Rishab Shetty Calls Ken Karunas An Asset To Cinema As Youth Hits The 71+ Crore Mark Worldwide

Ken Karunas has made a significant mark with his directorial debut, Youth. The Tamil film, produced on a reported budget of only 6 crore, has successfully crossed the 71 crore mark at the worldwide box office. This impressive financial performance has been accompanied by a wave of positive feedback, including a recent endorsement from National Award winner Rishab Shetty, who shared his thoughts on the film after a recent screening.

Rishab Shetty took to social media to share his excitement after watching the film, mentioning that he found himself smiling through the entire experience. He described the story as a heartfelt tribute dedicated to all parents, woven together with themes of love, friendship, and deep emotions. The Kantara actor was particularly impressed by how Ken Karunas managed the heavy lifting of writing, directing, and acting all on his own, noting that he did so with commendable, nuanced depth. Rishab also highlighted the natural performances of the cast, specifically mentioning Suraj Venjaramoodu, Deva Darshini, and the entire friend's gang for bringing joy to the screen. He didn't forget the technical team either, giving a special mention to music director G.V. Prakash, DOP Viki, and the producers for trusting Ken's vision. His review ended with a strong vote of confidence, calling Ken Karunas a future asset to the world of cinema.

Taking to social media, the Kantara star mentioned that he found himself smiling throughout the entire movie. He described Youth as a heartfelt tribute dedicated to all parents, filled with deep emotions, love, and friendship. Rishab specifically noted that Ken Karunas handled the writing, directing, and acting with commendable depth. He also praised the natural performances of the entire cast, including Suraj Venjaramoodu and Devadarshini, stating that Ken will be a valuable asset to the world of cinema.

The film itself is a 142-minute coming-of-age romantic drama that follows the journey of a 15-year-old schoolboy named Praveen. The plot explores the typical highs and lows of teenage life, from navigating academic pressure and parental expectations to experiencing the complexities of young love and heartbreak. Alongside Ken Karunas, the movie features Anishma Anilkumar, Priyanshi Yadav, Suraj Venjaramoodu, Devadarshini, and Meenakshi Dinesh in key roles.

Produced by Paarvathaa Entertainments, Youth benefits from a soulful musical score by G. V. Prakash Kumar. The combination of a relatable plot and strong technical support has helped the film resonate with a wide audience, allowing it to maintain a steady theatrical run even after its recent arrival on OTT platforms. The storytelling style seems to have struck a chord with viewers looking for grounded and sincere narratives.

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

In terms of collections, the numbers are quite remarkable for a debut project. The film has earned a net collection of 52.26 Cr+ in India, with the total India gross reaching 59.93 Cr+. On the international front, it has collected 11.40 Cr+ from overseas markets, bringing the grand worldwide total to 71.33 Cr+. Generating over 71 crore from a production budget of 6 crore represents an exceptional return on investment for the makers.

While the film is still playing in select theaters, its success has already established Ken Karunas as a director to watch in the Tamil film industry. The blend of critical praise from industry figures like Rishab Shetty and the strong box office numbers proves that small-budget films can reach massive heights when the story connects with the audience.