With the release of his debut film “Yuva” just hours away, actor Yuva Rajkumar reveals he’s been hit with the classic ‘Friday fever,’ feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. Speaking exclusively to Bangalore Times, Yuva opened up about his upbringing in a family of film superstars, his close bond with his late uncle, Puneeth Rajkumar, and the challenges of making a mark in the film industry as a newcomer.
Born into a family renowned for its contributions to the Kannada film industry, Yuva Rajkumar has been immersed in the world of cinema from a young age. “I was introduced to all sides of the film industry – at home through stars and on the sets through the light boys,” he shared. Recalling his childhood, he added, “Our summer vacation was all about finding out who is shooting where and visiting those sets! I used to feel at home on sets.”
Despite coming from a family of film legends, Yuva emphasized that he never felt pressured to join the industry. “I have never been pressured by my family to get into films; they’ve always let me make that choice myself,” he affirmed.
The young actor credits his family as his first school and university. “I learnt a lot by paying attention to all the pre and post-production work that took place at home. Uncle Puneeth would practise stunts in the lawn and I would imitate them in my room!” Yuva fondly recalled.
Recognizing the weight of the Rajkumar legacy, Yuva underwent extensive training in acting, dance, and other aspects of filmmaking before making his debut. “Coming from the Rajkumar family is a huge responsibility and I didn’t want to come in unprepared. I wanted to embrace the challenges with determination and diligence,” he said.
Sharing a special bond with his late uncle, Yuva spoke about their shared passions. “Uncle Puneeth had only two passions – food and films! We would watch and decode new films together. He would cook everything from Bele Saru to Biryani by watching videos and feed it to us,” he reminisced. Yuva also revealed a personal touch he added to his preparation for his role. “I wanted to make sure I truly understood the character I was playing, so I accompanied food delivery boys for three nights and delivered food to people. I wanted to portray their lives authentically on screen,” he shared.
Discussing the evolving landscape of cinema, Yuva expressed his belief in the enduring appeal of the theatrical experience. “OTTs have taken us closer to international content but nothing can compare to the theatrical experience of cinema. An emotion portrayed by an actor hits differently when experienced collectively, on the big screen,” he said. Drawing a parallel with cricket, he added, “It is like watching cricket; you can remain updated by checking the score on your phone but nothing can beat the joy of cheering for your favourite team right from the stadium.”
As “Yuva” hits the screens, Yuva Rajkumar is gearing up to face the audience’s verdict, emphasizing that success in the film industry is determined by the audience, not family connections. “It’s the audience that decides our fate, not family members. We all must fight our own battles here, equipped with individuality, which I believe is the only way to achieve success,” he concluded.