The Tamil coming-of-age romantic comedy Youth was released in theatres on March 19, a day when the Hindi film belt was dominated by Dhurandhar 2. However, despite the competition, the Tamil film starring debutant Ken Karunaas fared well at the box office in the state. The film became a hit, especially among the younger audience. After its successful theatrical run, the film is now available to stream on Netflix. The film started its digital journey on April 16. Now, actor and filmmaker Rishab Shetty has showered the team with high praise.
Rishab Shetty praises Youth
Rishab Shetty of Kantara fame took to X and wrote, “After a long time, I found myself smiling throughout an entire film. Youth is filled with love, friendship, and deep emotions — a heartfelt tribute dedicated to all parents.”
He added, “Single handedly writing, directing and acting with such nuanced depth is truly commendable. Every actor is brought to life so naturally on screen. Suraj Venjaramoodu sir, Deva Darshini ma’am, and the entire friend`s gang are an absolute joy to watch. Special mention to music director gvprakash, the DOP @DopViki, editor editorNash and producers The_KCR and Sulochana Kumar for trusting the vision. #Youth — a film by KenKarunaas. Brother, you will be an asset to cinema.”
After a long time, I found myself smiling throughout an entire film. #Youth is filled with love, friendship, and deep emotions — a heartfelt tribute dedicated to all parents.
Single handedly writing, directing and acting with such nuanced depth is truly commendable. Every actor… pic.twitter.com/uaz5NV2Z2u
— Rishab Shetty (@shetty_rishab) April 20, 2026
Ken Karunaas about letting go his film
Actor Ken Karunaas played a lead actor for the first time and also made his debut as a director with Youth. Ahead of the film`s release, he had penned an emotional note in which he has expressed how he was finding it hard to let go of his film, which he considers his “little baby”.
Taking to his social media timelines to pen a heartfelt post, the actor and first-time director said, “Cinema… From the day I fell in love with it, everything else slowly became secondary. It wasn’t just something I watched… it became something I lived.”
He went on to say, “I’m just 24… but from my childhood till now, this is the only thing that has stayed with me. Through every phase, every doubt, every small dream… cinema never left my side. Can’t believe I can’t work on Youth anymore…For so long, it felt like my own little baby… something I woke up with and slept thinking about every single day.”
Stating that as a hero, he had “lived a beautiful story” and as a director, he had “found my own”, Ken Karunaas said, “Every frame holds a piece of my heart… every moment carries a part of my journey. There were days it broke me, days it built me… but it always reminded me why I started.”
The actor-director told audiences that he had made this film keeping them in mind, always wondering how audiences would feel, where they would smile and where they would connect with his film and its story.
“So many beautiful souls came together to make this possible… forever grateful to each one of them. And now… I’m letting it go… From something that was mine to something that becomes yours. Take care of it. Love it like I did… maybe even more!
Hope it entertains you, stays with you, and gives you something beautiful to hold on to. From a kid who just loved cinema to this moment,” he wrote.
