success of smaller, independent films in theaters suggests a positive trajectory for the film industry.