yuva telugu movie review

Yuva movie review: The love affair of Hombale films and machismo continues with Yuva Rajkumar’s debut

Yuva movie review: towards the end, director santhosh ananddram surprisingly opts for a 'cut-and-paste' approach, replicating the climax of aamir khan's dangal..

Fresh out of the gym, Yuva Rajkumar exudes machismo in every frame of the film. Staying true to their penchant for hyper-masculinity, Hombale Films blends hefty doses of action with the KGF vibes to design the debut of the Rajkumar scion. Indeed, the two films share similarities, the most prominent being the protagonists’ ability to single-handedly face the onslaught of an entire army. Much like Anant Nag’s compelling narration introducing Yash’s character, here too, we witness a similar narrative style focusing on Yuva.

Incongruously though, in this world that seems to run on steroids, director Santhosh Ananddram suddenly presents us with a cut-and-paste of the climax of Aamir Khan ’s Dangal, down to the slow-motion shots of Geeta Phogat lifting and slamming her opponent. It begs the question: why?

Moving on to the subplot, the film Yuva kicks off with a banger of a fight unfolding in a college campus. Dismayed administration immediately suspends members of both factions — local students and those from other areas. Only, there are no two groups — it is our hero singlehandedly making a meal of a horde of boys.

While the first half brims with action-packed sequences and rollicking background music, audiences may find themselves questioning why Yuva lacks dialogues. As any intense scene unfolds, Santhosh Ananddram uses closeups of Yuva’s face, expecting to capture his thoughts. However, the lead could only provide one expression, and it is difficult to gauge whether it is of anger or anguish.

The movie really kicks into gear after the interval when the writer gets down to business. They nail the father-son storyline, doing it even better than Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Animal. Yuva, the brat, goes from bat-wielding troublemaker to a guy juggling the heavy responsibility of paying off his dad’s massive debts. But I’ll be honest, I was scratching my head until the end trying to figure out how he planned to clear the back-breaking debts on a delivery boy’s salary.

Towards the end, the focus shifts to the family’s emotional journey, with Yuva’s father finding a new lease of life, thanks to his son’s efforts. Despite Yuva’s triumph over adversity, including facing off against goons, recovering lost money, and winning the national wrestling championship, the film veers into sob story territory centered around the family.

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Hombale Films (@hombalefilms)

Sapthami Gowda, who stars opposite Yuva, gets minimal screen time. The film also fails to flesh out story arcs for characters in supporting roles. However, Achyuth Kumar’s portrayal of Yuva’s father stands out with his earnest depiction of a middle-class man with big dreams. His performance, particularly in scenes similar to Dangal, overshadows Yuva’s to a considerable extent.

Yuva movie cast : Yuva Rajkumar, Sapthami Gowda, Achyuth Kumar, Sudharani, and Kishore

Yuva movie director: Santhosh Ananddram

Yuva movie rating: 2 stars

You want to be the smartest in the room.

You want access to our award-winning journalism.

You don’t want to be misled and misinformed.

Bashar al-Assad is gone, what's happening in Syria now? Subscriber Only

How political drama let Constitution debate down Subscriber Only

The many conflicts between Nehru and Ambedkar Subscriber Only

Chhagan Bhujbal: 'I am not consulted for anything now' Subscriber Only

What Indian PM's first visit to Kuwait in 4 decades Subscriber Only

12 issues that made headlines in 2024 Subscriber Only

Raj Kapoor @ 100: The showman whose magic dazzles us Subscriber Only

Hindi cinema's best to worst in 2024 Subscriber Only

How One Hundred Years of Solitude turned into a screenplay

How raagas can heal: A life in music and memories Subscriber Only

Bandish Bandits Season 2 review: No straggly spots, only the

Bhupen Khakhar made a virtue of painting pain, he suffered Subscriber Only

Anjali is a sub editor at The Indian Express (online) and works with the entertainment team. She has completed one year in the industry and mostly covers Bollywood and Sandalwood.  Anjali specializes in covering movies and writing reviews, and she's currently focused on the Sandalwood industry. In addition to her Bollywood and Sandalwood industry coverage, she also keeps you updated on the latest news in the world of K-pop. You can contact her at [email protected]. Experience: Years of experience: 1 Qualification, Degrees: Bachelor's degree in Commerce, PG Diploma in Journalism from the Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media, Bangalore Previous experience: Internship with Outlook Social Media Profile: Anjali Belgaumkar has 900+ followers on Instagram ... Read More

• Puneeth Rajkumar

Mumbai’s first ever recycling plant for construction debris, which was commissioned last year to tackle the city’s growing air pollution woes, became operational from earlier this month. Construction debris comprises solid waste generated from construction sites, which includes composition of plastic, stone chips, mud and bricks.

