Youth Movie Review: This Relatable Love & Life Drama Hits Hard in the Climax!

Movie Name: Youth

Release Date: Mar 27, 2026
Starring: Ken Karunas, Anishma Anilkumar, Suraj Venjaramoodu, Priyanshi Yadav, Meenakshi Dinesh and Others
Director: Ken Karunas
Producers: Karuppiah C. Ram, Sulochana Kumar
Music Director: G.V. Prakash Kumar
Cinematographer: Viki
Editor: Nash

Related Links : Trailer

A coming-of-age drama titled Youth recently released in Kollywood, and its Telugu version with the same name has now arrived in theatres. Let’s see how it holds up.

Story:

Set in 2014 Chennai, Praveen (Ken Karunas) is a carefree youngster who has zero interest in studies. However, his mother Saroja (Devadarshini) dreams of seeing him become an IAS officer. Reality, though, hits differently as he barely manages to get into an intermediate college.

College life changes things—Praveen falls for Preshika (Meenakshi Dinesh) and also develops feelings for Sonal (Priyanshi Yadav), but ends up losing both. Later, he meets Gaganavalli (Anishma Anilkumar) and falls in love again. This time too, things aren’t easy, as she sets a condition before accepting him.

What is her condition? Does Praveen ever fulfill his mother’s dream? And what lessons does he learn along the way? The rest of the film answers these questions.

Plus Points:

Ken Karunas makes a solid debut as a lead actor, slipping into the role with ease. His comic timing and natural dialogue delivery work really well, making his character feel authentic and relatable—especially for younger audiences.

While the film mostly stays light and fun, the emotional punch comes towards the end. The pre-climax and climax portions are the biggest highlights, adding depth and leaving an impact.

Devadarshini and Suraj Venjaramoodu shine as Praveen’s parents. Their performances, especially in the final moments, bring strong emotional weight to the story.

Meenakshi Dinesh and Priyanshi Yadav look great on screen, and their scenes with Ken are enjoyable, even if predictable. Anishma Anilkumar plays her part with innocence and relatability, reflecting the mindset of many young girls.

The father-son moments are particularly engaging, blending humour with emotion. The love tracks and fun banter keep the film lively. Telugu dialogues feel natural and add a local touch.

Music by G.V. Prakash Kumar is a major plus. The popular track “Chamiki (Mutta Kalakki)” is well-shot and fits nicely into the narrative.

Minus Points:

The biggest drawback is the predictable storyline. Youth sticks to a familiar coming-of-age formula involving studies and love life. If you’re expecting something fresh or unique, this might feel repetitive.

Several scenes feel déjà vu. While the first half is fairly engaging, the second half starts to drag with repeated patterns, especially with yet another love track before things pick up again near the climax.

The friends’ characters are fun but don’t add much new as the story progresses. Also, the way the protagonist’s academic results are handled in the climax feels unrealistic, even though the emotional payoff works.

Technical Aspects:

As a debut director, Ken Karunas does a commendable job. Managing a 2.5-hour film with decent entertainment and a strong emotional finish is no small feat.

G.V. Prakash Kumar’s music and background score elevate several scenes and play a key role in keeping the film engaging. Viki’s cinematography is decent, while Nash’s editing is okay—though the second half could have been tighter.

Production values are satisfactory. The Telugu dubbing works for the most part, but a few characters—especially Anishma—feel slightly out of sync at times.

Verdict:

Overall, Youth is a decent coming-of-age drama that works thanks to its relatable moments, music, and strong climax. Ken Karunas impresses both as an actor and director.

Despite its predictable storyline and a slightly sluggish second half, the film manages to connect—especially with younger audiences. If you enjoy light-hearted youth dramas with an emotional finish, this one is worth a watch.