Yuva review: Brains over brawn missed in a sea of stereotype

Yuvaraj Raghavendra Rajkumar certainly embodies a strong, masculine presence on screen, yet it's refreshing to imagine a film where the hero conquers adversaries with his wit rather than brute strength.

Lately, Kannada cinema has fallen into a pattern reminiscent of the KGF series, focusing on heroes who flex their muscles and deliver lines with a stoic demeanour, alluding to an unrealistic sense of invulnerability.

The story

Yuva introduces us to Yuvaraj, an engineering student in Mangaluru whose temper seems to escalate with every scene. The college administration believes the institution would be idyllic without him.

Trouble begins when he and his coach, Kishore, are falsely accused of rigging a wrestling match, which results in a two-year ban. Oddly enough, this misfortune endears him to the campus troublemakers who destroy his motorcycle, prompting Yuvaraj to go on a retaliatory spree against every bike on campus. This act of vengeance ignites a gang war, drawing in the criminal underworld of Mangaluru, all of whom are inexplicably outmatched by Yuvaraj.

A scene where a gang leader fails to shoot Yuvaraj from close range particularly strains credibility. Despite the college principal's (portrayed by the skilled Gopalkrishna Deshpande) earnest attempts to guide him with sage advice, his efforts barely make a dent in changing his course.

Personal crisis

As the movie progresses, we leave the college battlegrounds for a personal crisis at Yuvaraj's home, where his father has absconded and is unable to settle his debts. Yuvaraj finds himself defending his family against thugs sent to collect, further showcasing his physical prowess over his intellectual capabilities.

The film also explores Yuvaraj's rocky relationship with his girlfriend, Panchami Gowda, whose performance in Kantara was critically acclaimed. She wrestles with the decision to stay by his side, eventually choosing to support him despite the chaos.

However, the film's attempt to deepen its narrative with familial drama falls short. Yuvaraj's parents, played by the talented Achyut Kumar and Sudharani, are portrayed in a simplistic and unflattering light. Gowda, Kumar, and Sudharan would have performed better had their characters been fleshed out.

Script is critical

For Yuvaraj Raghavendra Rajkumar, a descendant of the legendary actor Rajkumar, future projects will necessitate a more grounded script and a director capable of showcasing his range beyond physical confrontations.

While Yuva may attract viewers out of curiosity, continuing down this cinematic path offers little benefit to the Kannada film industry, which is in dire need of directors who can elevate its storytelling.