More Entertainment

Top Stories

Dec 20: Latest News

• 01 How Smriti Mandhana and Richa Ghosh put to sword West Indies’ attack for a famous series win
• 02 Music holds crowd in rapture at Sawai Gandharva fest day two
• 03 Congress Mumbai office vandalised after protest march by BJYM, 40 booked: police
• 04 ‘No evidence of abetment to suicide’: Accused in Air India pilot ‘suicide’ files bail plea
• 05 Earmarked safe houses for interfaith, inter-caste couples across state: Govt to HC
• Elections 2024
• Political Pulse
• Entertainment
• Movie Review
• Newsletters
• Web Stories
• Border-Gavaskar Trophy
• Mini Crossword
• Express Shorts
• Health & Wellness
• International

Our award-winning news reports, explainers now straight on your device

This No Is Already Registered.

Thanks For Registered Mobile No.

Yuva Movie Review: An angst-fuelled action film with familial bonds at its core

Yuva ( 3 / 5).

Every debutant’s maiden film serves as a litmus test, and for Yuva Rajkumar, hailing from the Rajkumar clan, the weight of legacy looms large as he steps into the cinematic world. Backed by the reputable Hombale Films and guided by director Santhosh Ananddram, the stage seemed impeccably set for a triumphant launch. But amidst all the promise, does Yuva truly deliver the apt inaugural act for Yuva Rajkumar?

Director: Santhosh Ananddram Cast: Yuva Rajkumar, Sapthami Gowda, Achyuth Rao, Hitha Chandrashekar, Kishore, and Gopal Krishna Deshpande

The film kicks off amidst the pulsating energy of a college campus. Reflecting the protagonist’s rebellious streak, every scene is filled with our hero riding bikes, puffing cigarettes, and downing beers. The action takes precedence and very few dialogues are heard, particularly in the initial fifty minutes. Within the confines of Mangaluru’s college life, a fierce conflict brews between local boys and hostel students, morphing into a full-fledged gang war. Yuva finds himself ensnared in this web of violence, a victim of ego clashes. The hostility within the hostel intensifies, with Yuva’s girlfriend Siri (Sapthami Gowda), who is also studying engineering, becoming a target. While the action sequences add vigour to the narrative, they fail to elucidate the underlying reasons behind the tumultuous gang wars, leaving a void in the storyline. Action chore ographer Arjun Raj’s task becomes paramount, requiring him to infuse each fight sequence with thematic significance to propel the plot forward. It isn’t until the introduction song, Obbane Shiva, which appears roughly at the 45th minute, that we are offered a glimpse into Yuva’s background, depicting strained familial relations typical of many youths.

In essence, Yuva straddles a precarious line between the first and second half of the film, tethered together only by the glimpse of Yuva’s father (Achyuth Kumar), who is seen at college premises, berating his son for not living up to expectations. There is also a hint of a sports-centric background, with Veeranna Doddmane (Kishore), the wrestling coach training Yuva, being in the dock for having taken a bribe. The story mainly gains momentum in the second half. As Yuva returns home after completing his engineering degree, he is confronted with the stark reality of his father’s disappearance, driven underground by mounting debts. On the other side, he is banned from wrestling due to match-fixing allegations. Yuva, who grapples with the weight of familial responsibility, shouldering his duties as a son, takes up the humble role of a food delivery boy, he contends with relentless harassment from creditors seeking repayment of his father’s debts. As the film progresses, we are given a close-up look at the life of food delivery boys in general and the humiliations they face both in and out of their work.

The narrative pivots on Yuva’s quest to find his missing father and alleviate the burdens weighing on his family, including his supportive sister (Hitha Chandrashekar). Amongst all this, will he strive to fulfil his aspirations of returning to the world of wrestling? Yuva serves as a gritty exploration of a youth’s journey from being an angry young youth during college, navigating ego clashes, to taking up family responsibilities. Santhosh Ananddram has taken ample space and time, to elevate Yuva’s role as a mass hero. The director has made Yuva Rajkumar convey more through subtle gestures and expressions, relying less on words and more on the language of his eyes and body, amidst rigorous action sequences, bombarding at various intervals. Santhosh’s signature style comes through in the second half, where family values are highlighted, paralleling multiple episodes such as finding the missing father, turning into a delivery boy, the quest to be part of wrestling, and shouldering responsibility. One may wonder why Santhosh never found much space for humour, which would have added a refreshing essence. Yuva Rajkumar in his debut finds himself immersed in an abundance of action-packed scenes and gets an opportunity to showcase his dancing skills, and little into wrestling as well. In certain scenes, particularly in the songs where he engages in exercises or whether it is the dance moves, Yuva Rajkumar’s mannerism echoes his uncle, Puneeth Rajkumar. Yuva Rajkumar, who has room for improvisation, a trait that is likely to be explored further by the actor.

Sapthami Gowda, as a love interest, plays an important role as she becomes a pillar of strength, standing by Yuva through thick and thin. However, her presence is minimal in the latter part of Yuva’s journey. Achyuth Kumar has a strong role to play as the father, and he portrays it well, especially in scenes where he witnesses his son’s win at the ring, evoking emotions. Sudharani’s presence is felt, but Hitha’s role is focused.

Kishore’s portrayal as a coach is perfect, yet it feels like there needs to be more impact. Accompanied by Ajaneesh’s music, which harmonises seamlessly with the narrative, however, with the exception of the ‘Appuge,’ song, the tracks do not enhance the story. While cinematographer Shreesha Kuduvalli captures Yuva’s character essence, up and close and Achyuth Kumar’s emotive expressions, his work on the college scenes and aerial shots is impressive. Yuva serves as a gritty exploration of a young man’s journey. While it may slightly falter in its execution in parts, the film’s sincerity and earnestness ultimately shine through. The simple yet emotionally touching ending, punctuated by a poignant moment featuring Puneeth Rajkumar, strikes a chord, underscoring the enduring themes of redemption and familial bonds. In summary, Yuva speaks louder in angst-fueled action, echoing family bonds.

We sent an email to [email protected]

Didn't you get the email?

By joining, you agree to the Terms and Policies and Privacy Policy and to receive email from the Fandango Media Brands .

By continuing, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from the Fandango Media Brands .

Log in or sign up for Rotten Tomatoes

Trouble logging in?

By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes and to receive email from the Fandango Media Brands .

By creating an account, you agree to the Privacy Policy and the Terms and Policies , and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes.

Email not verified

Let's keep in touch.

Sign up for the Rotten Tomatoes newsletter to get weekly updates on:

• Upcoming Movies and TV shows
• Rotten Tomatoes Podcast
• Media News + More

By clicking "Sign Me Up," you are agreeing to receive occasional emails and communications from Fandango Media (Fandango, Vudu, and Rotten Tomatoes) and consenting to Fandango's Privacy Policy and Terms and Policies . Please allow 10 business days for your account to reflect your preferences.

OK, got it!

• About Rotten Tomatoes®
• Login/signup

Movies in theaters

• Opening This Week
• Top Box Office
• Coming Soon to Theaters
• Certified Fresh Movies

Movies at Home

• Fandango at Home
• Prime Video
• Most Popular Streaming Movies
• What to Watch New

Certified fresh picks

• 96% The Brutalist Link to The Brutalist
• 86% The Room Next Door Link to The Room Next Door
• 86% Carry-On Link to Carry-On

New TV Tonight

• 94% Laid: Season 1
• -- Fast Friends: Season 1
• -- Virgin River: Season 6
• -- Beast Games: Season 1
• -- Aaron Rodgers: Enigma: Season 1
• -- The Secret Lives of Animals: Season 1

Most Popular TV on RT

• 93% Black Doves: Season 1
• 81% No Good Deed: Season 1
• 84% One Hundred Years of Solitude: Season 1
• 89% Star Wars: Skeleton Crew: Season 1
• 69% Secret Level: Season 1
• -- La Palma: Season 1
• 73% Dexter: Original Sin: Season 1
• 86% The Day of the Jackal: Season 1
• 70% Dune: Prophecy: Season 1
• 68% The Agency: Season 1
• Best TV Shows
• Most Popular TV

Certified fresh pick

• 81% No Good Deed: Season 1 Link to No Good Deed: Season 1
• All-Time Lists
• Binge Guide
• Comics on TV
• Five Favorite Films
• Video Interviews
• Weekend Box Office
• Weekly Ketchup
• What to Watch

50 Best Music Biopic Movies

Timothée Chalamet’s Best Movies, Ranked by Tomatometer

What to Watch: In Theaters and On Streaming.

Awards Tour

2025 Golden Globe Awards Ballot: Complete with Tomatometer and Popcornmeter Scores

Renewed and Cancelled TV Shows 2024

• Trending on RT
• Awards Season
• Best Netflix Movies
• Renewed and Cancelled TV
• TV Premiere Dates

Critics Reviews

Cast & crew.

Santhosh Ananddram

Sapthami Gowda

Yuva Rajkumar

Achyuth Kumar

Screenwriter

Vijay Kiragandur

Yuva Movie Review

Swaroop Kodur

Narrative Ambition

Yuva attempts to tackle multiple themes including university conflicts, family dynamics, and personal growth, but struggles to weave them cohesively, resulting in a disjointed narrative that dilutes the impact of its central coming-of-age story.

Character Exploration

Protagonist Yuva's journey unfolds amidst university conflicts and family turmoil, showcasing his evolution from a hot-blooded student to a responsible son, albeit amidst a backdrop of excessive action sequences and verbose dialogues that distract from character depth.

Tonal Shifts

The film transitions abruptly from action-packed sequences to introspective family drama, with a stark shift in tone and treatment, where Yuva must confront his father's financial troubles and reconcile his aggressive persona with humility and responsibility.

Performance Dynamics

While debutant Yuva Rajkumar impresses in action sequences, his portrayal lacks depth in more dramatic moments, although his chemistry with Achyuth Kumar adds emotional resonance to the film's latter half, with notable performances from supporting cast members enhancing overall engagement.

Narrative Disparity

Yuva struggles with balancing its numerous plotlines, notably sidelining the sports-drama angle until the film's conclusion, resulting in rushed resolutions and missed opportunities for narrative payoff, ultimately diminishing the impact of its thematic exploration.

Mixed Results

Despite memorable moments and engaging performances, Yuva fails to realize its full potential, weighed down by narrative clutter and underdeveloped subplots, ultimately rendering it a sum of disjointed parts rather than a cohesive cinematic experience.

Thanks For Rating

Reminder successfully set, select a city.

• Nashik Times
• Aurangabad Times
• Badlapur Times

You can change your city from here. We serve personalized stories based on the selected city

• Edit Profile
• Briefs Movies TV Web Series Lifestyle Trending Visual Stories Music Events Videos Theatre Photos Gaming

Pushpa 2: The Rule box office collection: The Allu Arjun starrer beats Stree 2, Jawan, and Baahubali 2 to become the top Hindi net grosser in Just 15 days

Vikrant Massey reveals why needs a break as he talks about his retirement post: 'Honeymoon pe nahi jaa paaye'

Honey Singh's sister reveals his ex-wife forced him to perform at a US show while he was begging for help: 'Mujhe please bacha lo, gudiya'

Abhishek Bachchan-Aishwarya Rai come together for Aaradhya's annual day, Virat Kohli scolds paparazzi for filming kids Akaay and Vamika: Top 5 news

Varun Dhawan talks about Anushka Sharma's influence on Virat Kohli's life: 'He was literally crying, he blamed himself'

Did you know Katrina Kaif was the first choice for Salman Khan's ‘Veer’? Anil Sharma reveals why Zareen Khan bagged the role

Movie Reviews

Saturday Night

Mufasa: The Lion King

Pushpa 2: The Rule

Jaaiye Aap Kahan Jaayen...

Sikandar Ka Muqaddar

A Nonsense Christmas Wi...

Emilia Perez

• Movie Listings

Esha Kansara's vibrant charm in a tropical tee

Shruti Haasan's Unmatched Love for Black Outfits

Unni Mukundan’s dashing looks from ‘Marco’

​Meenakshi Chaudhary's traditional wears is a love for ethnic fashion lovers​

Rakul Preet Singh stuns in white and blue saree

Mimi Chakraborty’s all-black Indo-Western look is the epitome of glamour

Malavika Mohanan slays in traditional elegance

9 Times Nora Fatehi gave saree-style goals

Hansika Motwani’s vacation pictures

Helly Shah radiates ethereal charm

Welcome To The Jungle

Zero Se Restart

Rocky The Slave

Dhai Aakhar

I Want To Talk

The Lord of the Rings:...

Mahayogi: Highway 1 to...

Kraven: The Hunter

Christmas Eve In Mille...

Twilight of the Warrio...

Gladiator II

Viduthalai: Part - 2

Once Upon A Time In Ma...

Soodhu Kavvum 2

Family Padam

Dappankuthu

Sorgavaasal

Bachhala Malli

Pranaya Godari

Roti Kapda Romance

Mechanic Rocky

Devaki Nandana Vasudev...

KCR: Keshava Chandra R...

Dhoom Dhaam

Jithender Reddy

ED: Extra Decent

Sookshmadarshini

Njan Kandatha Sare

Sthanarthi Sreekuttan

All We Imagine As Ligh...

Hello Mummy

Chaalchitro: The Frame...

5 No. Swapnomoy Lane

Aamar Labangalata

Jamalaye Jibonto Bhanu...

Abar Asibo Firey

Panjab Files

Raduaa Returns

Hey Siri Ve Siri

Cinema Pichodu

Apne Ghar Begane

Goreyan Naal Lagdi Zam...

Mittran Da Challeya Tr...

Shri Ganesha

Hashtag Tadev Lagnam

Dharmarakshak Mahaveer...

Fussclass Dabhadet

Naad: The Hard Love

Hya Goshtila Navach Na...

Sooryavansham

Rang De Basanti

Dil Lagal Dupatta Wali...

Mahadev Ka Gorakhpur

Nirahua The Leader

Tu Nikla Chhupa Rustam...

Rowdy Rocky

Mental Aashiq

The Great Gujarati Mat...

Ajab Raat Ni Gajab Vaa...

Pran Preet Na Bandhiya...

Bubbly Bindaas

Kale Lagan Chhe !?!

Hal Bheru Gamde

Bhag Romeo Bhag

Karma Wallet

Chandrabanshi

Jajabara 2.0

Operation 12/17

Dui Dune Panch

Your rating, write a review (optional).

• Movie Listings /

Would you like to review this movie?

Cast & Crew

Latest Reviews

No Good Deed

Karate Girls

One Hundred Years Of Solitude

Secret Level

Black Doves

Yuva - Official Trailer

Yuva | Song - Appuge (Lyrical)

Yuva | Song - Kavithe Kavithe (Lyrical)

Yuva | Song - Obbane Shiva Obbane Yuva (Lyric...

Users' Reviews

Refrain from posting comments that are obscene, defamatory or inflammatory, and do not indulge in personal attacks, name calling or inciting hatred against any community. Help us delete comments that do not follow these guidelines by marking them offensive . Let's work together to keep the conversation civil.

• What is the release date of 'Yuva'? Release date of Yuva Rajkumar and Sapthami Gowda starrer 'Yuva' is 2024-03-29.
• Who are the actors in 'Yuva'? 'Yuva' star cast includes Yuva Rajkumar, Sapthami Gowda, Achyuth Kumar and Sudharani.
• Who is the director of 'Yuva'? 'Yuva' is directed by Santhosh Ananddram.
• Who is the producer of 'Yuva'? 'Yuva' is produced by Vijay Kiraganduru.
• What is Genre of 'Yuva'? 'Yuva' belongs to 'Action,Romance' genre.
• In Which Languages is 'Yuva' releasing? 'Yuva' is releasing in Kannada.

Visual Stories

Nita Ambani to Kareena Kapoor Khan: Best dressed at annual day of Dhirubhai Ambani School

Sanskrit names for baby boy that sound modern

8 foods to avoid pairing with eggs and why

How to deal with interfering in-laws

10 reasons why pineapple and ginger are a perfect pair for weight loss

10 birds that migrate far every year

​10 best ways to improve your reading skills​

Entertainment

10 Pinteresty ways to revamp your bedroom decor

Year Ender 2024: 11 foods that were given GI status in India

Upcoming Movies

Popular movie reviews.

Aaram Arvindswamy

Maryade Prashne

Krishnam Pranaya Sakhi

Bhairathi Ranagal